Knights dispatch of Warriors with first half double
By LOU VERGA
Photo MATT JOHNSON
Melbourne Knights have comfortably defeated sister club North Geelong Warriors 2-0 at Knights Stadium on Sunday to take out the Stipe Tabak Cup.
Coming off a heavy defeat to Oakleigh last week, the Knights did their damage in the first half as goals from Stipo Andrijasevic and Chris Talajic proved the difference.
Ivan Grgic provided the first effort on target in the 14th minute with a towering header that goalkeeper Daniel Zilic showed quick reflexes to palm away.
Three minutes later Knights had the lead.
Andirjasevic was allowed to dribble through a hole in the Warriors defence before smashing a shot into the bottom corner for his first league goal this season.
Zilic made another fine save to deny Andrew Barisic’s header in the 26th minute before the Knights striker couldn’t keep his shot down when connecting with Robbie Zadworny’s accurate cross.
But the home side doubled their lead in shortly after the half hour mark.
Andrijasevic turned provider this time, feeding Talajic who was in space down the left. The winger collected the ball and fired a low shot past Zilic.
Yusuf Yusuf was the Warriors’ biggest threat in the first half and nearly pulled one back on the stroke of half time only for Chris May to smother the close-range shot.
The second half offered fewer chances as the Knights held on to their advantage.
Matt Townley saw a free kick fly narrowly wide of the top corner for the visitors, while substitute Rodrigo Covarrubias nearly scored a goal of the season contender with a spectacular overhead volley that dipped a fraction too late.
It was in the end a comfortable day for Andrew Marth’s side who reaffirmed their position in fourth.
Match details:
Melbourne Knights 2 (Andrijasevic 17’, Talajic 32’) defeated North Geelong Warriors 0 at Knights Stadium
Melbourne Knights: 1. Chris MAY, 12. Ivan GRGIC, 5. Milan BATUR, 6. Tomislav USKOK, 11. Anthony COLOSIMO, 7. Chris TALAJIC (14. Rodrigo COVARRUBIAS 70’), 4. Ben SUREY, 8. James McGARRY, 17. Robbie ZADWORNY, 21. Stipo ANDRIJASEVIC, 27. Andrew BARISIC (10. Marijan CVITKOVIC 63’)
Yellow card(s): Uskok 23’, Batur 83’
Red card(s): None
North Geelong: 1. Daniel ZILIC, 17. Nicholas JURCIC, 16. Michael GRGIC, 5. Matt TOWNLEY, 6. Josh PUGH, 8. Vito CICHELLO, 7. Reardo LUKA, 15. Nikola JURKOVIC, 10. Yusuf YUSUF (23. Michael ANDERSON 57’), 9. Ridvan SAGLAM (19. Stipe TRBUHOVIC 88’), 14. Gareth RICHARDS
Unused substitutes: 2. Darren LEWIS, 21. Matija DRAGOVIC, 31. Hamish FLAVELL
Yellow card(s): None
Red card(s): None
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