Link to all Southern Knights v ISC Raptors photos
Not a good day at the office for Southern Knights today as they played well below their own standards today and succumbed to 2 well taken goals from ISC Raptors.
Knights opened the game with some hint that they might carry on from where they left off at Munno Para and came close on several occasions to posting a goal against the visitors.
Raptors keeper somehow managed to keep out a sweetly hit attempt from Matt Daughtry. Lyndon Parry and Sandy Neary also came close to getting an opener for Knights.
Knights had a number of changes and rearrangements with in form keeper Mark Kay away with work commitments, David Mooney out with knee damage and Tony Micallef on the bench with soreness.
With reserve keeper Ben "Touch" Vidgeon out with business commitments, Steve Maguire donned the keeper's outfit whilst on the field Chris Bradley, Steve Hawkins and Matt Daughtry started for Knights.
The teams went in at half time at 0-0 and as an observer it seemed like Raptors might catch Knights out on the counter attack.
Joseph DiGiacomi, Tony Petrou and Ben Matthews were causing Knights a few headaches.
After the break Knights struggled to finish off some good moves and midway through the half DiGiacomo broke free on the left and sent in a cross that was met with a firm header and found the back of Knights net...0-1 to Raptors.
Tony Micallef replaced Tom Jolly and he immediately began to show tenacity and troubled the Raptors defence.
Once again Raptors were able to send in a well weighted ball and once again they were able to convert and establish a 0-2 lead with about 15 minutes to go.
Although Knights had several chances, including hitting the crossbar, Raptors keeper was always in the right spot at the right time and they might have had a third goal when Matty Harrison cleared off (or possibly behind) the line.
Sandy Neary was an early problem for Raptors as he broke down the left side,
Meanwhile Tony Petrou and Ben Matthews looked in good touch for Raptors.
Matt Daughtry rises and gets head to ball in the Raptors goal mouth.
Matty Harrison , Lyndon Parry and Lee White watch as Steven Hawkins controls and clears for Knights.
Joseph DiGiacomi causing a little concern for Knights.
A good grab by Raptors keeper diffuses a Knights attack.
Steve Maguire, Steven Hawkins and Lee White watch on as Sandy Neary breaks away on another good run.
James McCance clears for Raptors and the referee hs a bit of a chat with Raptors number 15.
Raptors always looked a threat with some well weighted crosses into Knights area.
A chance goes begging for Knights.
Knights had several opportunities to break the deadline.
Raptors Tony Petrou looks on as Ben Matthews holds off Knights Matt Daughtry and Chris Bradley.
Somehow Raptors keeper keeps out a well hit shot from Matt Daughtry.
Tony Petrou closes down Chris Bradley.
Matty Harrison continued his good form for Knights....Tony Petrou aknowledges a close effort from Ben Matthews.
Steve Maguire gathers in another well weighted Raptors cross.
Raptors take the lead.
Raptors celebrate taking the lead.
Knights go close to drawing level.
Tony Micallef immediately causing concern for James McCance....Raotors defend in numbers to keep Sandy Neary at bay.
Raptors stretch their lead to 0-2 with a well taken header.
Raptors keeper and Ben Matthews were amongst their best players on the day.
After striking the cross bar the ball falls awkwardly for Sandy Neary and is cleared by Raptors.
Reserves - Southern Knights ( 2 ) ISC Raptors ( 3 )
Southern Knights Reserves were caught out today by a Raptors side that played a good short passing game marshalled at the rear by the experienced Ange Pezos.
Due to business commitments Knights were without keeper Ben "Touch" Vidgeon and had 4-5 changes from the previous weeks team.
I was called into the fray and suffered my first loss in 14.5 years (having only played 2 games in that time !).
Raptors first goal came from a deflected shot and Knights had opportunities to level the score on several occasions as Steve Vickerman got on the end of Paul Thompsons corners and Leigh Harrison created openings down Raptors left hand side.
Raptors always looked dangerous as the passed the ball around at the edge of Knights box but Paul Uzzel cleared on many occasions.
After the break Knights began to put together more passes and levelled the score at 1-1 through Paul Thompson from the penalty spot.
Knights went ahead about five minutes later with a well taken goal from John Hargreaves, but Raptors were able to level the game with a "soft" goal as the sun created difficulties from balls crossed in from Knights left hand side.
Raptors once again worked the ball well through midfield and regaine the lead with another shot coming in from the left that I didn't get enough hand to.
Raptors ran out 2-3 winners.
Richard Kemp watches on as Steve Vickerman and Andre Rickers rise to head a Paul Thompson corner.
Steve Vickerman again causes problems in the Raptors area.
Raptors attack Knights goal but it sails over the cross bar.
Raptors sheilded the ball well on the edge of Knights area.
Previous pictorial reports.
Round 13 - Munno Para ( 0 ) Southern Knights ( 4 )
Round 12 - Southern Knights ( 4 ) San Marco ( 0 )
Round 11 - Southern Knights ( 1 ) Tea Tree Gully ( 1 )
Round 10 - Adelaide Vikings ( 4 ) Southern Knights ( 1 )
Round 9 - Modbury Vista ( 1 ) Southern Knights ( 2 )
Round 8 - Southern Knights ( 4 ) Para Hills East ( 2 )
Round 7 - Elizabeth Grove ( 2 ) Southern Knights ( 3 )
Round 6 - Southern Knights ( 3 ) West Beach ( 4 )
Round 5 - ISC Raptors ( 2 ) Southern Knights ( 2 )
Round 4 - Southern Knights ( 2 ) Munno Para ( 5 )
Round 3 - San Marco ( 1 ) Southern Knights ( 0 )
Round 2 - Tea Tree Gully ( 1 ) Southern Knights ( 1 )
Round 1 - Southern Knights ( 2 ) Adelaide Vikings ( 2 )
Cup Round 3 - Southern Knights ( 7 ) Sturt Marion ( 0 )
Cup Round 3 - Adelaide Wanderers ( 0 ) Elizabeth Downs ( 1 )
Cup Round 2 - Southern Knights ( 3 ) San Marco ( 1 )
Cup Round 1 -Southern Knights ( 7 ) Adelaide Monarchs ( 0 )
The way the pres was talking after these incidents I thought the B ref was going to put in the reds, obviously mistaken.
