Diamond Valley v Knox City

Diamond Valley 2 Knox City 1 (Half-time 2-0)

Two first half goals and a missed second half penalty allowed Diamond Valley to edge out Knox City in a pulsating top of the table clash at Partington Flats on Saturday.

It was a game of two halves as the home side capitalised on their chances in the first half to take a comfortable lead into the break, whilst the visitors has by far the better of the second half and could easily have come away with a share of the points.

Playing down the slope, Valley was quicker out of the blocks and penned Knox in its own half for the first part of the game. They took the lead in the 13th minute when a left wing corner was driven to the far post where a free header sent the ball back across the face of the goal and Muratbegovic had the simplest of tasks to head the ball home for an early lead. This was the first time this season that Knox had been behind in a game.

It took Knox 20 minutes to get into the game but they came back with some enterprising play and they created three chances which they failed to take. On the other hand, Valley made the most of their chances and they doubled the lead in the 34th minute.

A softish free kick was awarded to the home side on the edge of the area and the resultant free kick was only parried by Jorgensen and Love reacted quickest to score from close range.

The home side could have increased its lead when Montagnese thundered a 30 metre shot against the crossbar. Half time was more welcome to the visitors.

The second half was a different story as Knox came out and attacked from the start. Their reward came in the 50th minute when Saunders rose above everyone to head home a right wing corner. Valley then had to withstand 10 minutes of intense Knox pressure, but they did and started to create some counter attacks as Knox went looking for the equaliser.

It looked to have arrived in the 70th minute when Edgar was brought down in the area. Saunders’ spot kick was however well saved by Tepe in the Valley goal. The save lifted the home side and they looked dangerous on the break. Laing had a couple of excellent long range efforts as Knox continued to search for the equaliser.

Nick Veljovic and Edgar were pushed further forward for Knox to no avail and Diamond Valley was able to see out time, albeit under severe pressure, to take a clear lead at the top of the table.

Diamond Valley Reserves won the opener 2-1 as Knox slumped to its third loss in four games.

Diamond Valley: Tepe, Kara, De Santis, Montagnese, Simsek, Muratbegovic, Laing, Love, Wilhelm (Uyanik -46th), Kermanidis (Pistininzi – 75th), Guiliano (Unwin – 87th). Subs not used: Dixon, Pace.

Knox City: M. Jorgensen, G. Dos Santos, A. Edgar, D. Perazic, G. Moon (M. Hoogendyk – 60th), N. Giannopoulos, J. Hingert (W. Stolke – 61st), A. Saunders, N. Veljovic, P. Veljovic (M. Coates – 75th), K.Suat (Red Card – 90th). Sub not used – K. McEvoy.