South Springvale v Knox

South Springvale 2 Knox City 0 (half-time 1-0)

South Springvale won this match comfortably, although it took an 89th minute strike to make the game totally safe and keep their title hopes flickering.

The early play was scrappy with neither side getting the upper hand. Neither keeper was called into action until the 20th minute when Jorgensen did well to tip over from Defteros.

A minute later, Souths suffered a blow when Swingler was forced to leave the game with what looked like a damaged shoulder. Shortly after, Knox also had to make a forced substitution when Suat limped off.

Souths started to push forward and Diniotis went close twice in quick succession. Knox was failing to exert any pressure on the opposing midfield and the home side took the lead in the 33rd minute.

A left wing cross to the far post eluded all and seemed to hit Tsesos in the midriff and bounce into the net.

Knox’s best chance came a minute into the second half when Mohammadi raced clear down the right flank into the penalty area but Sango got down well at his feet to avert the danger.

After that, it was all Souths as they were first to the ball and mounted any number of attacks. On another day, Diniotis might have scored a bagful, but when he was on target, Jorgensen was equal to the task, making a number of excellent saves.

Knox tried to push men forward in search of the equaliser, but they came undone when Souths broke in the 89th minute from midfield. Defteros was allowed to run from the half way line to the edge of the area from whence he was able to pick his spot to make it 2-0.

Knox City Reserves won the opener 2-0 to stay four points clear at the top with only two games to go. They can wrap up the league title next week, when Knox is at home to Diamond Valley.

South Springvale: Sango, Vernon, Pearce, Georgoulis, Karaga, Swingler (Tsesos – 19th), Harbis, Palatsides (Mazzeo – 88th), Diniotis, Defteros, Panaghis (Koloskopis -88th). Sub not used: Elefheriou.

Knox City: M. Jorgensen, G. Dos Santos, D. Perazic, Z. Martinez, A. Edgar, M. Coates, N. Giannopoulos, J. Hingert, P. Veljovic (H. Swami -63rd), A. Saunders (G. Mooon – 69th), K.Suat (M. Mohammadi -30th). Sub not used –K. McEvoy.