Doncaster v Knox City

Doncaster Rovers 1 Knox City 1 (Half-time 1-1)

The final match of the season saw fourth play fifth with only pride at stake and a competitive match it was with no quarter asked or given.

Both sides were depleted by suspension and injuries but this did not detract from the entertaining nature of the game. Rovers were the better side in the first half but the game evened up as it progressed.

Ardesi and Nasser both had long range efforts for Doncaster before Know took the lead against the run of play in the 13th minute. Saunders, who has made a trade mark with his headed goals since joining Knox met a left wing corner at the far post to give Pappas no chance.

Jorgensen came to Knox’s rescue almost immediately when he made a great save to palm a shot from Stefanidis onto the crossbar.

Doncaster were playing enterprising football and stretching the young Knox backline. Martinez recovered and cleared off his goal line after Alessandrino had bustled him off the ball and rounded Jorgensen.

The Doncaster pressure was rewarded with an excellent equaliser two minutes later when Stefanidis received a cross from Nasser with his back to goal. He controlled the ball and scored with a well executed overhead shot that gave Jorgensen no chance.

Stefanidis almost gave the home side the lead close to half-time when his angled header drifted wide of the far post.

Just after the break, Santoro whistled a 25 metre shot just over the bar. Then, at the other end, Pappas had to go full length to save from Nick Veljovic.

The end to end play continued when Alinjad’s first touch in the area allowed Jorgensen to save after Stefanidis had played a delightful ball over the defence.

Both sides were going for the win and Saunders shot over from 20 metres when he had more time than he realised and could have taken the ball closer to goal. Then Hingert latched on to an error by Vukadin and hit the side netting when a cross may have been the better option.

In the end neither side could find that extra bit to break open the game and it finished all square with both teams looking forward to next season.

Doncaster Rovers: M. Pappas, J. Vukadin, A. Macinkovic, M. Wilson, M. Santoro, R. Nasser, S. Alinjad, R. Ardesi (M. De Angelis – 55th), Z. Stefanidis, T. Alessandrino, M. Dal Ben. Subs not used –L. Kefalianos, J. Haitidis, D. Sahinidis.

Knox City: M. Jorgensen, M. McCluskey, E. Becirovic (H. Swami - 46th),   Z. Martinez, M. Coates, N. Giannopoulos, J. Hingert, L. Grubic (G. Moon – 73rd), A. Saunders, N. Veljovic, D. Veljovic (K.Suat – 59th). Sub not used – K. McEvoy.