LEONGATHA Knights FC hosted neighbours Korumburra City in the final round of the Gippsland Soccer League prior to finals. The Senior Men’s fixture saw both teams battling it out for the Brian Newey Memorial Shield.
Leongatha’s Oscar Murdoch opened the goal scoring with a stunner that curled beautifully into the corner of the goal. Leongatha’s second goal early in the match came from a breakthrough run from left winger Henry Mbuthia who cut a pass to the finishing foot of captain Luke Knights. Korumburra hit back with a congested finish. A foul in the box from Korumburra’s defender against Leongatha’s Noel O’Donnell saw a penalty converted by the calm foot of Sven Gebele gifting the Knights a confident 3-1 lead at halftime.
Korumburra returned to the pitch with determination, with possession more evenly distributed. A fumble in the Korumburra 18-yard box, saw Henry Mbuthia slotting home the fourth goal for the Knights.
Korumburra were quick to respond with two goals in quick succession.
Man of the match, Charlie Dougherty pulled off two incredible penalty saves during his 100th game for the Knights, proving the game to be another highlight for his Knights career.
The game ended with Leongatha retaining possession of the Brian Newey Memorial Shield and heading to semi finals against Phillip Island next week.
