Underdog Knights threaten upset in Wodonga

By Bethany Milkins

FOR the first time in club history, Leongatha Knights FC entered the Australia Cup, a knockout competition played across the nation, beginning with preliminary stages in each state.

All clubs from across Victoria are eligible to enter the preliminary rounds. 

A live draw televised on YouTube by Football Victoria resulted in the Knights taking on Wodonga outfit Twin City Wanderers to be hosted in Wodonga. 

Despite the significant travel distance, the Knights, with the help of some generous anonymous donations from two incredible individuals, were able to organise and fund their trip to Wodonga to take on Twin City on Saturday February 10. 

The game was hosted at the Latrobe University Campus in Wodonga. 

Leongatha Knights started the match strongly with dominant possession and a high press. 

In the ninth minute of play, new recruit Richard Benedict attacked from the right wing, successfully passing to striker Jethro Alison whose shot on goal was deflected by the opposition keeper right to the feet of Knights midfielder Ethan Bath who slammed it home in the top left corner of the goal to put the underdog Knights in the lead. 

With soaring temperatures and limited substitutions, the Knights were put under pressure in a game they knew would challenge them this preseason. 

Following the first mandatory drinks break, the home team settled into play and began to speed up their game, opting for long balls to their forward line and a more physical approach to midfield play. 

A quality ball played to their striker caught the Knights off guard and saw Twin City secure a goal, putting the teams even at 1-1 going into half time. 

The beginning of the second half saw even play from both teams as the ball played from eighteen yard line to eighteen yard line. 

Twin City picked up its attack, putting the Knights backline under constant pressure. 

John Stephen and Ed Benedict put on a defending masterclass as they chased down through balls. Jack Bainbridge kept the opposition’s strong winger under control, consistently denying him attacking space. 

It was a counter attack by Jethro Alison who was fouled in the 90th minute that awarded Leongatha a potentially game winning penalty. 

Captain Sven Gebele calmly secured the lead for the Knights in the dying minutes of the game by sending the penalty into the net.

However, in the last minute of additional time a foul was called for the opposition resulting in a penalty being converted and sending the game into 30 minutes of extra time. 

A second yellow for one of the Twin City defenders saw the Wanderers reduced to 10 men on the pitch and Leongatha eyeing the advantage and pressing their attack. 

However, a brave attack by the home side in the second half of extra time saw another penalty granted and converted by Twin City, putting it in the lead. 

The Knights fought valiantly to the end and had several chances on goal. 

However, they were unable to secure the goal needed to get them to penalties and finished the game just shy of the win. 

A massive congratulations to the Leongatha Knights FC senior men’s team on an extraordinary game that proved them competitors to watch. 

A huge thank you to the supporters who made the trip and to legendary bus driver Colin for getting the team there and back.