Wanneroo City SC 2 Western Knights 2 Written by Daniel Bodycoat
Western Knights went to Wanneroo City SC in Round 3 of the Football West Division 1 competition, hoping to build on the momentum from their impressive game against Bunbury. However, it would not be the fairytale opening that they would have wished for.
Steve Purton and Paul Lloyd flourished on the wings for Western Knights in the first half and their dominant play created many of the Knights’ best opportunities. Almost all the play was in the Knights attacking half and they continued with their persistent pressure.
Against the flow of play, Wanneroo sent a long ball deep into the Western Knights box and with all the players caught on their heels, the ball smacked against the post and fell to a Wanneroo strikers foot. He delicately maneuvered around a defender and placed it past Knights keeper.
A wayward backwards pass from the Knights midfield would allow Wanneroo a 2 goal lead. The pass was intercepted and then rolled across the 6 yard box before being tapped in.
The frustration experienced due to the Western Knights first half was eased as a corner was flicked on at the near post and then poked through by Jonny Mirco.
In the closing minutes of the half, a dazzling run from Steve Purton was stopped by a crude challenge but Knights still had a chance to equalize from the free kick. Paul Lloyd took the kick from around 30 yards and the ball rocketed into the bottom corner. The game would end 2-2 at half time.
The second half was far less dramatic. Whilst all the play was going toward the Wanneroo goal, a distinct lack of quality from Western Knights would prevent them from getting the lead. The game would therefore end in an anticlimactic draw.
The Western Knights Club will be disappointed with this result, although in reflection, the team will know that they have to improve in the future to grab all three points.