By Steven Chang @Gixibyte

South Melbourne emerged as the victor in a goal fest against Melbourne Knights at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday, winning 4-3.

After a leisurely opening to the traditional rivalry contest, it was the home side who fashioned the first genuine chance, as Milos Lujic was put through on goal but was denied by Chris May’s nimble reflexes.

South’s penetration paid dividends, producing an early lead when Shaun Timmins was set up with all the time in the world to cut past his marker and compose himself to lash the ball home, putting South 1-0 up.

The Knights responded with style, as Marijan Cvitkovic swiveled to unleash an exquisite volley, but Jason Saldaris dived acrobatically to palm it away to safety.

Soon afterwards, the visitors clinically leveled the scores as Daniel Visevic delivered a square ball to the in-form Stipo Andrijasevic, who calmly placed his shot past Saldaris.

However, only two more minutes had elapsed until South roared into the lead again after Jamie Reed ghosted in behind the Knights backline and latched onto a booming goal kick by Saldaris, sneaking the ball home past an onrushing Chris May who had scrambled off his line to no avail. 

Although the home side had commanded much of the first half, Tomislav Uskok’s sharp glancing header off a corner provided a flash of opportunity for the Knights.

South continued to push determinedly and just moments prior to half time, South's top scorer Lujic pounced on Tyson Holmes’ miscued attempt on goal to tap the ball into the net, boosting the home side to 3-1 going into the break. 

The second stanza initially unfolded in an unremarkable manner, until an ambitious overhead kick by Jamie Reed threatened to spice up the proceedings.

Knights substitute Kovacic was handed an aerial chance with his first touch off the bench but his header whistled narrowly over the woodwork. 

A pinpoint cross delivered by Alinejad presented Andrijasevic with a golden opportunity for the Knights, but he could only direct his header into the ground and wide of the post. 

With ten minutes remaining, the Knights clawed back a late goal through a searing left-footed rocket which flew off Alinejad’s boot and blasted past Saldaris’ outstretched fingertips.

There were a number of close shaves for both sides as the contest drew to a close, but the Knights’ late urgency could not produce the desired results.

Lujic seemed to have sealed the game in the ninetieth minute as he was found free of markers at the far post to fire home South’s fourth goal.

In the dying minutes, Alinejad took two bites of the cherry, seeing his first attempt saved, but showcasing his agility to follow up for his second goal of the night.

Sadly for the visitors, time had run out and South returned to the dressing rooms to bask in the warmth of another three points.

South’s winning coach Chris Taylor acknowledged his rivals’ efforts, but was more than happy to claim the spoils.

“The Knights never say die. They’re never going to give up. Full credit to them,” Taylor said.

“We made hard work of it. We had plenty of chances. But four goals, you can’t complain! We’ll take the points and move on.”

His opposite number, Andrew Marth, expressed a mixed view of the contest. 

“Lack of concentration. We gifted them those goals. But we played exceptionally well to get our goals,” Marth said.

“We’ve lost seven or eight players from our starting eleven. But we’ve made some good signings and it’s all coming to fruition now.”

MATCH DETAILS:

South Melbourne 4 (Timmins 13’, Reed 32’, Lujic 45’ 90’) defeated Melbourne Knights 3 (Andrijasevic 30’, Alinejad 84’ 92’) at Lakeside Stadium.

SOUTH MELBOURNE: 1. Jason SALDARIS, 2. Tim MALA, 4. Michael EAGAR, 7. Nick EPIFANO, 9. Milos LUJIC, 10. Tyson HOLMES, 12. Iqbal JAWADI, 14. James MUSA, 17. Jamie REED, 25. Shaun TIMMINS (11. Bradley NORTON 86’), 77. Stephen HATZIKOSTAS. 

UNUSED SUBSTITUTES: 3. Andrew MULLETT, 8. Mathew THEODORE, 18. Dion KIRK, 21. Chris MAYNARD.

YELLOW CARDS: Iqbal JAWADI 70’, Nick EPIFANO 76’, Tim MALA 78’, Tyson HOLMES 92’.

RED CARDS: None. 

MELBOURNE KNIGHTS: 1. Chris MAY, 3. Sam TORRENS (2. Chris STEFANI 68’), 5. Milan BATUR (13. Antun KOVACIC 60’) 6. Tomislav USKOK, 7. Daniel VISEVIC, 9. Stipo ANDRIJASEVIC, 10. Marijan CVITKOVIC, 11. Jordan O’DOHERTY, 12. Ivan GRGIC, 14. Michael DOYLE, 19. Shayan ALINEJAD.

UNUSED SUBSTITUTES: 8. Leo ATHANASIOU,18. Nik SRBINOVSKI, 25. Michael O’FARRELL.

YELLOW CARDS: Michael DOYLE 53’, Antun KOVACIC 63’. 

RED CARDS: None.

Image credit: Cindy Nitsos