By Sean Ellicott (@SeanEllicott)

Kingston City has jumped into second spot on the PlayStation NPL 1 East table following an enthralling eight-goal spectacle at the Grange Reserve on Saturday night.

The hosts overturned a 2-1 deficit at the break, netting four times in the second half to run away as comprehensive 5-3 victors over Ballarat Red Devils.

It was one of those evenings for James Robinson’s charges, as the Reds conceded two own goals, including a penalty to add to its sorrows.

After a busy start from both sides, Kingston’s Sean McIlroy made the break through on 17 minutes.

Hamish Milar provided the final touch for the Englishman, as the striker – from 12 yards - buried home his 12^th goal of the domestic campaign.

Michael Trigger however hit back for the visitors only 60 seconds later.

Striking the wall, the number ten’s free kick deflected up and over keeper Douglas Lindberg into the back-of-the-net.

Simon Murphy was next to try his luck for the Devils, directing his volley just wide of the upright, while at the other end, Jemal Clarke came agonizingly close to steering his attempt into Aaron Romein’s bottom corner.

Murphy nonetheless made amends for his earlier miss on the half-hour mark, converting a swift counter attack at the back post.

Igniting the offensive, Murphy distributed wide to Trigger, who squared his delivery via Dominic Swinton for the winger the finish.

The crossbar soon after spared Kingston of conceding a third, as Trigger cannoned his attempt into the woodwork.

A huge second half display however saw Kingston wrestle the contest away from its opponents.

Attacking the ground’s ‘social club’ end, City buried four goals in the space of 15 minutes to take the result well and truly out of the hands of a stunned Ballarat.

Stelios Konstantinidis opened the floodgates as the crafty winger struck his effort towards goal, only for Reds defender Daniel Firth to divert the ball into his own net.

With the momentum soaring, Ben Osei-Safo handed Kingston the lead shortly after, lunging at the back post to convert McIlroy’s cross.

It was to be the attacker’s last involvement however, making way for substitute Gino Defeo after sustaining an injury the moment he found the back-of-the-net.

Two minutes later Aaron Romein fouled Konstantinidis inside the area, allowing Andrew Doig to slam home Kingston’s fourth of the night from the spot.

Defeo then completed the enormous turn around with just over a quarter-of-an-hour to play, as the striker’s venomous shot took a wicked deflection, leaving Aaron Romein stranded on his line.

Red Devils substitute Ibrahim Ghulami added a late consolation for his side, latching onto a disputed ball on the edge of the penalty area, before slotting low to Lindberg’s right.

 

Match details

Kingston City 5 (McIlroy 17’, Osei-Safo 66’, Doig 70’, OG x2) defeated Ballarat Red Devils 3 (Trigger 18’, Murphy 30’, Ghulami 90+1’) at Grange Reserve [HT 1-2] [U20s 5-0].

Kingston City XI: 13. Douglas LINDBERG (GK), 2. George STAVRIDIS, 3. Jemal CLARKE, 4. James KAREVLIS, 7. Benjamin OSEI – SAF0 (18. Gino DEFEO 67’), 8. Deniz SABANOVSKI, 9. Sean McILROY (12. Lucas MOIEY 90’), 11. Stelios KONSTANTINIDIS, 15. Hamish MILAR (5. Nicholas TEICHMANN 65’), 16. Nicholas STAMATIOU, 19. Andrew DOIG.

Unused Substitutes: 24. Peter KOUNDANIS (GK), 22. Steve FERGADIOTIS.

Yellow Cards: Stavridis (56’), Stamatioi (80’), Clarke (90’)

Red Cards: None.

Ballarat Red Devils XI: 1. Aaron ROMEIN (GK), 2. David KING, 6. Liam HARDING (33. Josh DE VOUGEL 71’), 10. Michael TRIGGER, 13. Daniel FIRTH, 15. Dominic SWINTON (11. Ibrahim GHULAMI 83’), 17. Shaun ROMEIN21. Charles KING, 22. Patrick KARRAS (20. James KING 17’), 23. Daniel TINKER, 31. Simon MURPHY.

Unused Substitutes: 40. Jason HILL (GK), 28. Callum FERGUSON.

Yellow Cards: None.

Red Cards: None.