The Western Knights followed up their cup semi final win with a strong 2-1 victory over Cockburn City at Nash Field on Saturday.

It was an all-round strong performance by the Knights, who relied on disciplined defending and swift attacking play to get their hard-fought win.

The home side had the first big chance of the game after 11 minutes, but Daniel Micevski’s shot went just over the bar.

Two minutes later George Tchami’s perfectly weighted cross from the right found Anthony Skorich unmarked inside the penalty area. The striker powered a strong header at goal, but Cockburn’s goalkeeper Nick Feeley made a stunning save.

The attacks kept on coming from the Knights. After 26 minutes, Cockburn’s Paul Underwood took down David Annall inside the penalty area. Referee Jeremy Olifant was in no doubt and pointed to the penalty spot.

Anthony Fearon stepped up and put the ball in the lower right corner to give the Knights a 1-0 lead.

The goal spurred Cockburn into action as the away side started to take control of the match.

They equalised in the 39th minute on their first real chance through Pedro Calazans. Aaron Dos Santos broke free on the left wing, whipped a cross into the box and found Calazans totally unmarked, the striker heading the ball in the left corner to make it 1-1.

This was the last of the action before referee Olifant whistled for the break.

Cockburn started the second half optimistically. The team dominated possession and played well, but struggled to create clear chances.

It was a different story with the Knights, who regained the lead in the 60th minute. Skorich was somewhat lucky with his through pass, which deflected off a Cockburn player and into the path of Micevski.

Micevski remained composed and put the ball in net with only goalkeeper Feeley to beat.

The rest of the half was a stern contest between the two teams. The home side constantly went in search for a third goal with Cockburn trying to respond.

It was a frantic ending to the game with the away side almost equalising in stoppage time. Mario De Felice had space and time, but only he knows how he managed to put the ball outside the right post.

Knights coach Ronnie Campbell was delighted with the win.

“I think we were outstanding today, especially in the first half. No disrespect to Cockburn, but it should have been 5-0 at half time.

“I want to give full credit to my players in the second half as well. I thought they played well and they thoroughly deserved the win.

“We’ve been in the relegation zone for a long time, hopefully the result today will get us out of there,” he said.

Teams

Western Knights – GK K. Miller, M. Warmt-Murray, J. Mathers, L. Jukic, D. Annall, S. Ferguson, G. Tchami (I. Zuvela 70), D. Micevski, A. Fearon, T. Skorich, D. Trim.
Subs not used: A. Larkins, M. Allen, M. De Souza, J. Peran.

No bookings.

Cockburn City – N. Feeley, A. Pereira, J. Godfrey, M. De Felice, P. Underwood, D.Gibson (J. Mirco 55), D. De Felice, M. McDonald, P. Natale, A. Dos Santos, P. Calazans (M. Mirco 55).
Subs not used – M. Aleksic, S. McNally, J. De Abreu.

No bookings.

Referee – Jeremy Olifant