Melbourne Knights rally from three goals down to share points with Avondale

Trailing by three goals, it looked like Melbourne Knights were all but finished but one key substitution flipped the game and inspired a thrilling comeback.

Gian Albano in action for Melbourne Knights.

Down three goals to nil, Melbourne Knights’ difficult start to the NPL Victoria season looked set to continue on Friday night.

However, a dazzling comeback and a stoppage time equaliser ensured the Knights snatched a share of the points against reigning premier and champion Avondale at Knights Stadium.

Second half substitute Ciaran Bramwell lifted his team, winning a penalty and scoring the last-gasp 93rd minute equaliser, while he had a shout for a second spot kick contentiously turned down.

Earlier, Saif Sakhi sparked the comeback with a stunning long-range goal – smashing the ball into the top left corner from 30m out.

It’s the Knights first points of the season and breaks the Avengers’ six-game winning streak dating back to last season.

58:40: GOAL! Melbourne Knights score to make it MKFC 1 : AVFC 3.

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Coach Ben Surey said while it was pleasing to grab a point but it could have been more if a penalty had been awarded.

“The game obviously finished quite dramatically and I guess we’re happy to take a point,” he said.

“After the first goal we got a bit of belief and we could have nicked it, especially if we’d got the penalty we should have.

“At 3-2 it was a stonewall penalty, we thought the ref had pointed to the spot but apparently he pointed for a goal kick, I’ve seen it again and I’m not sure why it wasn’t a penalty.

“At half-time and then 3-0 down we obviously would have been happy to take a point.

“It was upbeat (after the game), we needed it, we’ve been lacking a bit of confidence and haven’t started how we wanted to start the season.

“It was a step in the right direction and gives us something to build on.”

Avondale jumped out to a two-goal lead at half-time thanks to Kur Kur and Blake Carpenter.

92:47: GOAL! Melbourne Knights score to make it MKFC 3 : AVFC 3.

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Kur opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a perfectly placed shot that went over Knights’ keeper Chris Oldfield’s shoulder and into the roof of the net.

Carpenter then scored with a delightful free kick from 30m, confusing the Knights defence, which had expected Kristian Trajceski to take it.

Avengers captain Aydin Brice then made it 3-nil, rising above the pack to head home a Trajceski corner with authority.

It saw Surey turn to his bench and bring Bramwell on for midfielder Anthony Duzel.

Sakhi gave his team hope in the 58th minute with a thunderbolt.

In his starting debut for the club, the Frenchman impressed in midfield.

“He came in late in the pre-season but we could see start away he was quality and it was just getting him up to speed and the communication barrier initially,” Surey said.

“He had a great game, he was dangerous on the ball, and he had a similar strike last week that whistled over the crossbar and he’s caught this one even better.”

Then with 10 minutes to go, the game shifted dramatically as Avondale was reduced to 10 men – Carpenter sent off for pulling back Bramwell in the box – and Gian Albano coolly slotted the penalty kick to make it 3-2.

Desperately searching for the equaliser two minutes into stoppage time, Steve Whyte lofted a free kick into the area and Bramwell took his moment perfectly.

With Avondale keeper Tom Manos caught in no-man’s land, Bramwell headed into a vacant net to spark wild celebrations.

“We left it for 10 minutes after half-time, we probably weren’t aggressive enough in the first half to win the ball back high up the pitch,” Surey said.

“We went more aggressive … Ciaran Bramwell came on and made a massive impact, he was explosive, he got in behind, scored one and won the penalty and should have won a second I think.

“A lot of it was just heart, desire and a bit of character from the boys.”

After coughing up a three-goal lead, Avondale’s night got worse when Dillon Jakupi was shown a red card after the final whistle.

After two losses to open the season, it’s an invaluable point for Knights.

The club will look to open its account fully next week when it travels to St Albans.

However, inspirational captain Ivan Franjic is expected to miss at least two more weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in Round 1.

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“He had a mild tear in his hamstring and being 37 we’re not going to rush him back but he’s on track,” Surey said.

“He’s jogging again, so he won’t be long, a couple of weeks hopefully.”

Elsewhere on Friday night, Green Gully comfortably took care of promotion-winners Manningham United, 3-1.

Lucas Derrick, Josh Hope and Luca Tevere lead the Cavaliers to victory, while Chris Theodorakopoulos got on the scoresheet for the Blues.