The Oakleigh Cannons Football Club are proud to announce a social function at the Kinisi Tavern, 560 Church Street, Richmond on Friday night, 3rd July 2009 from 8.00pm till 11.00pm. Cost is $60 per person and includes Food, Beer, Wine and Soft Drinks. After 11pm enjoy a live Greek band playing till late.

The Oakleigh Cannons have lost the advantage to keep in touch with the top five after failing to score against the Melbourne Knights at Mansion Stadium.

Oakleigh began the match with full out attacking football, creating their first chance to score after just three minutes.

The Cannons play maker Josip Kozic released forward Jerry Karpeh into the penalty box who cut the ball back to Ricky Diaco at the back post but he failed to beat the Knights goal keeper.

The Knights then counter attacked and were unlucky not to have scored just inside the 6 yard box from a perfect cross from the wing but a frail attempt by the Knights new forward player Pulman saved an embarrassing Cannons defence line.

Then a corner from Cannons Josip Kozic set up Billy Damianos for a volley from eighteen yards out but he failed to find the goals.

In the 28th minute a heaving run from Cannons Ricky Diaco set up another chance for Jerry Karpeh but his shot was well saved by the Knights keeper again.

Shortly after that attack, a long ball from Cannons captain, Felix Rosman played a perfect ball to Jerry Karpeh who found himself one-on-one with the Knights keeper and again the ball was saved denying Karpeh several clear opportunities to score.

That basically was an indication of the first half with the Cannons missing at least five clear goal attempts, to the Knights three clear shots on goal leaving the scoreline at half time, nil all.

The Knights came out in the second half with fury and attacked from the whistle nearly scoring twice in as many minutes.

Minutes later a mix up in the Cannons defence between the keeper Adrian Cagalj and defender Stelios Drakos, saw the Knights new comer Pulman alone but again he failed to score.

Pulman must have thought he’d caught Jerry Karpeh's phobia because again Pulman had an open goal beckoning but somehow failed to find the back of the net.

The Cannons were not as smooth going forward as they have been in the last couple of weeks.

The first chance of the second half for the Cannons came late in the 78th minute after an excellent dash into the box from the Cannons Trent Waterson but his finish sailed over the goal crossbar.

With just minutes to play both teams had missed easy opportunity’s to steal all three points.

Again the Knights forward Pulman missed an opportunity with the Cannons keeper out of position but the striker again failed to hit the target.

Deep into injury time, the Cannons almost stole the match when ever-reliable Cannons substitute Juan Nilo accepted a pass from Jerry Karpeh and with only the Knights keeper to beat, he blazed his shot over the bar.

The draw does neither side any favours in their quest for a finals berth.

Karpeh from Oakleigh and Pulman from Melbourne must be wondering what it's like to score goals because all those attempts and no goals to be spoken about, only missed opportunities, must be something that both coaches will have to address during the week if there are any thoughts of finals football.

The only shining light of the match and who could hold his head up high was the Knights goal keeper who displayed perfection throughout the match...well done.

The Cannons next match is at home on Friday night at Jack Edwards Reserve in Oakleigh against the Whittlesea Zebras.

The Oakleigh Cannons need to win this home match as it’s becoming crucially important for collating premiership points and league standings.

 

By:::::::::: Ivan Galjar (  www.ivangaljar.com  )

======================================================================================

 

                            

 

Enter your search terms Submit search form