Knights in tough draw with Jets

The NZ Knights Hyundai A-League campaign is underway and the North Harbour based club is on the ladder following a hard fought and at times tense 0-0 draw with Newcastle Jets tonight (Sunday).

It was not a dour goalless draw however, with both sides having chances to win the game and in the case of the Knights, testing the woodwork. Jonti Richter drove his right footed shot onto the cross bar in the 11th minute but it was to be the closest either side got to troubling the scoreboard attendant.

It was a game with plenty of feeling and a physical edge that was well contained by referee Simon Przydacz, although there were many in the ground wondering just how Shane Webb stayed on the park after a cynical and late charge on Michael White after the young Kiwi had beaten the Jets fullback down the right wing.

Knights Manager Paul Nevin went with a 4-5-1 formation with Sean Devine operating in a lone striking role. Support for Devine was too often slow in coming, leaving the combative front runner battling against the odds and the opposition. When they did get it right however, the Knights gave the 7,000 strong crowd every hope that goals will come with Malik Buari, Richter and Neil Emblen threatening when making runs from midfield.

Newcastle threatened on occasion and when they did it was usually in the form of quick striker Joel Griffiths.

On the occasions he did stay onside however he was either wide of the target or dealt with by Knights keeper Danny Milosevic (in for Mark Paston due to his registration not coming through in time) who had a strong game.

The pace and intensity of the game was best illustrated when in the dying stages captain Darren Bazeley went down with cramp.

It was hardly a surprise for the skipper after another stellar performance up and down the right flank.

The fullback was either defending strongly or pushing forward to deliver telling crosses, many of which resulted in close calls for the Jets defence.

The Knights had calls for a penalty turned down when Sean Devine appeared to turn two Jets defenders deep in the penalty area but before he could get his shot away was bundled down. Devine was adamant after the match that he had been 'assisted' to the ground but his case found no allies with the officials.

The Knights will now regroup and look to a first home win against Adelaide United at North Harbour Stadium next Saturday, kick off 12:30pm.

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