Soccer: Knights fall but it's not all gloom

Pre-season cup: NZ Knights 0 Mariners 1

If ever a defeat was encouraging, then the New Zealand Knights' 1-0 loss to the Central Coast Mariners at North Harbour Stadium last night might qualify.

A week after their pathetic 5-0 drubbing by the Queensland Roar, the local team lifted their game and the spirits of the 2269 fans who came back for a second look at the A-League contenders.

The omens weren't promising. The Knights could scarcely raise 11 fit players and the Mariners had beaten Queensland 3-1 in the first round of the Pre-Season Cup.

In the fifth minute, the fans' worst fears were confirmed. The Knights conceded a silly corner when an attempted pass-back eluded goalkeeper Danny Milosevic, who then muffed a clearance from the corner kick and, in a pack of static defenders, Damien Brown stabbed the ball home.

Shortly afterwards defender Ronnie Bull fell awkwardly and hurt his arm and there were sighs of relief from the Knights' staff when he recovered enough for no replacement to be needed.

Gradually the home team began to gain confidence and Xiaobin Zhang should have scored in a goalmouth scramble after a free-kick in the 17th minute. The Knights were also desperately unlucky with a linesman's offside flag as Zhang was clear a few minutes later.

The best chance of an equaliser came in the 37th minute when Sean Devine broke clear on the left. He floated in a perfect cross but Zhang missed his header from close range in front of an open goal.

The second half was a disappointing affair as both teams seemed to tire on the bumpy North Harbour surface and neither could make use of the chances in front of goal.

Nick Mrdja twice missed chances to extend the lead from close range and the visitors' goalkeeper John Crawley made a fine save from a header by Zhang with a couple of minutes to go.

The Knights named only Jeremy Brockie and reserve goalkeeper Glen Moss instead of the usual four players on the bench because the suspension of Danny Hay and a variety of illnesses and injuries have decimated Adshead's squad.

The rules of the Hyundai A-League permit a squad of only 20, even for the Pre-Season Cup and some rapid recoveries will be needed if the Knights are to field their best side for the opening fixture against the Queensland Roar on August 28.

One player missing is striker Simon Yeo, who scored 21 last season for Lincoln City.

It's a talent which has been sadly missing from the Knights' efforts so far this campaign.

New Zealand Knights 0


Central Coast Mariners 1 (Damien Brown). HT: 1-0.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY