The Melbourne Knights’ up and down National Premier League season continued on Friday night.
After a slow start, the Knights had come away with points in their last three matches, including two wins, before Friday’s match against Hume.
Speaking before Friday night’s match with Hume City, which was after deadline, coach Ben Surey said it was nice to finally start to see some reward for effort.
“It was a difficult start losing the first two games and we had a bit of a wake up call against Port Melbourne,” he said.
“It’s been really pleasing since then, we’re heading in a good direction and played some really good football.
“The last three weeks we could have had a really good goal difference if we’d been able to score.”
Surrey in his first season as coach said they knew it was going to take some time to come together with a new squad
He said it had taken a bit longer than they would have liked. One of the areas that Surey knows they need to continue to improve is converting on the scoreboard.
“The first two weeks we were struggling to create chances and it was a real focus for us,” he said.
“Now we’re creating a lot of chances, it’s just the final ball and final finishing.
“When we’re able to achieve that, it’ll be good to watch.”
The Knights were in action on Friday against Hume City, which despite four wins from its first six games, had a coaching game during the week.
Surey said before that game that had expected a tough challenge, which was made a little harder by the coaching change.
Hume showed that the coaching change made no difference, winning the match 5-2.
There is no NPL action this weekend due to Easter, but the Knights will still be in action in the Australia Cup.
The Knights, in their first match of the knockout tournament, drew fellow NPL side South Melbourne.
Surey said they were hoping for a big crowd on Thursday night.
“Hopefully we’ll get a bit of crowd for the tie,” he said. “There’s not many other NPL side meeting each other.
“It’s a big draw for us and looking forward to it.”
Tara Murray
