South Melbourne have secured the first bit of silverware for 2015, earning a come from behind 2-1 victory over rivals Melbourne Knights in the inaugural Commumity Shield played out at Knights Stadium.
It was two masterstroke substitutions from coach Chris Taylor which sealed the Knights fate, as impact players Andy Brennan and Leigh Minopoulos secured late strikes to account for Stipo Andrijacevic’s first half opener.
It proved to be a scrappy first half, with the conditions at Somer Street marring the fluent, slick football the NPL clubs are well capable of playing.
This was however in spite of a bright start by the visitors South who had the ball in the back of the net within the opening seven minutes; Milos Lujic thought he broke the lines, before calmly slotting past Chris May in goals.
The assistant referee’s flag was raised on the far side, much to the dismay of last seasons leading scorer.
He was in the action again just a minute later as Nick Epifano charged through on goal, but was halted by the offside call.
Knights – who suddenly shot into action – broke free on the counter, earning a tenth minute corner, which they capitalised on.
New signing Alex Dao made an immediate impact on his competitive debut, swinging a corner into the area, to which Andrijasevic rose highest to meet, powering a header in just under the crossbar.
While against the run of play, Knights deservedly maintained their lead to the half, with some resolute defending and scornful conditions making South’s expansive game play rather ineffective.
They did continue to create however as Lujic again proved himself a handful, skewing an effort wide from inside the area.
Iqi Jawadi made the most of a half chance on the edge of the area, smashing his effort to the left stick, forcing a stunning fingertip save from May to retain the Knights lead.
An early injury saw Ivan Grigic make way for Nik Srbinovski, with a strikers tackle from Lujic the cause for concern.
Chances were at a premium for both sides, with new signing Kristian Konstantinidis just going wide with a headed effort, before star midfielder Jawadi failed to tap home from some good link up play late in the piece.
With the rain unwavering, and the stadium boisterous, expectations were high for the second half.
Knights took an early move on the contest in the second term, with a pair of golden chances falling to the returning Baresic and Dao, the latter watching his effort cleared off the line by Konstantinidis.
South had a massive chance to equalise on the stroke of half-time, as David Stirton’s deflected effort fell kindly into the path of Lujic, who was thwarted by the bravery Chris May who was sharp off his line.
In their search for an equaliser, South threw their forward options into the fray, and super sub Leigh Minopoulos nearly had that elusive goal with his first touch.
A weaving run on the right flank from Epifano saw the winger earn a yard of space, and he chose to use a free Minopoulos, who forced a save from May.
Knight’s chances fell almost exclusively from set-piece situations, and Andrijasevic tried his best to carve out a brace, with a stunning save from Gavalas denying the forward from 30-yards.
But that proved a scarcity in a South dominated performance, with new boy Andy Brennan finding an 81st minute equaliser.
The substitute ghosted free into the far post, to connect with a lovely floating cross, which set the tone for the last 10 minutes.
South pressed hard, leaving it late to earn the silverware as Minopoulos’ impacted the contest in the best way possible.
The substitute controlled and struck a venomous low strike past May in one fluent moment, with Lujic the man to cushion the ball into his path.
Knights will be disappointed to have lost it in the fashion they did, but there was little doubt the reigning champions deserved the success.
Melbourne Knights 1 (Andrijasevic 10′) defeated by South Melbourne (Brennan 80′, Minopoulos 90+1′) at Knights Stadium
Melbourne Knights: 1. Chris MAY, 12. Ivan GRGIC (16. Nik SRBINOSKI 26′), 10. Marijan Cvitkovic (9. Jacob COLOSIMO 53′), 6. Tomislav USKOK, 7. Stipo ANDRIJASEVIC, 5. Milan BATUR, 11. Anthony COLOSIMO, 8. Josh BERRIOS (18. Josh BREKALO 58′), 15. Alex DAO, 17. Andrew BARESIC, 13. Anthony KATAFORIS
Unused Sub(s): 17. Luke JURIC, 3. Anthony KATAFORIS
Yellow Card(s): Andrijasevic
Red Card(s): Nil
South Melbourne: 1. Peter GAVALAS, 2. Tim MALA (17. Andy BRENNAN 80′), 3. Kristian KONSTANTINIDIS, 4. Michael EAGAR, 5. Luke ADAMS, 6. Bonel OBRADOVIC, 7. Nick EPIFANO (23. Dane MILOVANOVIC 58′), 9. Milos LUJIC, 10. David STIRTON (27. Leigh MINOPOULOS 69′), 11. Brad NORTON, 12. Iqi JAWADI
Unused Sub(s): 15. Cody MARTINDALE, 22. Nikola ROGANOVIC
Yellow Card(s): Lujic 24′
Red Card(s): Nil