O’Connor Knights claimed back-to-back Charity Shield victories as the cup holders downed the league Champions, Gungahlin United, 2-1 in a dramatic match at Melrose Synthetic in Woden.
Having taken the lead with eighteen minutes left on the clock after James Driscoll rammed home a loose ball from close range following impressive approach work from substitute Aisosa Ihegie, Knights survived a late scare when Gungahlin had an equaliser ruled out for offside.
Josh Gaspari’s pass into the area was helped on by replacement Charlie D’Addario, spinning off a Knights defender and falling for Gungahlin goalkeeper Aiden Munford who netted from close range, only to be flagged offside denying the custodian the strike and avoiding a penalty shoot-out.
Earlier returning forward Maxx Green had given Gunners the lead, the striker leaping highest to meet a Jack Green dink into the box, outleaping Knights new goalkeeper Kristian Nel to meet the cross and head into the net.
The Knights responded well. After Jack Green had narrowly headed wide at the other end, O’Connor equalised. Michael Adams released Phakedi Manda, the winger’s cross might have been converted by Jenno Ceruti, the forward slicing his shot which felt invitingly for midfielder Vinni Sanchez to clatter home.
That set the scene for the dramatic conclusion where Driscoll’s goal won it, and Munford was denied his goalscoring moment.
MATCH STATISTICS
Gungahlin United 1 (Green 18’) O’Connor Knights 2 (Sanchez 43’, Driscoll 72’)
Gungahlin United: 1. Aiden MUNFORD, 4. Jack GREEN, 9. Maxx GREEN, 11. Augustine BANGURA, 12. Riley BROWN, 13. Bailey DICKINSON, 14. Jayden RIPPON (20. Charlie D’ADDARIO), 17. Sam THOMSON (25. Dennis AYO), 28. Julian SMITH, 30. Nikita BYRNES (88. Jacob KITE), 90. Josh GASPARI
Substitutes: 10. Elia DARWICH, 99. Izac ALVES
O’Connor Knights: 1. Kristian NEL, 22. Christian JUNNA, 3. James LAVELLA, 5. Connor BILL, 7. Michael ADAMS, 8. Vincent SANCHEZ (16. Kobi YARIYARI), 17. Nick DAHL, 18. James DRISCOLL, 11, Phakedi MANDA, 12. Jenno CERUTI (23. Michael JOHN), 21. Niko KRESIC (7. Aisosa IHEGIE)
Substitutes: 19. Sam PALIC, 30. Markus SMITH
REFEREE: Bruno KEHL
ASSISTANT REFEREES: Josh EISER, Harrison CRACKNELL
