When Tigers FC’s Ed McCarthy ghosted unmarked into the penalty area to thump a header into the back of the O’Connor Knights net on Saturday 20 May 2023, there would have been very few who would have predicted what would happen next. Eleven points from twenty-one available, and an exit from the Australia Cup Qualifying in Round 4 at the hands of Gungahlin United, had the Knights struggling for consistency.
And yet, those within the corridors of power at O’Connor Enclosed knew they had something simmering away beneath the surface. Head Coach Miro Trninic had revitalised the squad in the summer off-season, securing a quartet of defensive talent to shore up what had been a leaky rearguard.
The following week saw that unit stymie Canberra Croatia in the derby, securing a clean sheet, something that would become almost second nature in the months ahead, whilst netting a winning goal from Aisosa Ihegie in the opposite net. The three points set in motion a run that just kept on delivering.
Knights started to become harder to beat, starting to win games with a regularity, playing some outlandish, stylish, speedy football that was easy on the eye and made them become a must-watch at grounds throughout the region. The highest of highs being an evisceration of West Canberra Wanderers at their O’Connor Enclosed home, eight goals to the good at half-time only a declaration saving the Wanderers from further woe.
Even when the going got tough, and there were moments when the run might have ended prematurely, the Knights responded. Two-down at home to their local rivals Croatia in the return derby? No problem, a 97th minute free-kick from Regan Walsh rescuing a point.
Needing a win to secure the League Championship trophy the Knights, whilst others faltered around them, found it. James Driscoll the unlikely match-winner in the 1-0 win away to Gungahlin United at the Australian Institute of Sport, the result that meant the league crown would head to Trninic and his team.
The Grand Final may have ultimately been a bridge too far for this young and expansive side, but it was only the penalty shoot-out heroics from Croatia number one Sam Brown that prevented the double from heading into Knights hands. Still, the number one spot and the title a year after promotion and on the back of sixteen unbeaten matches, was some consolation.
This season started with silverware. A 2-0 win over Canberra Croatia in the Charity Shield offering some sort of redemption for the Grand Final loss, the reality being that maybe only a win on the big day might totally erase that pain. The win at Deakin Stadium however, set them on the course they now find themselves rigidly following.
An Australia Cup Qualifying blockbuster of a Semi-Final against unbeaten Gungahlin United to look forward to. A run of eight successive wins at the start of the campaign to get them there and to keep up with the express pace the Gunners have started the season with.
There have been many sides labelled with the term ‘legendary’ throughout the years at Capital Football, but few have dazzled, or shone as brightly, as the Knights. They deserve their place in the pantheon of the great sides, and will feel that, right now, anything is possible.
Twenty-four matches unbeaten, and with three trophies still to play for, are we witnessing the beginning of a true Knights dynasty? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain, it’s a been a pleasure watching this team evolve over the past twenty-four months, and the sky may be the limit.
THE KNIGHTS IN NUMBERS
24
Matches their unbeaten streak now stands at. The team did lose the Grand Final to Canberra Croatia on penalties, but that game is officially recorded as a draw.
365
Days it has been since the Knights last lost a competitive game in Capital Football competition (Tigers FC, R7, 20/05/2023).
22
Wins that the Knights have posted since their last defeat.
66
Goals that the Knights have scored in their unbeaten run.
13
Clean sheets that they have kept in the unbeaten streak.
Tuesday 21 May 2024
AUSTRALIA CUP QUALIFYING SEMI-FINAL
O’Connor Knights v Gungahlin United
(Gungahlin Enclosed, 18:30)
Live on BarTV football at bartv.com.au
