Knights’ striker grabs chance

David Lems | 5th July 2010


IT was several weeks in the making but dependable Ipswich Knights player Andrew Korner fired up in the cold with a sensational four-goal haul on Saturday night.

IT was several weeks in the making but dependable Ipswich Knights player Andrew Korner fired up in the cold with a sensational four-goal haul on Saturday night.

Starting in only his third Division 1 game this season, Korner capitalised on his opportunity to lead the Knights to a 5-2 victory over The Gap.

Last season, Korner (pictured) scored a hat-trick and bagged four goals against Albany Creek in separate games.

However, this year he's had to play a waiting game for a first-grade start.

With number one striker Trent Griffiths injured on Saturday night, playmaker Peter Hinks on the bench and dangerous attacker Peter Drager away, Korner seized his chance.

“I know when Griffo and Hinksy come back, it's going to be hard to get a game,” Korner, 27, said.

“When I do get the chance, I've got to do something.”

Korner did that on Saturday night, scoring his first flurry of goals in top grade this season. That added to the 10 he has netted in Reserve grade, where Korner is the club's leading scorer.

Korner's latest haul was particularly satisfying on a chilly night at Walton Bridge Reserve.

“I felt pretty fit last night,”' Korner said yesterday, having regained match fitness in recent weeks.

“I think it's the colder weather. I enjoy it a bit more.”

Korner's second goal on Saturday night was sizzling – struck sweetly from a standing spot with his left foot into the top corner.

However, his third and fourth goals were equally important to finish the job.

The home team had controversially equalised 2-2 in a game where Knights coach Billy Livingstone was unhappy with the performance of a linesman.

“Because of decisions this linesman was making, it had the potential for the game to boil over,” Livingstone said.

“But credit to both teams. They realised that this linesman was just having a shocking night.

“The referee actually handled it reasonably well.”

Through the sideline drama, Korner kept focused. He wanted to keep playing, even after netting his hat-trick.

Livingstone was glad he let Korner play on, to score his fourth goal in the final minutes. “I'm really happy for him. He deserves it,” Livingstone said.

“He has been really patient this year, only given one or two opportunities because other players have been in good form.

“He grabbed it with both hands. He played exceptionally well.”

Korner is also the player who leads the team's dressing room chants after victories in first or Reserve grade.

While he had plenty to cheer about on Saturday night, Korner shared his success with hard-working Knights forward Phil Brown, who scored his side's third goal early in the second half.

“I've got to give credit to Brownie and Flick (midfielder Matt Flick) as well,” Korner said. “Flick especially. I think that was one of his best games in a while.

“His movement off the ball was really good and he always seemed to be running off me somewhere.”

Livingstone conceded he faced some tough selection decisions in coming weeks with Korner playing strongly.

Saturday night's win kept the Knights in touch with the top two, helped by Rocklea upsetting former leaders North Pine 1-0 and Slacks Creek upstaging University 1-0.



http://www.qt.com.au/story/2010/07/05/football-knights-korner-sizzles-against-gap/