Knights overpower North Pine

David Lems | 7th June 2010


IPSWICH Knights overpowered North Pine 2-0 at Bundamba yesterday.

Ipswich Knights speedster Peter Drager (right) torments the North Pine defence before scoring the goal that sealed his team’s victory at Bundamba yesterday.
Sarah Harvey

IT could have been a master coaching decision or some welcome good fortune.

But for Ipswich Knights mentor Billy Livingstone, it didn't really matter.

All Livingstone was happy about was watching his revitalised team complete back-to-back wins over two of the competition's most dangerous sides.

In overpowering North Pine 2-0 at Bundamba yesterday, the Knights made it four wins in a row after knocking over competition leaders Western Spirit 3-0 a week earlier.

In blustery conditions, top-two contenders Knights opened the second round in fine style.

The home side scored early and late to seal victory over the fast and skilful North Pine side.

Two decisions by Livingstone dramatically changed the shape of the entertaining Division 1 clash.

When regular starter Peter Drager was late in arriving at Eric Evans Oval, Livingstone chose to promote Phil Brown into the run-on side and start his speedster on the bench.

The late move paid dividends with Brown scoring Ipswich's first goal just minutes into the game.

As the exciting, top quality match progressed, either team could have won until another key substitution with 25 minutes remaining.

Livingstone replaced workaholic midfielder Wayne Adams with Drager, who suddenly ignited some dangerous attack up the flanks.

After threatening to score, the Knights finally did when Drager pounced on a rebound from the North Pine keeper after a super shot from Peter Hinks.

Drager's second strike found the net to seal the game with just minutes left.

“At 20 past 2, Drags still wasn't here so I made the tough call (to start Brown instead),” Livingstone said.

“Sometimes it goes that way for you. Other times you make decisions and they backfire. Today it worked.”

Brown didn't let his team down, seizing on the goalmouth cross to give the Knights a perfect start.

An upbeat Livingstone was delighted how his whole team rose to the challenge after inflicting Spirit's first defeat of the season last weekend.

“You can't ask for much more than that in difficult conditions,” Livingstone said.

“North Pine are a good side.

“There's not too many teams that come here and get as much ball as North Pine did. They put us under the hammer a fair bit.

“The wind had a bit to do with that but you've got to play to conditions. We handled it pretty well.

“We stood tall.”

Every Knights player contributed yesterday, with goalkeeper Zayne Freiberg superb and back four Stephen Hughes, Nick Parfitt, Damian Hoffman and Alex Jimmink outstanding.

Strikers Trent Griffiths, Peter Hinks and Ben Hunt never gave up and Lincoln Rule controlled the midfield.

The Knights Reserves also produced a terrific display, beating North Pine 3-0 in what coach Ian Carson rated his team's best win of the season.

Andrew Korner scored twice.
http://www.qt.com.au/story/2010/06/07/knights-rally-after-late-call/