Melbourne Heart FC’s positive pre-season preparations continued with a strong 2-0 win over Melbourne Knights at Knights Stadium on Wednesday night.
Melbourne Heart FC’s positive pre-season preparations continued with a strong 2-0 win over Melbourne Knights at Knights Stadium on Wednesday night.
There was no surprise to see in-form striker Dylan Macallister on the score sheet, with David Williams netting the other goal for the Red & White late in the second half.
Melbourne Heart head coach John Aloisi was content with the display and is pleased with the way preparations for the new season are shaping up.
“I thought it was a difficult game but it was a good hit out for a lot of our players. It’s always nice to win, and to keep a clean sheet which is positive.” said Aloisi.
“It was a tough game for us, but we’re still working on a lot of things.”
In an entertaining opening it was Jake Nakic who had the first shot on target, drawing a good save from Heart goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne.
Triallist Jose Guerrero showed a glimpse of his silky skills short afterwards with a great run into the box but unfortunately for the youngster it came to nothing.
On fifteen minutes Jake Nakic played a brilliant through ball to Kayne Vincent but Patrick Gerhardt’s last ditch tackle stopped the striker from getting away a shot on goal.
Melbourne Heart took the lead just three minutes later thanks to Macallister, scoring his seventh goal so far this pre-season.
Guerrero played in a fantastic cross from the right flank, finding Macallister who made no mistake to head Heart into an early lead.
Neither side managed to create any clear cut chances for the rest of the half with the scores remaining 1-0 to Heart heading into the break.
Jonathan Germano, who was making his first appearance this pre-season, came off at half-time in place of Sam Mitchinson, the only change made by Aloisi.
Macallister almost found a second goal just minutes after the beginning of the second period but his close range shot was blocked off the line by a Knights defender.
Gerhardt almost opened his account for Heart with a looping header from a free-kick but it was tapped onto the crossbar and out by Knights goalkeeper Aaron Romein.
Shortly after the hour mark John Aloisi decided it was time to make a number of changes, bringing on David Vrankovic, Golgol Mebrahtu, Jacob Poscoliero, Zac Walker and Fred in place of Gerhardt, Macallister, Guerrero, Jason Hoffman and Michael Marrone.
The Knights began to press for an equaliser and managed to squeeze a few opportunities but to no avail.
David Williams wrapped up the result in the final ten minutes with a well-taken goal from the edge of the area after the Knights gave away possession in a dangerous position.
Vrankovic almost made it 3-0 at the death with an attempt from a corner but his shot was also blocked on the line by a Knights defender.
Melbourne Heart’s next pre-season game is in two weeks time on August 21 against Adelaide United at Epping Stadium. Kick-off is 7.30pm.
