Phoenix boost Knights
A-League training leads to FFA Cup progression
A MIDWEEK encounter with the Wellington Phoenix may have been the reason behind the Gold Coast Knights’ 3-0 victory over the Sunshine Coast FC Fire in Saturday’s FFA Cup showdown.
Three of the Knights players – Matthew Schmidt, Jaiden Walker and Oskar Dillon – last week had the opportunity to train with the A-League side while they were on a training camp at Royal Pines. Schmidt was particularly impressive, returning from his brush with the Phoenix to score one of the Knights’ three goals and claim man of the match honours.
“It was a good opportunity for them to show what they can do at the next level and I believe they can take it to that next level if they get the right opportunities and keep improving,” said Knights coach Grae Piddick. The Knights also took the chance to blood 18year-old Bayley Topper in his first team debut at the Croatian Sports Centre.
“He’s been playing really well for us in the under-20s so he deserved a call up,” Piddick said.
“We gave him a short spell to get a taste for the game and he didn’t look out of place.
“It’s good to know that we’ve got players who we can bring in and trust them.”
After drawing a fellow national premier league side in their Round 4 cup match, Piddick was pleased with his team’s methodical performance after winning by just one goal in their most recent encounter.
“I thought we played some really good football in patches,” he said.
“I thought we were really good defensively and our backs didn’t give them many opportunities.”
After making it to the final 32 teams last year, Piddick is hoping that history can repeat itself in 2019.
“Every club wants to be in the final round,” he said.
“Every club likes to have a good run and we’d love to have the same success as last year.”