Trialist scores against Premier League club.
It is the ultimate football script, and for Joe Knowles on Thursday night, he lived that very storyline as he took his chance for Brisbane Roar, scoring a goal against Leeds United, which their boss, Jesse Marsch, even described as a “pretty cool experience for him”.
Coming off the back of four goals in his last two NPL outings, Knowles reacted quickest after Rahmat Akbari’s effort in the box, following Nikola Mileusnic’s supply from the left, and slotted his goal coolly past Kris Kalesson in a 2-1 defeat on the Gold Coast where Warren Moon’s side came within inches, twice, of drawing level.
Knowles seized his moment, though. It was “something special”.
“It was a big opportunity to play a Premier League side like Leeds and obviously to get a goal was good,” he said.
Knowles, 26, has been shuttling between Queensland, on trial with the Isuzu UTE A-League club, and Victoria, where he plays in the National Premier League for Oakleigh Cannons.
“My body’s in bits at the moment – the flights to and from Melbourne – but it all makes it worthwhile there,” he said.
The striker is dreaming of a second crack at Australia’s top flight, having last featured for Perth Glory in 2018.
He was surprised to learn he was starting the day before the clash with Leeds; even more surprised to get so many minutes.
“Run hard, tackle, if you get a chance, put it away,” Moon quipped, when asked what he’d advised him before the game.
“That’s football!
“He’s on trial, and he comes in and scores a goal and I thought he did really well tonight.
“I’m sure the boys are pleased for him, but as a staff, we are pleased he put in a good shift and got his reward.”
He continued: “Joe is going to be with us for Townsville as well. At this stage he has been training with us for a couple of weeks; we have our squad, a lot of players to come back in the next week or so, we’ll focus on the players we’ve got and focus on Aston Villa.”
The goal was only part of a performance that caught the eye from Knowles – industrious and brave against the likes of Robin Koch; hassling and energetic chasing Mateusz Klich and a constant outlet for the Roar who looked to hit Leeds on the counter attack.
Former Brisbane Roar striker Scott McDonald, on co-commentary duties for Channel 10, observed: “The pace he showed is very promising.
“To beat the two centre halves of Leeds United, no easy feat against two Premier League central defenders… really impressive to see his hold up play.”
Indeed, Leeds’ defence against the counter attack was an area their boss Jesse Marsch, speaking after the match, said needed work.
“I saw there was a trialist…that’s a pretty cool experience for him and a good moment.”
He continued: “In some of those moments we were a little too open and allowed too many counters, which gave them a few too many chances.
“Congratulations to him.”
