Soccer: Bannatyne biggest loser after late Kingz defeat

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Michael Theoklitos is set to return to action in goal for the Football Kingz in tonight's home game against Northern Spirit.

Coach Kevin Fallon has yet to confirm his starting XI, but it seems Theoklitos will be given the goalkeeping spot ahead of James Bannatyne for the NSL match.

Fallon is not blaming Bannatyne solely for the two goals that sunk the Kingz last Friday night in the 2-1 loss to Melbourne Knights, but he obviously feels the time is right for a change.

"I have looked at those two goals a couple of times," said Fallon. "There was a combination of things we did badly which contributed to the heartbreak and cost us the game.

"The players concerned know where they went wrong and what they have to do to ensure it doesn't happen again."

In other changes for the game at Ericsson Stadium, Andy Vlahos, returning from suspension, will go back up front where he seems likely to play beside John Markovski, who has impressed Fallon.

"He is getting better each week. Now he just has to start scoring the goals he has been missing," said the coach.

With Vlahos and Markovski up front, Paul Urlovic could take a deeper role on the left, linking with Vlahos and Jonathan Perry.

Chris Jackson, who played at the back last week, could be in the midfield, allowing Mark Atkinson to switch to fullback in the absence of skipper Sean Douglas, who is over a hamstring injury, but hurt his ankle at training.

Gerard Davis is back to full fitness after being sidelined with a dodgy hamstring, but has not been named in the 15-man squad.

Despite his encouraging debut, Campbell Banks seems certain to again start from the bench as he continues his bid to reach full fitness.

Northern Spirit have been a bogey side for the Kingz, who have beaten them only once - 3-2 in 1999.

With three players missing, including former Kingz defender Michael Cartwright, there have been several changes to the visiting squad. They now include former Dunedin Technical striker Aaron Burgess.

* Last night's scheduled tribunal hearing involving the Kingz and departed midfielder Con Boustianis was adjourned yesterday.

Kingz chief executive Chris Turner, speaking from Sydney, said there were "jurisdiction issues" to be resolved before the hearing could proceed.

"All we have asked is that the tribunal rule whether there has been a breach of contract," said Turner.

"But until these other issues have been sorted out, the hearing will not go ahead.

"It has been a frustrating exercise. We have no choice but to continue paying and fining him."

A new hearing date has yet to be set.

Kingz (from): Michael Theoklitos, Jonathan Perry, Levent Osman, Riki Van Steeden, Hiroshi Miyazawa, Mark Atkinson, Paul Urlovic, George Goutzioulis, Chris Jackson, Harry Ngata, Mark Burton, Andy Vlahos, John Markovski, Campbell Banks, James Bannatyne.

Northern Spirit (from): Paul Henderson, Julian Watts, Simon Bell, Noel Spencer, Andy McDermott, Robert Trajkovski, Craig Foster, Pablo Cardozo, Scott Thomas, Robert Enes, Ryan Griffiths, Aaron Burgess, Adam Griffiths, Gabriel Mendez, Jack Sobczyk, Lou Acevski.