The Western Sydney Wanderers drew 1-1 in their NPL 2 match against Central Coast Mariners at Sydney United Sports Centre on Saturday night.
Abraham Majok opened the scoring in the first half for the Red & Black before Amer Abdullah scored a late equaliser for the Mariners.
After a cautious start from both teams, the game opened up when Majok had two chances in the space of a minute.
A couple of minutes later Abdelrahman Kuku found Roberts on the right wing with his cross headed wide by Majok.
Majok then turned provider, playing Kosta Grozos in on goal, however, Central Coast goalkeeper Adam Pearce was alert and managed to smother the ball.
At the other end, Wanderers defender Adrian Valenti was doing well, making a couple of important tackles to stop Mariners counter attacks.
In the 36th minute, the Wanderers took a deserved lead. Grozos whipped a corner kick into the box and when it wasn’t cleared, Majok was the quickest to react lashing the ball into the top corner.
John Roberts then had an opportunity, beating the Mariners defence for speed before forcing another save from Pearce.
The Mariners threatened early in the second half, with Fabian Monge and Tate Russell making two vital blocks, while Kuku also made a solid tackle in his own penalty area.
The Red & Black responded, with Tokich finding Majok in space, only for Pearce to make a good save.
With both teams now pushing for a goal, Pearce made another save from Majok, while at the other end Valenti cleared the ball off the line following a Mariners counter attack.
With five minutes left Majok was inches away from getting his second of the game, sending the ball just wide after being put through on goal.
After dominating the entire game, it ended in heartbreak for the Red & Black. Mariners substitute Amer Abdullah made it 1-1 in the second minute of stoppage time, despite Wanderers goalkeeper Nicholas Suman getting a hand to the shot.
Despite the draw, it was a solid day for the Wanderers Academy who were close to getting a clean sweep.
The Wanderers will next travel to Christie Park on Saturday night to face Spirit FC. Kick-off is at 7:00pm.
Western Sydney Wanderers 1 (Abraham Majok 36’)
Central Coast Mariners 1 (Amer Abdullah 92’)
Western Sydney Wanderers: Nicholas Suman, Mohamed Al Taay, Tate Russell, Tass Mourdoukoutas, Adrian Valenti, Abdelrahman Kuku (Mohamed Adam 69’), Fabian Monge, Mark Tokich (Tacettin Kumsuz 80’), John Roberts (Samuel Silvera 85’), Abraham Majok, Kosta Grozos (c)
Unused substitutes: Daniel Axford, Oliver Puflett
Other results:
U20: WSW 3-1 CCM
U18: WSW 3-1 CCM
U16: WSW 3-0 Bonnyrigg
U15: WSW 8-0 Bonnyrigg
U14: WSW 3-1 Bonnyrigg
U13: WSW 4-0 Bonnyrigg
