The Western Sydney Wanderers let a golden opportunity to re-take the lead at the top of the table slip when they conceded a late equaliser against Northern Tigers in the PS4 NPL2.
With Sydney FC blowing a two goal lead against Mt Druitt to lose 3-2, the Red & Black looked on course to take the outright competition lead but an 83rd minute Tigers goal meant the points were shared.
Regardless, the result was enough for the Wanderers to move to 34 points, sharing the NPL2 lead with their cross-city rivals.
The match itself was devoid of clear-cut opportunities with both sides having to do their best with a number of half-chances that were created.
Tariq Maia had the first of these chances early in the match when the midfielder found some space on the edge of the box, unfortunately for the Red & Black his shot went wide.
It wouldn’t take too much longer for the Wanderers to take the lead though as Jordan Morfitis scored his first goal at NPL level in only his sixth appearance.
Latching onto a wide ball and finding himself with some space in the box, Morfitis spotted the keeper off his line and chipped the ball over him: a beautiful finish.
Northern Tigers finished the half with two chances in succession as first they hit the outside of the post before winning possession high up the pitch and shooting off-target.
The second half was an even less enterprising affair with no chances of note until seven minutes to go when Tigers scored the equaliser.
Finding the ball in the box, Northern Tigers had a number of shots as the ball ricocheted around the goalmouth until it was finally poked into goal to cue massive celebrations amongst the home team.
A winner was almost scored for the Red & Black when, in the third minute of additional time, substitute Moudi Najjar’s deft chip looked certain to be the winner until a Tigers defender came out of nowhere to miraculously clear the ball away from the line and over the bar.
The point sees Wanderers share top spot with Sydney FC while Tigers remain in fifth.
Next Saturday the Wanderers return home, taking on Bankstown City Lions at Blacktown Football Park. Kick-off is 7pm.
Northern Tigers 1
Western Sydney Wanderers 1 (Jordan Morfitis 22’)
Western Sydney Wanderers: Matthew Symes (GK), Tate Russell, Abdelrahman Kuku, Keanu Baccus, Lachlan Roberts, Tacettin Kumsuz (Moudi Najjar), Cameron Devlin (C), Tariq Maia, Jordan Morfitis (Charles Abou), Ramy Najjarine (Lawrence Hanna), Kyle Cimenti
Unused subs: Nick Suman (GK), Malcolm Ward
Other results
20s: Northern Tigers 3-2 WSW
18s: Northern Tigers 2-1 WSW
16s: Sydney United 4-1 WSW
15s: Sydney United 2-0 WSW
