Mitch Nichols grabbed a late equalizer as Western Sydney Wanderers extended their unbeaten streak to eight games in an entertaining 2-2 draw with Perth Glory.
Fans were still taking their seats when an onrushing Andrew Redmayne was deemed to have brought down Diego Castro inside the box just 73 seconds in. Castro stepped up to the spot and cooly converted the penalty to give Perth the lead. After a slow start, Western Sydney worked their way back into the contest and were rewarded midway through the half, thanks to a move straight off the training ground. Brendon Santalab turned in Dario Vidosic’s corner via some nice work from Nichols and Scott Jamieson.
Both sides threatened early in the second-half, but neither were able to seriously test each other’s goalkeeper. However, in the 62nd minute, Mitch Oxborrow made the breakthrough in spectacular fashion. Standing over a free kick 30-yards out from goal, the youngster bent a left-footed effort around the wall and into the net via Redmayne’s glove. The visitors threw everything at Perth as they went looking for an equalizer, but it looked like Kenny Lowe’s men would hold on. Then, with time running out, Nichols found space on the edge of the box to curl home a delightful first-time strike to rescue a richly-deserved point.
Perth Glory
Ante Covic – 7: Made a wonderful close range save from Aguilar from a first-half corner, but could do little about either goal.
Aryn Williams – 7: Struggled with Jamieson’s pace but managed to contain him adequately for the most part. Looking to be a solid, mid-season signing.
Michael Thwaite – 7: Continued where he left off midweek. On hand to cut out any danger which arose amid an ever-increasing tide of Wanderers
Alex Grant – 7: Was his usual, physical self and conituned to win everything in the air. Already creating a great partnership with Thwaite and will Dino Djulbic will have to work hard to win his spot back.
Josh Risdon – 7: In his 100th game, the fullback looked good early and constantly got forward, but as the visitors started to take control, found himself under more pressure defensively. Put in a fitting performance for his special day.
Diogo Ferreira – 7: Hesitant on a couple of occassions, but luckily did not cost the team. Worked hard in the second half and started to win more of the ball in the middle of the park, breaking up a few worrying attacks.
Hagi Gligor – 6: Hit the mark with the majority of his passes and worked hard off the ball, but did not get on the ball enough to dictate the game. Was replaced at half time.
Mitch Oxborrow – 7: Tidy distirubtion as always, but his touch let him down a few times. Also switched-off defensively a couple of times and allowed his man to escape him. However, redeemed himself by scoring an incredible 30-yard free kick and always looked to play positively.
Gyorgy Sandor – 7: Despite starting in an unfamiliar role on the right, the Hungarian looked strong, often drifting inside to link up with the midfield. Was a lot quieter in the second half as his influence waned.
Joseph Knowles – 5: Found himself isolated against the twin towers of Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Alberto Aguilar, often outmsucled by the two centre-backs. Taken off at halftime for Jamal Reiners.
Diego Castro – 8: The Spaniard was at his best early, winning and converting a penalty and causing the Wanderers’ defence problems with his guile. A constant nuisance all night, already looks to have been a great signing by Kenny Lowe.
Substitutes
Chris Harold – 6: Worked hard and looked to get in behind the defence with his pace.
Jamal Reiners – 7: His speed worried the visitor’s defence, especially when the Glory sat back and played on the break. Another promising performance from the youngster.
Richard Garcia – 6: Found himself out of the action for periods, but hit some nice passes when he got on the ball.
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