The Western Sydney Wanderers extended their undefeated streak in the NSW NPL 2 to four games after drawing 1-1 with Northern Tigers at North Turramurra Recreation Area on Saturday night.
The Red & Black opened the scoring thanks to Tass Mourdoukoutas with Alexander Brown equalizing for Northern Tigers just before the half-hour mark.
Tigers had the better of the opening exchanges with Wanderers goalkeeper Elliot Carwardine called upon to save a shot from distance.
At the other end, Abraham Majok did well to evade a tackle before stinging the palms of Tigers goalkeeper Tonu Liliband.
With 17 minutes played, the Wanderers took the lead. Abdelrahman Kuku found space on the left flank and his cross was headed home by Mourdoukoutas.
John Roberts then followed with a brilliant through ball to Kosta Grozos who unfortunately wasn’t able to keep the ball in play after dribbling around the keeper.
Despite the strong start, Northern Tigers managed to find an equaliser when Alexander Brown scored with a volley.
The Red & Black then had to withstand a spell of pressure from their opponents, as Tate Russell and Daniel Wilmering both made crucial tackles, while Carwardine also had to make a couple of saves to keep the scores level.
Roberts was lively at the start of the second half, setting up Tokich for a shot, before having an effort of his own blocked after beating two opponents.
As the game began to open up, Majok had a couple of chances, first shooting wide after a hold-up play from Lachlan Scott before having a shot blocked after being set up by Roberts.
Samuel Silvera came on as a substitute for the Wanderers and had an immediate impact, finding Grozos on the edge of the penalty area, with his shot saved by Liiband.
Majok was determined to put the Wanderers in front, and he embarked on a mazy run, only for his shot to be blocked.
Further chances then came for Mourdoukoutas and Grozos along with Tokich whose swerving 30-yard free kick was parried away by Liliband.
Despite a number of chances, the Wanderers were unable to break the deadlock and settled for a 1-1 draw against Northern Tigers.
The Wanderers will return to Sydney United Sports Centre to face Central Coast Mariners next Saturday. Kick off is at 7:00pm.
Northern Tigers 1 (Alexander Brown 28’)
Western Sydney Wanderers 1 (Tass Mourdoukoutas 17’)
Western Sydney Wanderers: Elliot Carwardine, Mohamed Al Taay, Tate Russell, Tass Mourdoukoutas, Daniel Wilmering, Abdelrahman Kuku (Fabian Monge 74’), Mark Tokich, Kosta Grozos (Mohamed Adam 87’), John Roberts (Samuel Silvera 62’), Abraham Majok, Lachlan Scott
Unused substitutes: Daniel Axford, Jordan Hall
Other results:
U20: Northern Tigers 0-0 WSW
U18: Match suspended due to injury
U16: Sydney United 0-2 WSW
U15: Sydney United 0-2 WSW
U14: Sydney United 2-1 WSW
U13: Sydney United 0-7 WSW
