Persistent Wanderers come from behind twice in compelling draw with Bulls

Macarthur FC remain without a home A-League win in 2020/21 after twice conceding their lead over Western Sydney Wanderers in an entertaining 2-2 draw at Campbelltown Stadium on Saturday night.

The see-sawing clash saw the Bulls pull ahead twice through headed goals to centre backs Aleksandar Jovanovic and Aleksandar Šušnjar, but second-half strikes to Wanderers midfielder Graham Dorrans and Simon Cox saw the Red and Black earn a point, and go five games undefeated.

Ziggy Gordon was heavily involved in the opening quarter of an hour of play. The Wanderers defender twice denied Matt Derbyshire with committed defensive blocks in the box before Jovanovic rose higher than Gordon from a corner routine to head Macarthur into the lead.

Adam Federici had little to do in the first half but produced one key block to keep the Wanderers from equalising, athletically pushing a whipped Tate Russell strike around the post.

Derbyshire was twice denied by Gordon early in the first stanza and deep into first-half added time he was thwarted once more, but this time by VAR as his expertly struck volley off Beñat Etxebarria’s lofted pass was rightly chalked offside.

Dorrans equalised in the second half after an Etxebarria slip and missed tackle by Ivan Franjic exposed Federici well off his line, allowing the Wanderers midfielder to drive from defence into attack and loop the ball over the Bulls ‘keeper, sealing a brilliant solo goal and invigorating the away fans.

But Macarthur rapidly restored their lead through Jovanovic’s centre back partner Šušnjar, who like Jovanovic leapt above all others to hammer a header off the post and over the goal line.

Trailing once again, the Wanderers refused to drop their heads and produced a moment of pure chaos in Macarthur’s defensive box, which saw Federici make an incredible saves to deny Bruce Kamau and Cox blast his resulting shot off his own player, before Russell rattled the crossbar.

The Bulls survived by the skin of their teeth but their relief was fleeting. Two minutes after the Wanderers’ triple-miss Keanu Baccus produced a ridiculous scorpion-kick assist from a James Troisi corner which Cox headed home unmarked at the back post, and the contest was suddenly all square once more.

With scores level and 20 minutes to play both sides felt confident of snatching three points and chances continued to present at either end. But scores remained at 2-2 until the six minutes of additional time ticked by, ensuring the truly entertaining fixture ended with honours shared.

The Wanderers will next face Melbourne Victory on Wednesday night at Bankwest Stadium. You can get your tickets here.