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NPL 1 Wrap: Wanderers play out thrilling draw against Marconi

Our NPL NSW side has played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with the Marconi Stallions at Fairfield Showground.

Nicolas Milanovic scored twice on his return to the side, whilst Alex Badolato scored his first goal of the season in a match that saw the sides score four goals in a frenetic second half.

The Wanderers got off to the perfect start when Zac Sapsford and Milanovic combined down the right, with the latter breaking away from the defence and finishing brilliantly past James Hilton in goal.

The home side hit back quickly, though, with a quick passing move resulting in Kyle Cimenti scoring from the centre of the box.

The remainder of the half was a tight affair, with both sides struggling to keep the ball for extended periods of time; Jarrod Carluccio came closest to scoring when he tried to chip Hilton in the 23rd minute, but the keeper read the intent and foiled the attempt.

The game exploded into life seven minutes from half time when Milanovic scored his second, Nathaneal Blair did brilliantly to move past an onrushing defender and break down the pitch, and he slid the ball to Milanovic who passed the ball home smartly at the near post.

Once again the home side fought back quickly, and were level just before the hour mark as Hiroaki Aoyama scored with a finish from the edge of the area.

The Wanderers then retook the lead in the 65th minute when Sapsford again got free down the right wing, and his ball across goal found the onrushing Badolato who just entered the pitch as a substitute, and he duly swept the ball home.

The home side threw men forward as they searched for an equaliser, and they scored their thirdequaliser of the game when Martin Fernandez unleashed a low and hard shot from distance that went into the bottom corner.

Both sides had golden opportunities to win the match, with Marko Jesic spurning a first time shot, and Badolato curling an effort just wide of the goal in stoppage time, but both sides would have to settle for a share of the points in an entertaining encounter.