On Saturday night, the Western Sydney Wanderers NPL 2 first grade team were held to a 3-3 draw against Canterbury Bankstown FC at The Crest Atheltic Centre.
A double from Oliver Puflett and a goal from Tass Mourdoukoutas was not enough to get the win, as Canterbury earned a point thanks to two goals from Jake Bradshaw and a late equaliser from Gonçalo Paradanta.
The Wanderers started the match well and were in front after 10 minutes. Mohamed Al Taay did well in the buildup, beating a defender before cutting the ball back for Puflett who sidefooted the ball into the bottom corner.
The Red & Black then doubled their lead five minutes later when Mourdoukoutas scored after getting on the end of Samuel Silvera’s free kick.
Canterbury responded and Wanderers goalkeeper Daniel Axford made an incredible save to momentarily preserve the team’s two-goal cushion.
After a couple changes for Mohamed Adam, Silvera struck a free kick into the wall with Adrian Valenti’s follow-up shot deflected over the crossbar.
Puflett then had a chance after winning the ball with the goalkeeper off his line, but he couldn’t keep his shot down.
The Red & Black were unlucky to concede at the start of the second half after Axford did well to tip the ball onto the post but Bradshaw was on hand to score from the rebound.
Three minutes later, Canterbury equalised. Bradshaw once again found the net from close range.
With the score now at 2-2, the Wanderers went on the attack and Puflett was unlucky to not score after beating Canterbury goalkeeper John Dimitrakas to the ball, only to see his chipped effort fall agonizingly wide of the target.
However, Puflett would make amends a few minutes later, beating the offside trap before slamming the ball past Dimitrakas to put the Red & Black 3-2 in front.
Lochlan Constable then had a chance to extend the Wanderers’ lead as he rose highest at corner kick with his header just flying wide of the goal.
At the other end, Axford made a crucial save to deny Bradshaw and keep the Wanderers in front.
Unfortunately, the Red & Black were unable to hang on and Paradanta made it 3-3 in the 86th minute after heading home from a corner.
The Wanderers managed to win a couple of set pieces in good positions but were unable to find a winning goal.
The draw sees the Red & Black stay in fifth place, extending their unbeaten run to nine matches.
Next Sunday, the Wanderers will take on league leaders Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Sydney United Sports Centre. Kick-off is at 3:00pm.
Western Sydney Wanderers 3 (Oliver Puflett 10’ 54’, Tass Mourdoukoutas 15’)
Western Sydney Wanderers: Daniel Axford, Mohamed Al Taay, Tate Russell, Tass Mourdoukoutas (c), Adrian Valenti, Perry Fotakopoulos (Fabian Monge 59’) Tacettin Kumsuz, Lochlan Constable, Mohamed Adam, Samuel Silvera (Rory Jordan 74’), Oliver Puflett
Unused subs: Gabriel Osinga, Joshua Bartolotto, Joshua Gulevski
