NPL NSW Men’s | Round 15
We came away from Ernie Smith Reserve on Saturday evening with a point after one of the most dramatic finishes of the season, drawing 2-2 with SD Raiders FC in a contest that had everything. Lead changes, two penalties, a handball on the line and a last-gasp effort that rattled the underside of the bar. Nothing was settled until the final whistle.
The Raiders got off to a quick start, with Martin Fernandez finishing a quick counter in the 3rd minute to hand the home side an early lead. We responded well though. Brendan Gan levelled things up just six minutes later, heading home a Nick Olsen cross to pull us level. From there, both teams traded half-chances in an open and entertaining first half that never really settled into a rhythm.
The second half was where it got chaotic. Olsen put us in front in the 72nd minute with a composed finish after good build-up play and an incredible assist from Yianni Nicoloau, and for a period it looked like we might hold on. But the Raiders were handed a lifeline when Brendan Gan was penalised for a handball on the line, and substitute Jakob Malbasa stepped up to convert from the spot in the 80th minute, making it 2-2.
What followed was genuinely extraordinary. Within moments, we won a penalty at the other end, only for Olsen’s effort to crash off the underside of the bar and be cleared. After a tense 10 minutes, both sides had to settle for a share of the points in what was one of the wildest conclusions to a game you’ll see this season.
Olsen was the standout on the day, picking up man of the match honours with a goal and the assist for Gan’s equaliser. Takumi Ofuka also earned a mention, continuing his consistent contribution in attack.
We’ll see you this Saturday as we take on NWS Spirit FC at home – We need your support for this one 🦈