Macarthur Bulls FC face an uphill battle to secure a spot in the finals this season following a 2-2 draw with Central Coast, a match that witnessed Mariners captain Trent Sainsbury suffer a potentially serious Achilles injury.
The home side started brightly at Industree Group Stadium, with captain Trent Sainsbury rising above the rest to head in a free-kick in the 15th minute, putting Central Coast ahead 1-0.
Not trailing for long, Macarthur responded in the 22nd minute, as central defender Kevin Boli nodded in the equaliser from a set-piece, levelling the score at 1-1.
The Mariners quickly regained the lead, however, when 17-year-old Arthur De Lima capitalised on a scramble in the Macarthur penalty area to net his second goal of the season in the 29th minute, making it 2-1.
Looking to change the game in the second half, Bulls coach Mile Sterjovski brought on forward Harrison Sawyer, who made an immediate impact by scoring just three minutes after his introduction, heading home a cross from Marin Jakolis to equalise at 2-2.
Worrying scenes unfolded late in the match as Sainsbury went down unchallenged in the box, and it was reported that he mentioned the word ‘snapped’ to the club doctor while gripping his Achilles in visible pain.
This result leaves the Mariners in 10th place, having drawn 11 times this season, while Macarthur finds themselves four points shy of the top six with just two matches remaining.
Intent on making a strong start to recover from their F3 Derby embarrassment, the Mariners did exactly that in Gosford.
Sainsbury, shaking off his marker at a set-piece, scored his first Isuzu UTE A-League goal in nearly a decade, putting the Mariners ahead 1-0 within the first 15 minutes.
Desperate for a win to remain in contention for the finals, Macarthur equalised just seven minutes later when mid-season signing Boli scored with a header from a corner, drawing the match level at 1-1.
Just after equalising, the Bulls nearly took the lead, with captain Luke Brattan delivering a superb pass to Jakolis, but the Croatian winger’s powerful half-volley was deflected wide by Sainsbury.
After narrowly avoiding conceding at one end, the Bulls were soon undone at the other when they failed to clear a wide free-kick, allowing De Lima to score again, accelerating the Mariners’ lead to 2-1.
Chasing more in the second half, Sterjovski introduced towering striker Sawyer, who proved to be the difference only three minutes after coming on by heading in Jakolis’ curling ball to equalise again at 2-2, marking his fourth goal in just three matches.
In stark contrast to their first-half showing, the Mariners were now on the back foot at Industree Group Stadium, yet almost struck back on the counter; Lucas Mauragis forced a sharp save from Filip Kurto from the edge of the box.
Youngster Haine Eames came close to regaining the lead for the Mariners in the 73rd minute, but his strike sailed wide of the far post as the Bulls’ defence scrambled to maintain their goal’s integrity.
Despite the Mariners having the better chances, Macarthur still posed a significant threat at set-pieces, with Sawyer once again challenging with a header in the 78th minute, which Peraic-Cullen saved effectively.
The imposing striker continued to trouble the Mariners’ defence, drawing another save from Peraic-Cullen as stoppage time approached with a well-timed header.
In a devastating turn of events, Sainsbury appeared to sustain an Achilles injury while contesting for the ball, being forced to leave the field in evident distress.
Bulls defender Tomislav Uskok then had a golden opportunity to clinch victory but saw his header thwarted by Peraic-Cullen, allowing the home side to secure a hard-fought 2-2 draw.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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