The Maitland Magpies have missed a chance to jump into the NPL top four after conceding two late goals, despite a dominant performance against Hamilton Olympic in an entertaining 2-2 draw at Darling Street Oval on Sunday.
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Matt Comerford and Matt Thompson both found the net for the Magpies who were in cruise control at 2-0 up with little over 10 minutes to play.
Olympic then turned the game on its head starting in the 79th minute with a Scott Smith goal, before Sean Pratt’s equaliser just one minute later left the Magpies hanging on for a point.
In the end, the Magpies were fortunate to walk away with the point, after goalkeeper Matt Trott came up with a big save in second half stoppage time to deny Olympic substitute Tommy Spencer when it seemed certain he would score an unlikely winner for the home side.
It took some time for the Magpies to get into any sort of rhythm in the opening exchanges during which Rhys Cooper almost opened the scoring for Olympic on more than one occasion.
However, the Magpies took control of the game mid-way through the first half and were rewarded with the opening goal just after the half hour mark.
Comerford played a neat one-two with Thompson to put the winger in behind the defence who then produced a delicate chip over shot-stopper Tyler Warren in the Olympic goal.
A frantic few minutes followed the goal, as Trott denied Cooper again almost immediately, before going straight down the other end where Ryan Broadley’s goalbound effort was deflected wide for a corner, after being played into space by Comerford.
The Magpies went to the break a goal up, but should have been in a far more comfortable position, as both Comerford and Josh Dutton-Black passed up golden opportunities to extend the lead just before half-time.
Comerford made amends straight after the restart as he dispossessed defender Marcus Duncan and made a barnstorming run into the penalty area.
The Olympic man’s desperate last-ditch tackle took the winger out, leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot. Thompson coolly sent Warren the wrong way from the ensuing penalty to double the advantage.
Maitland’s dominance continued, but were unable to find a third goal to kill the game. Spencer headed a golden opportunity over for Olympic with 15 minutes remaining, but the Magpies did not heed the warning.
With 11 minutes remaining, Smith gave the home side a lifeline with a stunning goal from the edge of the box. The Olympic striker’s turn and shot curled and looped over Trott and into the net.
Almost immediately, incredibly Olympic were level when Sean Pratt lashed home an unstoppable volley.
The equaliser seemed to shock the Magpies back into action, as both teams stepped up the intensity to try and find a winner.
Trott’s late heroics ensured Maitland held on for a point to stay within striking distance of.Olympic in fourth spot, while staying ahead of a fast finishing Broadmeadow Magic on goal difference.
The Magpies are in action again next Sunday at 2.30pm against Edgeworth Eagles at Cooks Square Park, and will be looking to avenge the 1-0 defeat to the Eagles in the Northern NSW semi-finals of the FFA Cup.