Macarthur FC’s Craig Noone and Tommy Oar have both scored contenders for goal of the Isuzu Ute A-League season as their side played out an entertaining 3-3 draw with the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford on Thursday.
Noone’s 90th-minute equaliser came after Macarthur had thrown away a 2-0 lead with Oar opening the scoring in the first half.
Oar’s first goal in five years was a beautifully-taken first-time volley from the edge of the box which dipped underneath the crossbar and beyond the reach of Central Coast goalkeeper Mark Birighitti.
In a chaotic game, Macarthur defender Adrian Mariappa poked in for his first top-flight goal since 2013 before an Aleksandar Susnjar own goal brought the home side back into the game.
Macarthur’s work was nearly all undone when Moudi Najjar gave away two penalties in the space of nine minutes late on.
Oliver Bozanic and Brazilian striker Moresche scored their respective spot kicks and the Mariners looked to be home until Noone sensationally levelled.
Oar turned provider this time, delivering a cross for Noone to strike a left-foot volley with perfect precision past Birighitti.
Macarthur got the breakthrough when Bozanic cleared a Noone cross, but only as far as Oar who sent the ball whistling into the back of the net.
The Bulls soon had their second 10 minutes later when Jacob Farrell brought down Charles M’Mombwa, with Mariappa firing in the deflection at the set-piece after Farrell had failed to clear a loose ball.
Farrell soon atoned for his errors when he stretched Macarthur down the left and sent a cross into the box.
The retreating Macarthur defence missed the ball altogether and Marco Urena’s shot flicked off Susnjar and into the net just before halftime.
The Mariners levelled when Jason Cummings was clipped on the ankles by Najjar in the 75th minute.
Initially referee Lachlan Keever waved protests for a penalty away, but after consulting with the VAR he pointed to the spot.
Bozanic converted with ease, sending Filip Kurto the wrong way as he fired to the goalkeeper’s left.
Najjar gave away a carbon copy penalty soon after with Keever pointing directly to the spot this time for Moresche to score.
In one last attack, a cleared free kick found its way to Oar who delivered to Noone who rocketed the ball in for the draw.
