Macarthur FC have taken another step closer to an inaugural A-League Finals Series berth, after beating Western United 2-1 at Leichhardt Oval on Monday Night.
Originally slated to be played at AAMI Park in Melbourne, the match was moved to Sydney last minute due to the lockdown status in Melbourne.
Goals to Markel Susaeta and Mark Milligan ensured the Bulls took a 2-0 lead to half-time, and it seemed as though a straight-forward win was on the cards against a United side without a win in seven games.
Mark Milligan what a hit! ?
? @FOXFOOTBALL #ALeague #WUNvMAC #WUFC #RunWithTheHerd pic.twitter.com/vd4xFUyghF
— A-League (@ALeague) May 31, 2021
Iker Guarrotxena header just beyond the hour mark gave the Bulls a nervous 30 minutes to close out the match.
Michael Ruhs had the chance to seal the three points for the Bulls in stoppage time when United gloveman Ryan Scott ventured outside his 18-yard box to close the space.
The full-time score remained 1-2.
The win almost secures the Bulls a top six finish with Perth Glory the only club that could overtake Macarthur by the end of the season. If the Bulls lose their final match to Wellington and Perth win their remaining two games on the road.
Moments that matter:
18′ FEDERICI SAVE: Diamanti with a rocket from well outside the box, but a Fedders diving save to his left denies the Italian.
22′ CHANCE! Najjar cuts it back off the by-line to Susnjar who finds Susaeta on the back post but can’t control the height.
First big chance for the Bulls!
24′ WOAHA! That was close! Diamanti takes a crack from halfway, but curls away at the last minute.
27′ GOOOOOALLLL!!!!! SUSAETA!!!!! 0-1
30′ GOOOOALLLLL!!!! MARK MILLIGAN launches a rocket into the back of the net on the edge of the box! 0-2
Half Time 0-2
50′ HUGE CHANCE! Derbyshire with the first touch just wide, after a peach of a ball from Susaeta over to the far post. 0-2
58′ HUGE CHANCE! Derbyshire with an amazing strike forcing Ryan Scott into a diving save to his left. Charles M’Mombwa tries to put away the rebound but is denied. AMAZING FOOTBALL! 0-2
61′ Goal to Western United’s Guarrotxena from a Diamanti cross. 1-2
90+1′ CHANCE! Derbyshire breaks into the clear, plays it to Ruhs and Ryan Scott comes outside his box and denies us sealing the match! 1-2
