By Jordan Lim (@JordanLim24)

A second half penalty to North Geelong Warriors’ Matthew Townley has rescued the visitors a much needed point as it drew 1-1 Dandenong Thunder at George Andrews Reserve.

A solo effort from wonderkid Yusuf Ahmed shot the Thunder into a second half lead, before Abdirahman Ahmed brought down Nikola Jurkovic in the box to give the Warriors a lifeline.

The game opened up early as the dangerous Juso Julardzija attempted a curler from just outside the area, which came narrowly close to tailing into the far right corner.

While Abdirahman Ahmed’s night ended it heartbreak, his start wasn’t much better as he spurned a gilt-edged chance to give the Thunder the lead within the opening 20 minutes.

A swift counter attack on the right wing saw Jarryd Barnes collect the ball inside the area.

Unselfishly, he squared up Ahmed who inexplicably blazed over the bar of an open net from inside the area.

Faisal Sakhizada was a mammoth figure in defence along side Adam Petko, but the former also did some good work in the attacking half, as the Afghan international volleyed unsuccessfully towards goal from a corner kick.

The dangerous Yusuf Ahmed showcased his trickery on the half hour mark, dazzling past his fullback before forcing Daniel Zilic to stand strong at his near post.

An errant light bulb fuse brought an early end to the half as George Andrews Reserve was shrouded by the cover of darkness until the restart.

Sakhizada was forced into action in the opening moments of the second stanza, making two important interceptions from some North Geelong pressure.

The visitors were controlling more of the ball, but their chances came sparingly.

Dandenong on the other hand were incisive with the ball at feet, and made their first chance count through Yusuf Ahmed, who dazzled the crowd with his 57^th minute goal.

The youngster left two defenders for dead on the right flank before striking a low shot across the face of goal past a helpless Zilic.

The keeper did well to keep it 1-0 as he eventually claimed the ball following a goalmouth scramble soon after the opener.

Trequartista Michael Gerace hit a sweet free-kick from 20-yards to once again test Zilic, but the imposing stopper once again came to the fore, diving well to palm the shot wide.

The custodians work wasn’t to be in vain either as a brain fade from Abdirahman Ahmed saw the winger bring down midfielder Nikola Jurkovic for a clear penalty.

Despite the protests of the fans, Townley was gifted the chance from the spot to equalise in the 75^th minute, and he made no mistake, rolling past Zaim Zeneli who went the wrong way.

A final opportunity fell the way to the Thunder in injury time, but Barnes couldn’t keep his shot down after being played through the guts.

Match details

Dandenong Thunder 1 (Y Ahmed 57’) drew with North Geelong Warriors 1 (Townley 75’) at George Andrews Reserve

Dandenong Thunder: 1. Zaim ZENELI (GK), 5. Faisal SAKHIZADA, 4. Adam PETKO, 16. Gideon SWEET, 12. Brendan ELMAZOVSKI, 8. Lewis FOSTER (27. Josh CARVANA 89’), 3. Ramazan TAVSANCIOGLU, 7. Yusuf AHMED, 23. Michael GERACE (14. Marcello ARAPIS), 19. Abdirahman AHMED, 2. Jarryd BARNES

Unused Substitute(s): 9. Veton KORCARI, 24. Victor MUJEDINOVSKI, 20. Chris ENGLAND

Yellow Card(s): Elmazovski 20’ Petko 30’

Red Card(s): Nil

 

North Geelong Warriors: 1. Daniel ZILIC (GK), 21. Nicholas JURICIC, 5. Michael GRGIC, 3. Matthew TOWNLEY, 2. Darren LEWIS, 8. Vito CICHELLO, 4. Nikola JURKOVIC, 23. Michael ANDERSON, 7. Reardo LUKA (19. Stipe TRBUHOVIC 27’), 1. Juso JULARDZIJA, 10. Robbie ZADWORNY

Unused Substitute(s): 6. Josh PUGH, 5. Anthony BANOVAC, 31. Tonio BARESIC

Yellow Card(s): Lewis 90'

Red Card(s): Nil