Avondale FC starting XI: Manos (GK), Wellsmore, Reid, Brice (captain), Edwards, Towns, Tevere, Cuba, Ahmed, Aguek, Kur
Just six minutes in, Avondale right back Emlyn Wellsmore won possession near the halfway line and played a perfectly weighted through ball between and behind the Dandenong City defence, finding forward Manny Aguek. Aguek took a couple of touches toward the penalty area, drawing out the advancing goalkeeper before delicately clipping the ball over him, only for it to be dramatically cleared off the line by a desperate Dandenong City defender.
Three minutes later, left back Dan Edwards played a pass into Aguek, who laid it off first-time to winger Yusuf Ahmed inside the box. From just six yards out, Ahmed fired a shot on goal, forcing a strong save from the Dandenong City goalkeeper.
The Avengers’ early dominance in possession and chances would remain a theme throughout the first half, with good opportunities falling to Luca Tevere and again to Ahmed. But despite their strong performance, they couldn’t find the breakthrough.
At the 60-minute mark, following a Dandenong City throw-in at the halfway line, winger Kur Kur intercepted the ball to launch a quick and devastating counterattack. Kur played a well-placed pass toward goal for Ahmed, who powered a left-footed strike into the back of the net, giving the Avengers a well-deserved 1-0 lead.
In the 87th minute, the Avengers midfield turned over possession, sparking an immediate Dandenong City counterattack. The visitors worked the ball into the box, where an unmarked attacker found space and calmly slotted home the equaliser. The match finished 1-1.
Avondale are five points off top spot with four games remaining.
