By BRYCE CLAYTON (@brycecrojas)

Eastern Lions have pulled off an incredible comeback, scoring twice in stoppage time to salvage a 2-2 draw against Sunshine George Cross at Gardiners Creek Reserve on Saturday.

A first half Christopher Dib penalty followed by an Anthony Cassar header looked to be enough for the away side, before Andrew Williams slotted home a late penalty and Munyaradzi Nyadzayo scored in the last minute to salvage a draw for the home side.

It took just eight minutes for the home side to have its first chance, with Ziggy Razuki bursting through and putting his shot less than an inch past the post.

But it was the away side that drew first blood with a poor challenge on Chris Oghanna resulting in a penalty.

Dib stepped up from the penalty spot and made no mistake, sending the keeper the wrong way and putting the away side ahead after 15 minutes.

It could have been 2-0 to the away side if not for some great goalkeeping by Andrew Lightfoot.

Oghanna fired a long-range rocket of a shot towards the top right corner but Lightfoot was up to the task, making a great save.

The Lions pushed to find a way back into the game, but it was Sunshine who looked dangerous on the counter.

Cassar found himself with space inside the box but couldn’t keep his shot down as it sailed over the bar towards the closing stages of the half.

The second half started in frenetic fashion, with four consecutive shots to the Lions deflected away by both ‘keeper and defenders before Nyadzayo blazed over the bar from inside the six yard box.

And it didn’t take long for another major opportunity, with Parry’s header floating towards the back post before Jame Kapuranovski pulled off an impressive save.

But despite the home side’s early dominance it was Sunshine who struck once again.

A brilliant through-ball found the feet of Ayodeji Omoboye, who whipped in a great cross and found the head of Cassar, who made no mistake from inside the box.

The Lions continued to press but struggled to find space, with Kapuranovski pulling off a couple of great saves to keep the away side’s lead intact.

But a late penalty gave the home side hope as Williams slotted home from the spot to make it 2-1 in the 91^st minute.

And as if that wasn’t enough, Nyadzayo stepped up and slotted home an incredible goal into the bottom left corner to make it 2-2 with virtually the last kick of the game, providing an incredible ending to an entertaining match.

Match details:

Eastern Lions 2 (Williams 90+1’, Nyadzayo 90+3’) drew with Sunshine George Cross 2 (Dib 15’, Cassar 58’) at Gardiners Creek Reserve [HT: 0-1]

Eastern Lions: Andrew LIGHTFOOT, William ELLIS, Matthew PARRY, Andrew WILLIAMS, Ziggy RAZUKI, Munyaradzi NYADZAYO, David MCKESSY, Jarrah CLEAR, Jordan HORN, Yianni TOUMANIDIS, Shaun KENNY

Unused Subs: Robert HAVERCROFT, Louis RUZUKI, Jack DUFFIELD, Mitch BEAMISH, Cameron PAIN

Yellow Cards: Matthew PARRY 39’

Red Cards: Nil

 

Sunshine George Cross: Jame KAPURANOVSKI, Martin MASON, Brandon SCERRI, Christopher DIB, Damian RASTOCIC (Amara KROMAH 88’), Daniel HUTCHINSON (Adrian BOGLIS 74’), Adrian LOGOZZO, Anthony CASSAR, Liam O’CONNELL, Chris OGHANNA, Ayodeji OMOBOYE

Unused Subs: Jonathon HARBOGLOU, Bozidar LOJANICA, Denis DASOUL

Yellow Cards: Christopher DIB 27’, Anthony CASSAR 63’, Martin MASON 90+1’

Red Cards: Nil