Monaro off the mark in Googong
By Matt Nicoletti
Monaro Panthers 2 (Ed McCarthy 21’, Luke Kanjor 66’) drew. Riverina Rhinos (Darren Bailey 25’, Danyon Arnold 59’)
The Monaro Panthers picked up their first point of the season on Saturday as they came from a goal down to secure a 2-2 draw with the Riverina Rhinos in Googong.
The hosts began the game brightly as they looked for an opener, controlling the majority of the ball while pressing high up the pitch whenever the ball was turned over.
The approach paid off for them after 21 minutes, as Ed McCarthy gave his side their first lead of the league season, jumping highest to meet a cross and rifle a header into the back of the net.
However they seemed to drop off after scoring, and the Rhinos restored parity only four minutes later with a delightful goal from Darren Bailey.
Bailey broke down the left behind the defence and latched onto a through ball, and as Nathan Alferink rushed out of goal he lobbed a delightful chip over the keeper and into the side netting.
The Rhinos looked hungrier after going level and started to find more of the ball as the half wore on, but were unable to create a go-ahead chance as they headed into the break locked at a goal apiece.
As the sides came out of the break it was the Panthers that looked the stronger of the two sides again, but they weren’t able to use their possession efficiently and instead the Rhinos took the lead 11 minutes into the second half.
Ally McLeod’s header rattled the crossbar from a corner but Danyon Arnold was on hand to knock home the rebound as the ball came to ground and give his side the lead. Arnold was everywhere throughout the match in a fantastic performance, but he could do nothing as the Panthers were awarded a penalty in the 66th minute.
Luke Kanjor stepped up for Monaro and coolly dispatched the spot kick just inside the post to level proceedings at 2-2 and give his side a fighting chance at their first win
However, it was not to be, despite a number of chances for Monaro, and the match fizzled out as a draw. The Panthers will face Canberra FC at Deakin next week hoping to take advantage of the underperforming hosts, while the Rhinos will host Tigers FC in Griffith.
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