Soccer: Kingz match scrappy but still worth a point

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The Football Kingz picked up their second point of the Australian National League season in a scrappy 2-2 away draw with defending champions Wollongong Wolves last night.

The visitors led twice, but on both occasions quickly gave up that advantage.

The Kingz got the start they were looking for. Inside a minute, Paul Urlovic hit the post then, from the first corner of the match, they scored.

Andy Vlahos picked out Riki Van Steeden who headed down and Jonathan Perry capitalised on some ordinary defensive work to stab home from close range for his seventh NSL goal.

That seventh-minute lead lasted just six minutes before the home side, also from set play, grabbed the equaliser.

From a Dino Mennillo freekick, and with the hesitant Kingz defence caught out, Darren McDonald beat debut goalkeeper James Bannatyne.

Vlahos gave the Kingz the lead for the second time midway through the second half, but then let Wollongong back in minutes later when Tony Perinich scored.

While the Kingz happily picked up their second point of the season, they finished the game in frustration when Vlahos, one of only a couple of players to show much this season, was sent off in stoppage time after a clash with former Kingz midfielder Mennillo.

For a team who went through last season without the worry of having players red-carded, it was disappointing to see Vlahos following George Goutzioulis in earning a compulsory suspension.

While both sides took their second points of the season, neither coach would have left the stadium satisfied.

For long periods it was a game which seemed headed nowhere between two teams struggling to recapture their better form.

For the Kingz there was some satisfaction in collecting a point away from home.

In turning in a better defensive effort, they gave fans some hope, but neither team showed anything to suggest it will be a top-six contender.

Football Kingz 2 (Jonathan Perry, Andy Vlahos) Wollongong Wolves 2 (Darren McDonald, Tony Perinich). Halftime: 1-1.