Melbourne City and Perth Glory have played out an entertaining draw in a tale of two halves between in-form sides.
A lifeless first half was followed by an enthralling second period, as Aaron Mooy’s 48th minute opener was cancelled out by Richard Garcia in the 62nd minute, with both teams enjoying a plethora of opportunities to score more goals.
The first chance of the game saw Robbie Wielaert, playing in an unfamiliar position at right fullback, with a marauding run forward and pass to Melling, but his shot was blocked by a defender.
David Williams was the next to exploit space on the right side, finding space to tee up Aaron Mooy for a chance on goal, but the recently snubbed Socceroo hopeful hit a tame shot at Danny Vukovic.
A rare Perth foray forward resulted in a penalty appeal after Richard Garcia was taken down in the box by Patrick Kisnorbo, but his theatrics perhaps put off the referee who called a corner kick instead.
With both sides barely threatening the goals, David Williams had a rare shot on target, heading a speculative cross into the safe hands of Danny Vukovic.
It took just two minutes for Aaron Mooy to break the deadlock in the second half, tucking a left footed effort past the ‘keeper after David Williams’ clever run and pass into the box.
Melling was the next to seemingly walk through a sluggish Glory defence, but nobody was in the box to turn in his effort across the face of goal.
Tando Velaphi, who barely had a touch in the first half, survived a nervy moment when he dropped an aerial ball allowing Michael Thwaite to attempt an overhead kick at goal, with Erik Paartalu cleaning up off the line.
The Sky Blues’ shot stopper would be left high and dry in the 62nd minute, as a Scott Jamieson set piece was nodded in by an unmarked Richard Garcia, with the former City man proceeding to celebrate in front of the irate home fans.
The hosts found themselves under pressure from a set piece again, as Dino Djulbic lost Kisnorbo to volley another dangerous Jamieson delivery at goal, only for Velaphi to stick out a foot.
Last week’s derby hero Paartalu was the next player to threaten from a set piece, heading at Vukovic, who then had to pull off two more top saves to deny Mooy twice more.
Andy Keogh then got himself into the game, running onto a through ball and trying to poke an effort past Velaphi, who was up to the task to deny the Irishman.
That’s how the contest would end, with neither side able to nab a late winner at AAMI Park.
Melbourne City (Mooy 48′) drew with Perth Glory (Garcia 62′) at AAMI Park
Melbourne City: 20. Tando Velaphi (GK), 3. Robbie Wielaert, 4. Connor Chapman, 5. Erik Paartalu, 6. Aaron Mooy, 7. Iain Ramsay, 15. David Williams (14. James Brown 82′), 19. Ben Garuccio, 23. Mate Dugandzic (11. Damien Duff 58′), 24. Patrick Kisnorbo, 25. Jacob Melling (10. Robi Koren 69′)
Unused Subs: 1. Andrew Redmayne (GK), 28. Liam Miller
Yellow Cards: Kisnorbo 67′
Red Cards: None
Perth Glory: 1. Danny Vukovic (GK), 5. Rostyn Griffiths, 6. Dino Djulbic, 8. Ruben Zadkovich, 9. Andy Keogh, 11. Richard Garcia, 14. Chris Harold (2. Jack Clisby 88′), 19. Josh Risdon, 20. Danny de Silva (16. Sidnei Sciola 69′), 21. Scott Jamieson, 23. Michael Thwaite
Unused Subs: 18. Jack Duncan (GK), 3. Brandon O’Neill, 15. Jamie Maclaren,
Yellow Cards: Garcia 64′
Red Cards: None