Swan IC fought out a 2-2 draw with Mandurah City in the round five Football West Premier Division clash at Francis Street.

The home side had twice taken the lead through Damian Scali and Aaron Cole, but Mandurah replied with a stunning strike from Michael Currie and a second half goal from substitute Shane Crampton.

The visitors opened the brighter in wet conditions and forced two early corners but they came to nothing. On their first foray forward the Swans hit the front, David Perich’s corner was headed back by Cole and Michael Tronchin’s shot fell to Scali and the veteran striker fired home his fifth goal of the season after only six minutes.

Mandurah settled after the early goal and when Gary Attrill sent Jeff Bright in on goal on 19 minutes Cory Hugo was out quick to clear the danger. Bright was in again on 27 minutes, sent through by a Phil O’Callaghan pass but he fired straight at Cory Hugo.

But two minutes later the visitors leveled, and what a goal it was. Andy Brown’s cross from the right went wide to Michael Currie, the 16-year-old’s first time volley flew past Cory Hugo and into the top corner of the net.

With the Mandurah supporters still celebrating Swans hit back sixty seconds later. A free kick 20-yards from goal was given away needlessly by Mandurah and Cole made them pay firing home via a deflection off the wall to wrong foot keeper Michael Green and give the Swans back the lead. It was nearly three for the home side Perich’s cross into the box was punched clear by Green but only to Brendan Knox, the midfielder’s header back towards the empty goal went inches wide.

The rain became torrential at times as the supporters clambered for cover and Mandurah had two late chances to level. First Andy Brown’s shot on the turn on 43 minutes went wide and Keith Brown’s cross was only inches away from Michael Currie at he back post. In first half injury time the Swans should have made it three, Scali played in Knox whose shot was inches past the post.

With Coach Stuart Currie’s half time address still ringing in their ears the visitors dominated early. On two minutes O’Callaghan shot from the edge of the box was pushed around the post by Cory Hugo at full stretch.

The Swans were hitting on the counter attack and they should have scored on 64 minutes. Good work on the left by 17-year-old Alex Cocking sent Knox in on goal, he cut inside Ryan Townsend but with only Green to beat he blazed over.

Mandurah continued to set the pace with the Swans defending deep, Andy Brown headed over from close-range from a Chris Wylie cross and Crampton was in on goal after a poor Cory Hugo kick, but Cole’s last ditch tackle blocked his shot.

Cole was injured after the tackle and had to receive lengthy treatment from the club’s physio and with the big defender off the pitch Mandurah leveled. The Swans failed to clear a corner on 79 minutes and the ball fell to Crampton, who waltzed past three defenders and finished clinically past Cory Hugo from five-yards.

There was almost another instant reply from the home side, Mandurah keeper Green dropped a Knox cross from the right, and Scali crossed the ball to the back post to Tronchin whose shot was deflected wide.

The home side ended the game the better and in stoppage time they could have nicked all three points. Perich’s free kick was punched clear by Green, it fell to second half substitute Shane Webb, whose shot fell to Cocking clear on goal but the youngsters first touch let him down and the chance was gone.

Both Coaches were pleased with the point. Mandurah Coach Stuart Currie said: “I’m happy with a point today, although we didn’t play well in the first half. I was disappointed to lose two goals to set pieces.

“I’m not one, who rants and raves at the players, but I did at half time, and we came out the second half and we went at Swan and gave it everything they had and I think we deserved the point.”

Swans Coach Paul Lincoln said: “We’re happy with the point, we’re still unbeaten at home which is pleasing, but Mandurah are a quality side, and I think Stuart would be more disappointed not to take the three points today.

“We played a number of kids today, but we could have nicked all three points near the end so I’ve got too pleased with the guy’s effort today.”

Swan IC – GK Cory Hugo, Justin Hugo, Cole, Ando, McNally, Knox, Perich, Scali, Tronchin (Webb 88), Mason (Monterosso 81), Cocking

Subs Not Used: Agudelo, Mahady

Mandurah City – GK Green, Chris Currie, Bright, Michael Currie (Crampton 53), Keith Brown, Andy Brown, O’Callaghan, Townsend, Attrill (Young 62), Wylie, Dyson (Matthews 45)

Subs not Used: Bloor, McCulloch

Referee: Michael Nuges

Football West Reporter - Peter Simcox