Mandurah City and Armadale came away with a point each after an entertaining 2-2 draw at Hyundai Stadium.

Three goals in the space of five minutes early in the second half sprung the match to life following a 0-0 deadlock at half time.

Clear skies and warm conditions allowed for a fast, free-flowing game which had Armadale doing all the attacking from the get-go with Gary Faria providing several through balls from midfield to spark the away side’s strikers.

Armadale’s early showing was that of a different side who lost 9-1 at home to the Dolphins in Round 7.

As Armadale continued to press forward throughout the first half, Mandurah’s left-back James Hesketh tugged James Robinson’s shirt in the penalty area and referee Mathew Cheeseman did not hesitate in pointing to the spot.

Faria stepped up to take the spot-kick but his shot blazed high over the crossbar for an early wasted opportunity by the Reds who couldn’t capitalise on what would have been a deserved lead.

Mandurah’s coach Stuart Currie would have been livid at another poor first-half showing following last week’s disappointing effort against Fremantle Spirit.

The home side bounced back brilliantly from kick-off and Phil O’Callaghan scored the opener after holding off two Armadale defenders and slotting past ‘keeper Cyril Sharrock, following a lovely long-ball from Andy Brown.

The match became a very even contest with both sides having a share of the possession early in the second half, but only three minutes later, Armadale equalised through Kodi Madeley.

The Armadale midfielder found the ball bounce at his feet and he volleyed it into the top left corner of the net, beating Mandurah shot-stopper Michael Green.

Just as the crowd had time to catch their breath from the electrifying start to the second half, another penalty was awarded – this time to Mandurah – following Brown being fouled inside the area.

O’Callaghan stepped up to coolly slot his second, with a low-left shot which fooled Sharrock, who dived in the opposite direction.

A Mandurah counter nearly saw Christian Paschkewitz grab the home side’s third, following a deep cross from Jeff Bright, but the delivery from the left corner was centimetres too high for Paschkewitz to make contact.

Armadale’s Faria looked to make amends for his earlier penalty blunder and he brought the best out of goalkeeper Green, who tipped his dipping free-kick over the crossbar.

A fantastic through-ball from Armadale’s Madeley sent Robinson charging towards goal, but Mandurah’s last defender, Chris Currie, pulled back the Armadale striker just outside the box to cause Cheeseman to give Currie his marching orders.

Moments later in the 73rd minute, another Armadale attack saw Robinson capture the ball with a fantastic first-touch and shoot past Green to give the away side a deserved equaliser.

Both sides had chances in the final 15 minutes of play to snatch a victory, but it was not to be.

The result saw Mandurah hold onto fifth place in the Football West State Premier League and Armadale skipped another point clear of last-placed Fremantle who lost 3-1 to Swan I.C.

Mandurah City 2 (O’Callaghan 49’ 54’P)
Armadale 2 (Madeley 52’, Robinson 73’)

Half time: 0-0

Referee: M. Cheeseman

Mandurah City: M. Green, C. Currie, J. Bright, J. Bonser, A. Brown, C. Paschkewitz (R. Cuthbert 79’), P. O’Callaghan, R. Townsend, G. Collins, J. Hesketh, G. Attrill (R. McDarby 62’). Subs not used: S. Keary, D. Dyson, D. Ainslie.

Yellow Cards: C. Currie 55’, C. Paschkewitz 67’

Red Cards: C. Currie 71’

Armadale: C. Sharrock, D. Platten, A. Bowyer, M. Darby, M. Bennion (A. Pomfret 66’), S. Dally (M. Atak 75’), K. Madeley, G. Faria, R. Pearson, J. Robinson, N. Oishi (J. Brunetto 80’). Subs not used: A. Preece.

Yellow Cards: A. Bowyer 41’, C. Sharrock 50’, D. Platten 89’