Preston Lions and Avondale play out first goalless stalemate in Australian Championship
Round Three of the Australian Championship kicked off with the first scoreless draw of the competition, with home side Preston Lions unable to find a way through Avondale FC.
The result means that Avondale remain on top of Group C, but given the flow of chances in the fixture, Preston will feel hard done by to not leave with all three points.
Preston Lions v Avondale FC
NPL Victoria Premiers Avondale were slight favourites heading into the game. They started the match on the front foot accordingly, dominating possession and having a number of sights on goal.
However, Preston built into the game throughout the first half, and always looked dangerous in transition. Jason Romero’s long shot in the 31st minute forced Thomas Manos into a good save.
Aamir Abdallah was busy for Avondale, and fired a shot well over the crossbar five minutes later.
The first half came to a close without any real clear-cut chances for either team. Luca Tevere was introduced by Avondale Head Coach Jonatan Germano in an attempt to shift the game in the visitors’ favour.
Avondale were largely in control of possession, but it was the home side who created the better chances, with their pace up top presenting challenges for Avondale.
In the 53rd minute, Manos was forced to come off his line to stifle one of those opportunities for Adisu Bayew.
Romero hit the crossbar in the 71st minute after another Preston break, before firing the best opportunity of the game over the frame of goal ten minutes later.
Bruno Fornaroli almost created a winner out of nothing for Avondale. His shot from just outside the penalty area, in the final minute of regulation time, forced a good low save out of Ryan Scott.
It was Preston who had the final opportunity, however. Deep in stoppage time, experienced defender Matthew Reid was forced into conceding his second yellow card when Lleyton Brooks used his speed to get in behind Avondale’s defence, setting Brooks up for a free kick just outside the penalty area.
However, the blockbuster finish was not to be. Brooks’ strike flew over the crossbar to ensure that the Victorian derby ended with a point apiece.