The spoils were shared at Hindmarsh Stadium as Adelaide United and the Western Sydney Wanderers played out a 2-2 draw, indicating there was no Christmas hangover for either side.
While the temperature read 30 degrees the heat on the field exceeded this as both sides were desperate to revive their season after recent performances infuriated their respective managers.
The Wanderers sought to rectify last week’s derby loss to Sydney FC and took the lead right on half time through Oriol Riera.
Conceding on the cusp of half time did not faze the home side who responded minutes after the second half commenced as Nikola Mileusnic scored his debut goal for the season.
Mileusnic had a second minutes later sliding the ball through the legs of 18-year-old goalkeeper Nick Suman in an effort the latter would rather forget. In a season where the Reds have been in desperate need of a goal scorer Mileusnic rose to the occasion and now acts as an alternative to Craig Goodwin and Ben Halloran up front.
Though this lead was short lived as a former Adelaide United Championship hero Bruce Kamau equalised for the Wanderers seconds after Adelaide defender Jordan Elsey was booked a second time for a stray elbow.
Despite having the extra man the Wanderers were unable to capitalise and while it was not the result they travelled for it is a positive one nonetheless.
Meanwhile Adelaide remain inside the top six but only just.
Adelaide United 2 (Mileusnic 48’ & 55’)
Western Sydney Wanderers 2 (Riera 46’, Kamau 61’)
Attendance : 8,003
