Socceroos in Hyundai A-League: Maclaren ends goal drought as Redmayne denies Glory

Melbourne City may have been held to a draw by Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday night but it was a return to form for their Socceroos striker Jamie Maclaren.

Before the clash at AAMI Park, the City striker had failed to find the net in his previous three Hyundai A-League matches.

But Maclaren ended his mini-drought by slotting a penalty to earn Erick Mombaerts’ men a 1-1 draw as they remain in second spot on the Hyundai A-League ladder.

The goal was the 26-year-old’s 15th of the campaign, taking him equal second on the goalscorers charts alongside Western United FC star Besart Berisha.

The pair are just one goal behind current Golden Boot leader Adam Le Fondre, who drew a blank in Sydney FC’s goalless draw against Perth Glory.

Maclaren’s goal cancelled out the opener from the Wanderers’ Australian U-23 international Tate Russell.

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WATCH: Russell nets maiden Hyundai A-League goal

Russell netted his first Hyundai A-League goal midway through the first half, finishing off a neat team move when he tucked away Nicolai Muller’s squared pass.

It was an eventful night for 20-year-old Russell, who went hero-to-villain soon after as he fouled Craig Noone in the box to allow Maclaren to net from the spot.

Earlier on Saturday, Sydney FC and Glory played out a hard-fought 0-0 draw, with the host’s Socceroos duo among the best on the pitch at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.

Sydney goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne didn’t have a lot to do but made one vital save to deny Bruno Fornaroli late on.

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WATCH: Redmayne keeps out Fornaroli's powerful drive

Rhyan Grant put in his customary tireless display down the right flank and was inches away from a goal just before the break.

The right-back made a near post run to get on the end of Luke Brattan’s free-kick but his first-time effort went just over the bar.

Meanwhile, Australian U-23 international Reno Piscopo continued his outstanding 2019/20 Season with an assist in Wellington Phoenix’s 3-0 drubbing of Melbourne Victory.

Piscopo got on the end of Tim Payne’s cross in just the third minute, nodding back into the path of Ulises Davila to thunder a shot into the roof of the net.

It was the start of a dominant performance from the Phoenix, who added further goals from Englishman Gary Hooper and David Ball to consolidate third spot on the Hyundai A-League table.

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WATCH: Piscopo sets up Davila's goal
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