Stunning stoppage time strike seals point for Rangers

Mt Druitt Town Rangers secured a valuable point late into stoppage time that could go a long way in their fight against relegation following its 1-1 draw against St George City at Penshurst Park on Saturday. 

City’s usual goalscoring star Marc McNulty put the hosts ahead midway through the second half but it was a Thomas Lopez strike late in the match that stole the headlines as the Rangers rescued a point away from home.

Both sides had the measure of each other and cancelled out several promising moves until midway through the half when Dominic Cox found time and space to fizz a shot goalward that flew just over the Rangers’ bar in what proved the moment of the match thus far.

It was followed shortly after when Dylan Niski needed to be lively to keep out a thunderous effort from Louis Khoury as the home side began to find the gaps to exploit.

City had taken time to put their guests under pressure but half an hour into the game they were pinning Rangers back in and around the penalty area.

Mt Druitt were not over reliant on the long ball over the top and were content to pass their way out of danger with their new recruit Abraham Majok making inroads through the centre of the park without being able to set up a strike on goal.

St George had Niski scrambling again with the ‘keeper grateful to see the ball skim over the woodwork from another long range effort just before the break.

City were having the better of the game in not allowing Rangers a sight on goal as Jack Kenny became a virtual spectator between the sticks. It wasn’t for the lack of effort. They were pushing to relieve the pressure and did so in the final minute of the half from a couple of free-kicks they couldn’t bundle home.

With the game remaining scoreless, it would be all to play for during the second period.

Mt Druitt came out in a more attacking frame of mind in the second-half forcing Kenny into a save and a scrambled block inside the area but City were soon on the march again with several corners they were unable to capitalize upon and the stalemate remained.

Louis Khoury worked his magic on the right flank in the 65th  minute that eventually saw a cross into the box with skipper Solomon-Johhn Monahan-Vaiika, still up top from the preceding corner, bringing the ball down and attempting an audacious overhead kick that went narrowly wide.

However, City were not to be denied and less than 60 seconds later Khoury provided another inch perfect cross into the area for Marc McNulty to head home for the opening goal of the game.

It was little more than the home side deserved after dominating for long periods without reward and it was to prove costly in not putting the game to bed when they were pegged back deep into stoppage time.

Lopez finally blasted home after initially having an effort blocked but when the ball came back to him he made no mistake in burying the shot beyond the defenders and Kenny to restore parity in the 94th minute.

There was still time for City to garner all the points but were unable to turn an excellent move into the match winning goal and with no further scoring the points would be shared, much to the chagrin of the home side after a wonderfully battling performance from the Rangers.

Match Stats

St George City FC: 1 (Marc McNulty 65’)

Mt Druitt Town Rangers: 1 (Thomas Lopez 90+4’)

Penshurst Park, Penshurst Saturday, 5th July 2025

Referee: Ayad Naji

Assistants: Matthew Harris and Anastasia Filacouridis Fourth Official: Daniel Drewitt

St. George City FC: 1. Jack Kenny, 4. Solomon-Johhn Monahan-Vaiika (17. Noah Ovens 70’), 5. Lewis Miccio, 8. Dominic Cox, Marc McNulty, 10. Paolo Mitry (25. Brodie Clarkson 70’)15. Nathan Grimaldi, 18.Gonzalo Agrelos (11. Peter Kekeris 62’), 19. Jesse Photi, 23. Dakota Askew (2. Matthew Wahby 84’), 33. Louis Khoury (7. Levi Sciriugia 84’)

Subs not used: 13. Cameron Kemp

Yellow Cards: Paolo Mitry 40’, Lewis Miccio 44’

Red Cards: Nil

Mt Druitt Town Rangers: 1. Dylan Niski, 3. Danilo Doce Monteiro, 5.Theph Theph, 6. Jared Macerola, 10. Yuto Morita (17. Stevan Stanic-Floody 79’), 12. Rocco Pelle, 14. Abraham Majok (15. Caleb Jackson-Brown 70’), 22. Jude Rankin (21. William Rankin 46’), 27.Shayden Sampow, 29. Yuta Komura (20. Thomas Lopez 82’), 99. Bilal Belkadi (7. Garang Awac 79’)

Subs not used: 16. Stefan Giglio

Yellow Cards: Abraham Majok 43’, Jared Macerola 85’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Louis Khoury (SGC)

2 – Marc McNulty (SGC)

1 – Abraham Majok (MDTR)

By NPL NSW Men’s Reporter Micky Brock