Harb the Hero: Late Equaliser Caps Off Thrilling Draw
Jyden Harb’s dramatic 82nd-minute equaliser ensured the points were shared in an entertaining 2-2 draw between UNSW FC and Blacktown City at The Village Green on Saturday afternoon.
In a frantic start to the Round 13 clash, both sides struck within the opening four minutes before ultimately finishing locked at two apiece.
UNSW FC, fresh off a dramatic stoppage-time 2-1 defeat to Sydney Olympic last weekend, couldn’t have asked for a better start, opening the scoring just 60 seconds in. It was a beautifully worked move, with UNSW FC switching the ball cleverly across the pitch. Oliver Pufflett delivered a sweeping pass out to the right into the path of the on-rushing Gil Duffy, who unselfishly squared for Harb to tap home his fifth goal of the season.
However, their lead was short-lived, with Blacktown responding just two minutes later. An inswinging corner found the head of Travis Major, who collided with former teammate and goalkeeper Tristian Prendergast, but the ball found its way into the back of the net to bring the visitors level.
The tempo eventually settled, with both sides evenly matched through the remainder of the half.
UNSW FC came closest to restoring their lead with two quick-fire chances, as both Pufflett and Harb found space inside the penalty area, but neither could trouble Cayden Henderson, with both efforts failing to hit the target.
With less than three minutes remaining in the first half, Blacktown struck again to take the lead heading into the break.
Following an UNSW FC free kick, Blacktown City cleared their lines and found Jak O’Brien on the halfway line. With plenty still to do, O’Brien held off two defenders before picking out the oncoming Mitchell Mallia, who fired his side in front.
The second half began in a more measured fashion, with limited clear-cut chances.
Blacktown City were content to absorb pressure and look to strike on the counter, while UNSW FC pushed forward in search of an equaliser.
That pressure eventually paid off in the 82nd minute, as Harb grabbed his second of the afternoon. A driven low cross from substitute Anthony Barbic found Harb, whose first-time finish gave Henderson no chance and brought the home side back on level terms.
Both teams had late opportunities to snatch all three points, but neither could find the decisive breakthrough and were ultimately forced to settle for a share of the spoils.
“I thought we were pretty good today,” said UNSW FC Head Coach Gabe Knowles.
“We created a lot of chances, and Tristian [Prendergast] barely had to make a save in the second half.
“So I think we’re unfortunate not to take all three points.”
Match Stats
UNSW FC 2 (Jyden Harb 2′, 82’)
Blacktown City 2 (Travis Major 4’, Mitchell Mallia 43’)
Saturday 2nd May, 2026
The Village Green
Referee: Jackson Mackie
Assistant Referees: Arinath Gobinath and Daniel Cornofsky
Fourth Official: James Makris
UNSW FC: 1. Tristian Prendergast, 3. Emilio Vinci (16. Kai Kamikura 87’), 4. Liam Wood, 6. Grant Lynch, 11. Jack Fulton (9. Kevin Lopes 69’), 14. Lachlan Campbell, 15. Corby Fowler, 17. Jyden Harb, 19. Oliver Pufflett (10. Nathan Roberts 69’), 21. Alexander Malfara (18. Conor Quilliganx 62’), 22. Gil Duffy (20. Anthony Barbic 62’)
Substitutes Not Used: 5. Claudio Fabiano, 9. Kevin Lopes, 12. Cassius Flavell
Yellow Cards: Lachlan Campbell 29’
Red Cards: Nathan Roberts 90 + 4
Blacktown City: 1. Cayden Henderson, 3. Lachlan Tilt, 4. Nicholas O’Brien, 6. Adam Berry, 7. Travis Major, 8. Jak O’Brien (16. Riley Nolan 56’), 14. Mitchell Mallia (18. Jake Briggs 72’), 19. Sebastian Hayward, 21. Aiden Renshaw, 22. Jacob Maniti, 27. Nathan Grimaldi (11. Kodai Tanaka 46’)
Substitutes Not Used: 9. Nikola Skataric, 17. Julian Rodriguez, 20. Cooper Rogers, 33. Sebastian Mileto
Yellow Cards: Nathan Grimaldi 41’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 – Jyden Harb (UNSW)
2 – Jak O’Brien (BCT)
1 – Gil Duffyl (UNSW)
By Keane McKenna
