Brisbane Roar's impressive undefeated streak in the A-League has come to a dramatic and frustrating end, stopped in its tracks by a combination of stormy weather and the clinical boot of Macarthur FC substitute Harrison Sawyer.
Storm Delays and a Debut Dream
The Friday night fixture at Campbelltown Stadium was thrown into disarray before a ball was even kicked, with dangerous lightning in the area forcing officials to delay the scheduled 6pm AEDT kick-off by over an hour. When play finally commenced, it was the visiting Roar who looked more settled, aiming to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches.
Their persistence paid off just three minutes after the half-time break. A slick attacking move involving Youstin Salas, Henry Hore, and Justin Vidic set up debutant Matthew Dench. The 22-year-old midfielder, part of a reshuffled Brisbane lineup, showed great composure to slot home a first-time, left-footed finish and mark his first A-League appearance with a goal.
Sawyer Steals the Show from the Spot
The Roar's lead and their unbeaten record, however, would unravel within a chaotic 25-minute period. Macarthur coach Mile Sterjovski's decision to introduce former Roar youth striker Harrison Sawyer proved to be a masterstroke.
The momentum swung decisively in the 66th minute when Roar defender Lucas Herrington fouled Bernardo Oliveira in the box. Sawyer, who entered the fray as a substitute, stepped up and calmly sent his penalty into the bottom corner, leaving goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis with no chance.
The drama intensified just seven minutes later. Sawyer was again involved, earning a second penalty for his side after being fouled by Brisbane substitute Noah Maieroni, who had only just entered the match. With ice in his veins, Sawyer repeated the trick from twelve yards, again wrong-footing Bouzanis to complete the turnaround and send the home fans into raptures.
Fine Margins and Looking Ahead
Speaking to Paramount Plus after the match, the two-goal hero was quick to credit his teammates. "We knew it would come down to fine margins," Sawyer said. "My teammates did a lot of hard work. I just kicked the ball in from 12 yards (twice). It's a team effort, and we're really happy."
For Brisbane, it was a bitter pill to swallow after controlling large portions of the game. They had earlier chances through Chris Long and skipper Jay O'Shea, but couldn't convert. The result marks only their second loss of the season, with both defeats occurring on the road.
The win is Macarthur FC's third of the campaign and provides a vital boost as they prepare to face Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Tuesday night. Brisbane Roar, meanwhile, must regroup before their next challenge: a New Year's Eve trip to Gosford to take on the Central Coast Mariners.
