Underground 4 : Karen United 4

CONTROVERSIAL DECISIONS SEE HONOURS EVEN IN AVONDALE

A late goal was the difference between three points and seven for Underground FC after they drew 4-4 with Karen United in controversial circumstances at Riversdale Reserve in Avondale.

A brace to Long Tran and a superb header to Tim de Beer gave Underground a 3-0 lead after the first half as they looked like coasting to a surprise victory.

But a stubborn Karen United fought back with two five-minute periods to square the ledger with a goal that looked to have gone past the goalposts only for then-sideline umpire not to signal it.

The confusion allowed the diminutive striker to seal a thrilling comeback for the blue-shirted bunch.

With seven minutes to play there was still time for a winner, but the Karen goalkeeper did his best to ensure it would remain at 4-4.

The result sees both sides move to 10 points after securing two points for the draw and the bonus point for the fourth goal.

Andrew Dunn was immense for Underground FC

Tran gave Underground the lead thanks to a superb run that saw the keeper stranded. With many options ahead it was a simple tap in for the debutant to ensure he got off the mark in his opening game.

One became two for the Vietnamese import as he headed the ball past the goalkeeper from a cross to double Underground's lead.

Tim de Beer soon got in on the action with a superbly timed jump that saw him head the ball into the top left corner to hand the Red Shirts with a surprise 3-0 lead at halftime.

It clearly rattled Karen United as they came out firing to the delight of the dozen supporters on the sideline.

The cheers of the supporters rung high when they scored their first goal through what looked to be a contentious penalty to de Beer. What looked like a ball-to-hand scenario in the box was instead deemed to be a handball, and the striker made no mistake.

Their second goal came within two minutes as they pounced on a loose ball and finished it in style.

Liam Badger then scored for Underground with 20 minutes to play as Ryan Hodgson's men breathed a deep sigh of relief.

But the letup lasted no longer than 10 minutes as a resurgent Karen United stormed home thanks to another defensive slip up that saw the deficit reduced to one before the contentious goal broke the hearts of Underground FC and delighted the dozen or so supporters who were in attendance.

SCORES:

Underground FC: 4

Goals: Long Tran 2, Tim de Beer 1, Liam Badger 1.

Karen United: 4

HT: 3-0.