USL PDL side Austin Aztex have been on quite a run recently but found themselves in a tussle to the end in the previous couple of nights with back to back matches against New Orleans Jesters.
The visiting NOLA side have seen a topsy turvy start to their current season with a win, a loss and a draw before this two day trip to Austin, so were perhaps apprehensive at visiting the current league leaders who themselves have seen a brilliant start to their campaign with 4 wins and only the one loss.
Austin have been electric in front of goal in the previous games, with 19 goals scored and only the 2 conceded, so had every right to believe that these two home ties at House Park on Friday and Saturday night would bring more of the same.
A crowd of 946 packed in on Friday and watched as the game swung from end to end but it was the home side that took the lead on 40 minutes through Chuy Cortes but the lead didn’t last until the half time break as Manny Yamson grabbed the late equalizer.
New Orleans were quickest out the blocks in the second period and advanced in front 13 minutes in thanks to Mullins. They looked like holding on until the end but a late foul in the 82nd minute by Brandon Tyler allowed the home side a penalty, which was duly slotted home by Pereira to make the score 2-2.
Aneyelo for the Jesters was red carded near the final whistle but not enough time remained for the Aztex to apply pressure to affect the outcome in the first half of this double header between the two sides.
Saturday saw both sides return for the second tie and after the previous nights 2-2 draw, neither side expected an easy match.
The Aztex rang the changes for Saturdays match with 9 changes to the side that took the field from the night previous and with these changes came a slight alteration in formation from their usual 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-1-2.
Pereira nearly opened the scoring on 25 minutes with an audacious 60 yard effort when he spotted his opponent goalkeeper well off his line but unfortunately his attempt didn’t hit the target but the chance shook the keeper to his foundation and will perhaps think again in the future about playing so far from his goal-line.
NOLA’s Mullins grabbed the all important opener though just moments later after firstly winning his side a penalty, and then slotting the spot kick home to give his team the lead which they were to hold on to going into the half time break.
It was home team hero Pereira that was to score the equalizing goal once again, to added to his already impressive tally of goals that he has managed so far this PDL season in order to make the score-line 1-1 early in the second period of 45 minutes.
With chances short in the remaining time in the match, NOLA were to be awarded a second penalty kick but this time, Aztec keeper Josh Mikulewicz was to keep the shot at bay to keep his side level.
The match ended this way with perhaps both sides happy with a point apiece in both matches over the two nights.
Final scores
Friday Austin Aztex 2 New Orleans Jesters 2
Saturday Austin Aztex 1 New Orleans Jesters 1
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