An amazing hat-trick from Ulises Davila helped Macarthur FC to a thrilling 3-3 draw in the A-League Unite Round opener last night against Western United.
His first goal, a left foot thunderbolt from outside the penalty box brought the Bulls back level on the scoreboard, United having scored first just three minutes into the match.
The first half finished with the teams even at 1-1, a talking point because these two teams have a history of stalemates.
But they didn’t reckon on Davila, who showed another side to his game when he scored his second goal 52 minutes in.
A Bulls attack was foiled close to the United goal, but the Bulls skipper challenged the defender, pinched the ball from him and dribbled around the goalie to calmly slot the ball into the back of the net.
It was an inspirational moment from the Bulls captain, not just because of the goal, but his never give up attitude.
At this stage it’s important to note that the Bulls were playing their fourth match in just 12 days, and everyone expected that fatigue was inevitable at some stage.
And that is precisely what happened, despite Bulls coach Mile Sterjovski sending in fresh legs at various stages in the second half.
The Bulls were just hanging in as United pressed hard for an equaliser, and it eventually came 20 minutes after Davila’s second.
At 2-2 both sides had chances in front of goal, but desperate defence put paid to that.
The exception was a header from Lachie Rose at close range which went just wide of the post.
Five minutes before the end of normal time another goal to United gave them the lead at 3-2.
But just when you thought all was lost for Macarthur, Davila, pictured, strikes again with 20 second to go before stoppage time was added on.
Gerry Skotadis curled a cross into the heart of the penalty box and who pops up to head it but the Mexican wizard who goes by the name Ulises Davila.
He wasn’t even facing the goalmouth when he made contact, but the ball ricocheted off a United defender and ended into the top left hand corner.
After six minutes of stoppage time, the ref blew time with the scores locked at 3-3 – the third draw in a row for Macarthur.
As for the hat-trick hero, hopefully the club can sign Davila to a long term contract because he is streets ahead as the team’s most valuable player.
The second most valuable player is the Bulls goalkeeper Filip Kurto, who saved a stack of certain goals, including three in a row in the last five minutes of the first half.
I counted at least two more in the second half, so Kurto is another player that must be secured long term by the Bulls front office.
For their next game in round 13, Macarthur head to Brisbane to take on the Roar next Thursday, January 18, kick off 7.45pm NSW time.
The Bulls will return to Campbelltown Stadium on Sunday, January 28 to host Perth Glory, with kick off at 5pm.
