Macarthur FC took one step closer to their chances of finishing in the playoff places with a 2-1 win over Western United in A-League on Monday.
The visitors put their recent 2-1 loss to Central Coast Mariners behind, beating Western United thanks to two first-half goals from Markel Susaeta and Mark Milligan.
Ante Milicic’s side set the tempo of the game early and were all over rather hapless hosts in the opening minutes. Such was their dominance of the game that Mark Rudan’s side could not help but foul them to get anywhere the ball, such that before the 25th minute, the hosts had given away six free kicks.
But the rough treatment from Western United couldn’t deter the visitors who were rewarded for a fine start with a goal in the 27th minute by Markel Susaeta.
The Spanish winger found the back of the net for his fifth goal of the campaign to open the scoring.
Shortly after that, Matt Derbyshire provided his second assist of the day when he set up Mark Milligan to score his side’s second of the game.
The hosts came back in the second half in better shape and halved the deficit in the 63rd minute through Iker Guarrotxena.
But the goal was not enough to spur a comeback for the hosts, who had to settle with a loss.
The result ensures that Macarthur take charge of their playoffs destiny as they climb into fourth place ahead of Brisbane Roar, who drop to sixth with one game in hand.
Western United, meanwhile, stay in 10th place and extend their losing run to seven games.
