Toronto FC Academy Senior Team extended their unbeaten run to five matches in the Canadian Soccer League with a 1-1 draw against Milltown FC.

The Reds began the match well and almost took the lead as early as the third minute when Kevan Aleman played a short corner with Oscar Cordon before swinging in a cross to the back post that Nicholas Lindsay just failed to direct on target.

TFC Academy had an advantage with the wind behind them in the first half and were able to put pressure on Milltown FC throughout the first half. That pressure paid dividends in the 13th minute when Kevan Aleman and Josh Janneire combined well down the flank before Janniere chipped a delightful cross to the back post for Cordon to hit a first time volley for his first goal of the season.

Milltown FC fought back and created a good chance of their own as Danilo Richards raced onto a through ball but his shot failed to test Angelo Cavaluzzo in goal.

TFC were presented with an excellent opportunity to extend their lead when Cordon showed good footwork in the box before being blatantly tripped and referee Peter Pendli immediately pointed to the spot. Nicholas Lindsay assumed responsibility and the match winner from a month ago when these two sides met failed to beat goal keeper Scott Cliff who dove to his right to save the penalty and keep the visitors in the game.

Minutes later TFC thought they had increased their advantage when Lindsay hit a direct free kick on target which Scott Cliff did well to get a hand to. Tristan Jackman reacted quickly and hit the rebound into the goal but the linesman waved for offside.

The front three of Lindsay, Jackman and Aleman were a handful for the home side with their pace and movement once again causing havoc in the 38th minute but Lindsay’s shot narrowly missed the top corner of the goal.

Milltown FC tied the match in the 45th minute when Danilo Richards swung in a delightful cross and striker Lesley St. Fleur got ahead of his defender and executed a diving header which left Angelo Cavaluzzo with no chance in goal. The referee blew the whistle for halftime only seconds later which gave a big boost to the home side.

The second half was more uneventful with Milltown FC failing to take advantage of having the wind at their backs. The game started to get aggressive and a number fouls by the home side went unpunished until defender Tristan Scott was ejected in the 90th minute. The two teams shared the points and Milltown FC remain 3 points behind TFC Academy in the standings.

"I was very pleased with our first half performance today," said Academy Senior Team Head Coach Jason Bent. "The movement, pace and speed of play was excellent which contributed to the number of first half chances we created."

"The game was always going to be a tale of two halves as the windy conditions certainly played a factor. We had an excellent opportunity to go up 2-0 but unfortunately it was not meant to be today. I cannot fault Nicholas Lindsay as he was the match winner against Milltown FC a month ago. For a young man, it would have been very easy for him to go in a shell and hide after the missed penalty but he continued to work ever so hard for the team and wanted the ball on every occasion which shows me that he is getting mentally stronger."

"We will take the point and continue to fight until the end of the season. It is September and we are one point off the league leaders with five games to go so we’ll move on from this result and continue to improve. Our desire is to finish the regular season top of the league and we are as determined as ever."