Energy FC weren’t able to pick up the three points and clinch the wrench on Saturday night, but they were able to do something they hadn’t done yet all season – earn a point away from home.

It was a dream start after Christian Volesky opened his account with OKC and put the Greens ahead in just 44 seconds. Volesky, as we’ve seen him do often during his short time with the club, made a fantastic run in behind the Tulsa Roughnecks FC defense. Alex Dixon played him perfectly in stride, and Volesky took one touch before getting off a shot to the far post. The quickness and precision of the touch and shot froze Fabian Cerda, and the ball was in the back of the net before he could react.

Tulsa equalized fifteen minutes later against the run of play. Cerda played a long ball from inside his own box and was able to pick out Jhon Pirez all the way near the OKC penalty area. Pirez collected and backheeled a perfect pass that found Joaquin Rivas all alone near the top of the box, which Rivas took first time and placed in the side netting, out of reach of Matt VanOekel.

While the execution by the Roughnecks was nearly perfect, the OKC defense will be disappointed for momentarily switching off and allowing Tulsa to score via route one football. Cerda’s ball couldn't have been any better, but Pirez was able to control and lay it off without much of a challenge. The same goes for Rivas. Tulsa’s most dangerous player went untracked and was allowed to drift freely into the box before calmly passing the ball into the back of the net.

The remainder of the match saw the majority of quality chances come from the visitors. Jon Brown did what he so often does and delivered a dangerous corner kick that found Callum Ross in the 34th minute. Unfortunately, Ross couldn’t steer the header on goal. Brown stepped up and put in another perfect corner in the 55th minute. This time, Christian Ibeagha rose to meet it with his head, but he wasn’t able to get it on target either.

Volesky nearly gave OKC the lead again in the 75th minute. Another good run by the striker was spotted by Ema Twumasi. Volesky looked up, saw Cerda coming off his line and decided to shoot first time. His shot clipped the keeper and looked like it was going to roll in, but the deflection slowed it down just enough for Tulsa defender Wyatt Omsberg to clear it before it crossed the line.

OKC started the match in a 4-1-4-1 for the second week running. It was almost the exact same lineup that beat the Colorado Springs Switchbacks a week prior. The only difference was Coady Andrews replaced Jordan Cano at center back. The FC Dallas loanee was away with his parent club as they faced Toronto FC on Friday night. New signing Kalif Alhassan was an unused substitute.

The Greens looked confident on the ball going forward, tried their luck from distance a few times and were dangerous from set pieces. Each week, it looks like the players are starting to gain confidence and gel more with this new style of play. At the end of the match, most would agree that OKC was the better side over the 90 minutes and probably deserved to take all three points and the wrench.

The captain, Ibeagha, certainly felt that way and also took the time on twitter to thank the fans that made the trip:

Huge shout to all @EnergyFC fans that made the trip out! Deserved to take all 3 points home but we keep this train moving forward! #ForCityAndClub #GloryBeToGod

— Christian Ibeagha (@xianibeagha) May 27, 2018

The better team doesn’t always win in football, but a point away from home in a derby match is never a bad result. In order to clinch the wrench, OKC needs just a point in the remaining derby match of 2018. That match is slated for August 8 and ONEOK field.

Energy FC now have 7 points but remain 16th in the Western Conference, 10 points off a playoff spot and 18 points behind conference leaders Real Monarchs SLC. Tulsa Roughnecks FC are also on 7 points but are last in the conference and have yet to win a match.

Watch this space Thursday for a preview of Matchweek 12, when Reno 1868 FC visit Taft Stadium on Saturday Night.