The Wanderers Foxtel NYL team play their first home game of the season this Sunday against Central Coast Mariners at Marconi Stadium with kick-off at 10:30am.
Western Sydney Wanderers
There is a mixture of first-timers, players in their second NYL season and players who have Hyundai A-League experience in this season’s line-up for the Wanderers.
Fans will be familiar with a number of players including Liam Youlley, captain Daniel Alessi and Shayne D’Cunha while players such as Jonathon Aspropotamitis, Alusine Fofanah and Joshua McDonald are all eligible to play for the team.
The team has already put in one good performance this season with a 3-3 draw against the Newcastle Jets that was so close to being a Round 1 win until conceeded a 93rd minute equaliser.
Mario Shabow will be a player to watch over the coming weeks of the league. The attacking midfielder has recently been playing on the wing and has set up many chances for the squad due to his creative ability.
Tariq Maia dominated the number 10 role in the clubs draw against the Newcastle Jets last weekend and will be critical to attributing to and creating any attacking play we have in our upcoming match.
Lachlan Scott will also be a quintessential part of the side as the centre forward is dangerous on the ball and a stereotypical target man which was proven in his set up of the third goal against the Jets.
Trevor Morgan has also retained his role as Head Coach of the Youth Team this season.
Central Coast Mariners
The Mariners have refreshed their squad keeping only a few of their players from the 2014/15 Foxtel National Youth team picking up some fresh new players from the PS4 National Premier League and opposition clubs.
Striker Trent Buhagiar, right-back Brian Jamba, midfielder Daniel McFarlane, goalkeeper Adam Pearce and winger Lachlan Wales return to the Mariners this season with most of them experiencing the youth league for the third time.
Their upcoming match against the Wanderers will also see some former players of the Red & Black take to the field as the opponent with Jake Adelson and Tom Heward-Belle joining the Mariners this season.
Some of the Mariners squad have also been given the opportunity to train with the senior team on a regular basis with Jake Adelson, Adam Berry, Adam Pearce, Tom Bell, Brian Jamba and Ryan Peterson being key players to watch in Sunday’s game.
Changes have also been made at the helm of the squad with Joe Haywood being appointed as Head Coach of the Youth Team after numerous coaching and youth development stints overseas in the United States and the United Kingdom, most notably being his time in Manchester City FC’s youth department.
Round One Results
The Wanderers played away from home in the opening round of the Foxtel National Youth League and were very unlucky to walk away with the draw after conceding a 93rd minute equaliser by the Newcastle Jets.
A double to Lachlan Scott and a goal to Tariq Maia looked to have given the Wanderers the perfect start to the season but it was heartbreaking moment for the club who if walking away with the victory would have won all matches across all leagues that weekend.
The Central Coast Mariners similarly did not have the best start to the season hosting their first match against Sydney FC.
Unluckily for the Mariners, two goals from the Sky Blues in the first half was enough to seal the victory despite the Mariners coming out firing in the second half with Lachlan Wales getting onto the scoresheet.
Upcoming Match
The Western Sydney Wanderers will take on the Central Coast Mariners at Marconi Stadium at 10.30am.
In the afternoon, the W-League side will take to the field in a double header against Melbourne Victory.
Entry into both matches is free for members.
