The Western Sydney Wanderers NPL side fell to a narrow 1-0 loss against Sutherland Sharks at Wanderers Football Park on Easter Sunday.
Despite creating plenty of chances, an Alexander Brown goal just before half-time condemned the Wanderers to defeat.
The Wanderers started well and had two early chances through Zac Sapsford and Alex Badolato, but both efforts were straight at the keeper.
Daniel Wilmering had the side’s best chance as he smashed a free-kick from a central position off the crossbar, before Ariath Piol won the ball high up the pitch to get a one-on-one chance, but Marko Bulic in the Sutherland goal was able to deny him with a good save.
Bulic was then arguably lucky to stay on the pitch when he fouled an onrushing Piol as the last man, however the referee decided to only caution the keeper.
The Wanderers would be left to rue their missed opportunities just before half-time when Fumoto Kamada burst into the box and cut the ball back to Brown, who swept the ball past Lawrence Caruso.
The away side, galvanised by their goal, were able to get into a solid shape in the second half that proved difficult to break down. Sapsford had a great chance from yet another free-kick, and he forced Bulic to make an athletic diving stop to preserve his side’s lead.
As the Wanderers pushed forward for an equaliser, the Sharks attempted to hit back on the counter, and they had two chances in quick succession with 11 minutes left, which required Caruso to make a brilliant double save.
The young Wanderers pushed for a crucial equaliser, but Sutherland were able to hold them off and secure a 1-0 victory, which leaves the Wanderers in 14th place. They have another home match next week against bottom side Bulls FC Academy.
