A late fightback from the Western Sydney Wanderers NPL side has fallen short, as St George City FA emerged 2-1 winners in a tight contest at Wanderers Football Park.
Both sides had chances in the opening phases of play to score, with Kosta Petratos for the visitors hitting the crossbar after a minute, and Zac Sapsford having two good opportunities to score but being just unable to hit the target with either.
The Wanderers enjoyed more possession and slightly more chances, but they conceded the first goal in the 27th minute when Presley Ortiz worked his way into the box and finished low into the goal.
Lawrence Caruso pulled off a fantastic stop to deny St George captain Tarik Ercan from doubling the lead with a curled long range effort.
Ercan would be at the centre of the action again at half time when his desperate slide tackle denied Alex Badolato from scoring from point blank range.
It would prove to be a crucial tackle as minutes later the away side doubled their lead when Kosta Petratos received the ball from a corner routine and fired the ball home at the near post.
The Wanderers weren’t down and out yet, as they halved the deficit in the 62nd minute through a wonderful Jesse Cameron strike.
The ball fell to the fullback outside the box, and as the defence failed to close him down he unleashed a curling effort that went into the top corner leaving the keeper stranded.
The Wanderers pushed for an equaliser, and Sapsford almost had it when he got his head to a free kick in the box, but his header glanced off the post and away from the goal; it would be the Wanderers final big chance of the match as St George were able to hold on for the win.
Western Sydney are on the road next week as they make the short trip to Edensor Park and Sydney United.
