Our NPL NSW side faces a difficult away trip against APIA Leichhardt on Saturday night.
It is proving to be a tough end to the season for a young Wanderers team who have been dealt many challenges in the back half of the 2024 campaign.
They fought hard for much of last week’s clash on the road against Blacktown City, where they were resolute in defence in the first half as an experienced Blacktown put them under the cosh.
However, five minutes after the break Matthew O’Donoghue received a straight red card, and the undermanned Wanderers eventually fell to a 3-0 defeat as the home side exploited their extra man advantage.
The Wanderers will be without O’Donoghue and Dimo Dimo, with the latter also receiving a straight red card in the dying minutes of the match.
It hasn’t been all bad news recently for the Academy prospects, with Awan Lual and Jesse Cameron making their first-team debuts in the first-team’s Australia Cup win over Brisbane City.
The pair will look to carry the confidence into the game against APIA, who haven’t been in the best form themselves in recent weeks.
They have gone five games without a win in the league, being defeated late on by Rockdale last weekend, as well as a surprise loss to Central Coast and being held to a draw by Sydney Olympic.
Their quality is evident and they taught the Wanderers a lesson earlier in the season as a Ben Gibson hat-trick led them to a big win over the Red and Black at Wanderers Football Park.
They also won the league match at Lambert Park last season, scoring late after the game was locked at 1-1 for much of the second half.
NPL NSW Round 27
APIA Leichhardt FC vs Western Sydney Wanderers FC
Saturday 3rd August, 5:30 p.m.
Lambert Park
