The Western Sydney Wanderers have defeated the Gladesville Ravens 2-1 at Wanderers Football Park last Sunday, collecting all three points despite a late surge by the Gladesville side.
The Wanderers have picked up their second win of the season following an endurance filled performance against a spirited Gladesville Ravens who turned what was expected to be a display of both attacking sets into a tough midfield battle.
The Wanderers welcomed back Talia Kapetanellis into the starting line-up in place of Brooklyn Hudson, who provided the game with its first threatening chance in the 28th minute of the game.
What preceded the shot, was almost half an hour of a midfield wrestle, Estella Cameron’s endurance in midfield was tested as she found herself sitting alongside Sienna Arrarte at the base of midfield off the ball, and further up the field when on the ball.
Aside from a long-range effort from Anika Stajcic that missed the mark, the first half’s only shot on target came from a Kapetenellis corner, which, after brief deliberation, was awarded as a goal. While both Stajcic and Cameron staked a claim, it was ultimately recorded as an Eliza Coleman own goal.
The Red and Black started the second half on the front foot, with Kapetenellis’ cross almost finding its way to the back of the net.
A Gladesville header from a free kick forced Aimee Hall into a spectacular save, but the effort was ruled offside despite her heroics. Moments after the restart, a driven cross from Talia Kapetanellis deflected into the path of Stajcic, who slotted home her third goal of the season.
The next twenty minutes of the game turned into a much more conventional, conservative game of football from the Red and Black, displaying their composure in an attempt to control the game in hope they could cruise to victory.
The Wanderers endured a late scare in stoppage time when Lexie Moreno found the top corner with a stunning strike from outside the box. However, that was the Ravens’ final threat, as the Wanderers secured the win and climbed to seventh on the ladder.
They travel to Lambert Park next Sunday to take on Apia Leichhardt, who sit atop the ladder following four rounds.
