A youthful Western Sydney Wanderers FNSW League One side suffered a 5-0 defeat to the Northern Tigers at Wanderers Football Park, bringing their season to an end in the Minor Semi Final.
With nine players out through first-team commitments and injury, the team were ultimately overpowered in the second half as a Shervin Adeli hat-trick helped the Tigers to victory, after only trailing by a goal at the break.
The Wanderers started fast, with Connor Rose putting in a dangerous cross after a minute that had to be dealt with by Tigers keeper Tonu Liiband.
Miguel Di Pizio had an attempt from distance a short time later, but the effort caused Liiband little trouble.
In a low key first-half, the Tigers scored the opening goal of the game in the 36th minute when Adeli poked home after a scramble in the box.
The Wanderers had two great opportunities right out of half-time, with Alex Denmead’s effort from distance being deflected wide, before Jakov Malbasa was just unable to divert a Luca Pecora cross on target after great work from the fullback.
The experienced Tigers side took full advantage of the Wanderers’ wastefulness in the 58th minute when Alexander Brown’s cross was met by Adeli, who swept the ball past Jack Gibson.
The striker would seal his hat-trick eight minutes later, converting from the spot after a handball in the box by Ayman Gulasi.
Adeli turned provider soon after, teeing up Ollie Wiggin who finished calmly from the edge of the box.
Lachlan Lloyd finished the scoring two minutes from time, with his shot going past a sea of legs into the far corner of the net and out of the reach of Gibson.
Whilst the finals campaign ended in disappointment for the boys in Red & Black, it has still been a successful season, with the side gaining promotion to the National Premier Leagues for the 2023 season.
