The Western Sydney Wanderers FNSW League One team suffered a heartbreaking stoppage time defeat, going down 4-3 to the Central Coast Mariners in a thriller at Pluim Park.
In a match of high drama, both sides’ attacking quality was on full display in a match which included five second-half goals.
Connor Rose had the first chance of the game, hitting the post after regaining possession high off the pitch, before Stevan Stanic-Floody cleared a shot off the line down the other end.
The home side would take the lead in the 14th minute, when Nikola Skataric’s first time effort from the edge of the box flew into the top corner.
The hosts nearly doubled their lead when they hit the post soon after, but the Wanderers rode out the storm and soon had an equaliser.
Dean Pelekanos managed to cut in from the wing and lay off a lovely ball for Alex Badolato, who duly swept home past the Mariners keeper.
And they soon had a penalty soon after for a foul in the box, however Pelekanos’ penalty was well saved by Patrick Beach, meaning the sides would be level at the break.
The Wanderers got off to a great start to the second half, with Rose latching onto a wonderful through-ball that broke the defensive line, showing great skill to round the keeper and finish into an empty net.
The Mariners wouldn’t lie down, and main man Lachlan Bayliss levelled the scores in the 65th minute with a deflected strike from distance.
And the home side took the lead nine minutes later when substitute Ezra Palombini finished coolly past Jack Warshawksy.
The young Wanderers wouldn’t give in though,and they thought they had snatched a point in the 90th minute when substitutes Jesper Webber and Miguel Di Pizio combined for the latter to score from close range.
The Mariners would have the final say, however, when Dor Jok went down the other end and scored with virtually the last kick of the game.
The result leaves the Wanderers in 5th place, a point outside the top four. They return home on Saturday to face Bonnyrigg White Eagles.
