The Western Sydney Wanderers are the new ladder leaders in the FNSW League One competition, after they secured a gritty 1-0 win over Mounties Wanderers at Cook Park.
It was at times a backs to the wall performance, but a Connor Rose goal just before half-time was enough to earn a fourth victory in a row.
Western Sydney attempted to take control of the game from the beginning, sensing opportunities down both flanks and sending multiple crosses into the box.
Aiden Mostofi reacted well to one such cross, but his header had too much elevation and sailed over the bar.
Another good delivery saw Mounties keeper Daniel Sadaka spill the ball, but Rose was unable to react in time to turn the ball goalwards.
The home side were still a threat going forward, and Sam Perre forced a smart stop from Jack Gibson after George Antonis was dispossessed on the edge of the area.
The boys in Red & Black continued to enjoy more possession and sending in dangerous crosses, and the tactic finally paid off on the stroke of half time.
A Daniel Wilmering delivery was floated beautifully to the back post, where Rose was on hand to loop a header over Sadaka and into the goal.
The Wanderers continued to create chances in the second half, with Rose nearly adding to his tally, and Sadaka parrying a fierce Lochlan Constable volley away from the goal.
To their credit, the home side mounted pressure on Western Sydney’s defence as the game wore on, with the Wanderers forced to put men behind the ball and put their bodies on the line to keep their lead intact.
Gibson was forced to stretch to his right to stop an Anthony Windsor shot from distance in the 82nd minute, with this being the closest Mounties would come to scoring as the away side would hold on for a priceless victory.
With the Wanderers keeping their fourth clean sheet of the season, they now sit two points clear of second placed Central Coast; the side faces a tough away match against Northern Tigers next round.
