The Western Sydney Wanderers FNSW League One side suffered their first home defeat of the season, going down 2-1 against a defensively resilient Northern Tigers side at Wanderers Football Park.
With both sides occupying first and second place on the ladder, this was a keenly anticipated match between two sides who are aiming for promotion.
It was a cagey start to the affair, with chances few and far between for both sides as they tried to gain the initiative in the first 15 minutes.
The Wanderers slowly began to gain control of the possession, and Alessandro Lopane had a decent attempt from distance that sailed over the bar.
Alex Badolato also tried his luck from long range soon after, but like Lopane, his shot failed to hit the target.
The Wanderers struggled to convert their possession into goals, and they were punished with a Tigers double punch within two minutes.
Alexander Brown put the away side ahead in the 32nd minute, scoring from a ground cross that evaded the Wanderers defence.
Oliver Scott would double his side’s lead soon after, managing to deftly latch onto a long ball and cooly finishing past the returning Jack Warshawsky.
Coach Tomi Vidovic made four changes in quick succession in an attempt to turn the tide of the match, and two of the substitutes would combine to put the Wanderers on the board in the 73rd minute.
A ball from Stevan Stanic-Floody managed to find Jakov Malbasa, with the forward showing bags of composure to round the keeper and put the side back in the game.
The Wanderers pressed for an equaliser, with Aiden Mostofi forcing the Tigers keeper into a diving save, but the away side ultimately held on for a one goal victory.
The result means the boys in Red & Black remain in second place; they look to return to winning ways away to the Central Coast Mariners next Sunday.
