The Western Sydney Wanderers NPL 1 side travel to Marconi Stadium on Saturday as they take on the Marconi Stallions in a must-win clash for the Red & Black.
The Western Sydney Wanderers NPL 1 side will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 6-1 defeat last weekend against Apia Leichhardt, when they take on second-place Marconi who remain undefeated this season.
The reigning champions fought off a defiant Sydney United 58 with Matej Busek being the difference in a 2-1 win at Edensor Park last Sunday.
Marconi’s stubborn defence and slick attack has been a highlight of their season, and have looked every bit of the side that lifted the title at the end of last season.
The Wanderers on the other hand, suffered their toughest loss last week but will look to put that behind them as they look to pick up their first win since defeating Sydney Olympic in Round 2 of the competition.
Unlike last week, the Wanderers will know what they are coming up against, Marconi are yet to score more than two goals in a game this season, but also have yet to concede more than one in a game. Their profile as a team has been consistent in the way they are able to play as a collective, they move as one in both attack and defence and have proven to be a rigid side to break down due to this attribute.
The Wanderers have looked promising in parts, often doing everything right but lacking on the final execution. This has hurt them in games against the more seasoned teams of the competition, as the early chances missed often led to what is known as a ‘two goal turnaround’.
The Key Decider: The Early Blow
If the Wanderers can take their early chances, they will make the most out of this game. Too many times this season, they have missed the chance to level the score or take an early lead only for the opponent to go down the other side and capitalize.
Looking back at the game against the NWS Spirit, they went blow for blow and only fell short due to exceptional efficiency in front of the goal. Precedent does show that if they can score early, it likely proves a challenge for the opposition.
Marconi are not known to be a clinical team, but if the Wanderers can be at their explosive best, get in behind the stubborn Stallions defence and put pressure on Goalkeeper James Hilton, they will cause Marconi plenty of issues and take serious steps in taking any points from this game.
This also applies to Marconi, who will need to be at their clinical best to beat a defiant Wanderers, Marko Jesic and Damian Tsekenis will face a tough challenge as the Wanderers backline will not want a repeat of last week.
This is a battle that proves to defy “slow and steady, wins the race”, it’s a matter of who comes out of the blocks, gets ahead and stays ahead, as both teams have had their struggles closing out games convincingly.
Despite being on either end of the table, a win for either team is worth more than the three points at hand. Expect an enthralling game, where both teams will look to get on the front foot early.
NPL NSW Round 7
Marconi Stallions vs Western Sydney Wanderers FC
Saturday 29nd of March, 7:00pm
Marconi Stadium
