The Western Sydney Wanderers NPL side will hope to win back-to-back matches for just the second time this season when they host Wollongong Wolves on Saturday night.
The side had their best game of the season last round, where their attack was firing on all cylinders in a 6-3 away win over Sydney United.
Ariath Piol scored a brace, with Zac Sapsford and Nathaneal Blair also getting in on the goals, the pair having fantastic all-round performances as the boys in Red and Black left last year’s Australia Cup finalists trailing in their wake.
The performance was all the more notable given the absentees the side was facing, with Marcus Younis, Frans Deli and Alex Badolato all away on international duty, and main centre back Alex Bonetig being sidelined with injury.
Despite the result, the Wanderers are still at the wrong end of the table, and need to build on this result to pick up points that will pull them to safety.
Their opponents Wollongong have struggled for consistency in recent weeks, with a last round win over Bulls FC Academy preceded by a loss to Marconi.
Their form away from home has also been a cause for concern, with the team only winning two of their nine matches away from WIN Stadium this season.
They will be buoyed by the fact star striker and captain Lachlan Scott scored a double in last week’s win; their skipper had previously gone five games without a goal and they will be hoping this inspires him back into form.
These sides last met in round five, where a tight match devoid of clear chances for either team was decided by a 93rd minute winner from Wollongong’s Jed Drew, who then found himself sent off due to his involvement in a fracas late in the game.
A win from the Wanderers would see them move within one point of safety, as well as creating a gap between them and the automatic relegation place.
NPL NSW Round 20
Western Sydney Wanderers FC vs Wollongong Wolves FC
Saturday 17 June 2023, 7:00pm
Wanderers Football Park
