A Skye Halmarick hat-trick in the first half was enough to see off the Western Sydney Wanderers NPL 1 Women’s side as they went down 3-0 in what was a disappointing defeat for the Red & Black.
The Western Sydney Wanderers fell 3-0 at Christie Park after a first-half blitz from NWS Spirit, with striker Skye Halmarick netting a hat-trick.
The Wanderers welcomed Christie Oliva and Jasmine Selva back into the side as they looked to snap a two-game winless run. An early chance to Estella Cameron signalled positive intent from the Red and Black, but her shot drifted off target.
Moments later, It would be Halmarick who would find the back of the net as the inform striker would get her head on the end of a deep cross to put Spirit in front inside eight minutes.
The majority of the first half was played in the Wanderers’ defensive half, with NWS Spirit continuing to apply relentless pressure. Spirit looked to have doubled their lead in the 32nd minute, but a goal-line clearance from Alyssa McKenzie and a crucial save from Jasmine Selva kept the scoreline intact.
The resistance did not last too long as Halmarick would poke home the consequenting corner for Spirit’s second of the game following a misdirected defensive clearance.
McKenzie and Oliva combined to produce the Wanderers’ first shot on target, but Oliva’s effort rolled harmlessly into the keeper’s hands as the Red and Black continued their search for a way back into the match.
The third and final goal of the match came in added time, with Halmarick once again heading home from a corner to complete her first-half hat-trick. The league’s leading goal scorer took her season tally to 13, continuing her impressive run of form.
Olivia Vanderlaan’s 61st minute strike looked all but in, although it would unfortunately strike the post.
Former Wanderer Ella Abdul-Massih came off the bench and made an immediate impact, delivering a pinpoint cross for Halmarick in search of a fourth goal. However, Jasmine Selva’s safe hands denied the opportunity. Abdul-Massih had a chance of her own in added time but couldn’t find the target, sending her shot wide.
The loss sees the Wanderers slip to ninth on the table, but they’ll look to regroup ahead of their toughest challenge yet — a clash with ladder leaders Mount Druitt Town Rangers at Popondetta Park on Sunday.
