A defiant Western Sydney Wanderers side has gone down 1–0 to NWS Spirit in a thrilling game at Christie Park.
The Western Sydney Wanderers NPL 1 side were defeated 1–0 at Christie Park following a courageous performance in the North West. A second-half strike by Frankie Ljucovic proved to be the difference in what was an enthralling end-to-end contest.
The Wanderers welcomed back Ricky Fransen and Noah Peacock into the starting side as they looked to field a more attacking outfit. Alaat Abdul-Rahman resumed his role as striker, while Noah Peacock deputised in attacking midfield for the first time this season.
The first half provided few chances for either side. The early stages saw NWS Spirit enjoy the majority of attacking possession, although their best opportunity was denied by a perfectly timed tackle from Ricky Fransen, preventing Okubo from a one-on-one chance.
A Jesse Cameron through ball in the 39th minute presented Awan Lual with the Wanderers’ best chance of the game, but his curling strike was saved by Chris Marques.
Yu Okubo continued to threaten Tristan Vidakovic’s goal, but the goalkeeper ensured it remained scoreless with a series of flying saves.
Peacock earned a free kick in a dangerous area, but his right-footed strike was safely parried away by the Spirit goalkeeper.
It wasn’t until the 75th minute that a lay-off from Okubo to Ljucovic proved decisive, as the strike found the bottom right corner. This gave Spirit the lead in what had been a tight game up to that point, with both sides managing three shots on target.
The hosts managed the game well following the goal, frustrating the Wanderers in the final twenty minutes. Despite their best efforts, the Wanderers failed to register a shot on target during the closing stages as Spirit claimed all three points.
The result sees the Red and Black slip closer to the relegation zone, now sitting just three points above bottom-placed Central Coast Mariners and one point above Mount Druitt Town Rangers.
They take on the Wollongong Wolves this Saturday in the first of three consecutive home games, before a mouth-watering Sydney Derby in a month’s time.
