Our NPL NSW side have completed the double in the Sydney Derby, claiming a priceless 2-1 win over their crosstown rivals in an entertaining clash at Fairfield Showground.
Alex Badolato opened the scoring just before half-time, and a Zac Sapsford goal midway through the second half against his former club meant a late goal from the opposition was merely a consolation.
In front of a large crowd, the Wanderers had the better chances in the first half, with Marcus Younis being denied by the on rushing Adam Pavlesic in goals after 14 minutes, and just six minutes later Sapsford should have put his side in front when Younis slid the ball across goal to him, but his shot agonisingly cannoned off the post.
The chances kept coming for the Wanderers, as Younis then had a header from a corner cleared off the line in the 40th minute, but Badolato would not be denied minutes later, when Younis hung an inviting cross at the back post, which Badolato met and headed home powerfully to put the Wanderers in front at the break.
The visitors were then reduced to 10 men just after the break when Cameron Fong received his second yellow card, though the Wanderers would soon also lose a man as Aidan Simmons received two bookings in eight minutes.
The away side began to push for a goal, and substitute Jacob Brazete forced Jack Gibson into a smart diving stop in the 63rd minute.
It would prove crucial as the Wanderers would double their lead 10 minutes later through Sapsford, who ghosted in at the far post to tap home from a perfectly weighted Younis cross.
The visitors pulled a goal back with 11 minutes to go through Louis Agosti, and threw everything they had at the Wanderers’ goal, but they couldn’t find an equaliser and the boys in Red and Black held on for a massive win.
The Wanderers are now four points clear of Mt Druitt Town Rangers who are in the relegation zone, though they have played a game more.
The Wanderers look to maintain that gap when they travel to face Manly United next week.
