A valiant Western Sydney Wanderers NPL side has for the second week in a row fallen to a late defeat, this time going down 1-0 to the Wollongong Wolves at WIN Stadium on Sunday.
In a very tight game, Jake Trew scored in the 93rd minute to deny the Wanderers a share of the points.
Chances were at a premium for both sides in the first half; Lawrence Caruso made a good diving save in the 14th minute, whilst the Wanderers’ best chance of the half came in the 21st minute, when Nathaniel Blair laid the ball off to Teng Kuol, whose shot from the edge of the area whistled just past the post.
The boys in Red and Black started the second half brightly, as George Antonis and Marcus Younis went close to opening the scoring just after the break, and Andrew Christiansen introduced Zac Sapsford into the game off the bench for his first action of the NPL season after an injury layoff to try and turn the tide.
Sapsford had a great chance in the 70th minute when he rose highest to get his head to a corner, but his effort was just wide of the upright. Blair and Mason Fernandez both had half chances as the game neared stoppage time as the Wanderers chased the crucial goal.
But unfortunately they were hit on the break in added time, as substitute Trew cut inside onto his left foot and unleashed a powerful shot that went into the bottom corner, giving the hosts the lead.
The goalscorer was then sent off for his role in a melee on the sidelines in the 97th minute as tensions flared right at the death, but the Wanderers did not have enough time to utilise their man advantage, as the final whistle blew soon after.
The Wanderers have an intriguing midweek friendly match against Japanese youth side Kashima Antlers, before they host Sydney Olympic in NPL action on Saturday night.
