Our NPL NSW side has gotten off to the perfect start to the 2024 season with a 3-1 win at home against the Sutherland Sharks.
Nathaneal Blair netted a double, whilst towering centre back Doni Grdic also netted a rare goal as the Wanderers won their opening match of the NPL NSW season for the second year in a row.
It was a dominant performance from the Red and Black, who had 33 shots compared to Sutherland’s nine, and could easily have had more goals to their name.
The Wanderers had a string of chances early, with Blair, Zac Sapsford and Adam Bugarija all having chances requiring interventions from Sutherland’s goalkeeper or defence.
Blair then hit the post after latching onto a Sapsford through ball, before Ryley Hollingdale forced a good save from Nenad Vekic from a free-kick.
The Wanderers were made to pay for their lack of cutting edge when Sutherland hit the front with their first shot on target in the 31st minute, as Levi Sciuriaga scored after seizing on a mistake at the back by the Wanderers.
Far from letting this deflate them, Western Sydney hit back instantly as Blair was able to use his size to hold off his defender, and scored through the keeper’s legs.
The Wanderers then hit the front just after half-time as Grdic rose highest to emphatically head home a corner.
Blair then made the points safe under 10 minutes from the end of the match when he was able to dispossess Vekic, and calmly rolled the ball into the unguarded goal to wrap up a strong individual and team performance.
Phillip Gigliotti went close to scoring a fourth, but his powerful drive rattled off the crossbar, but it mattered little as the Wanderers were able to comfortably see out the game.
They look to carry the momentum into their next match against newly promoted Hills United.
