The Wanderers Academy NPL 1 first grade team will this Friday night travel to Cromer Park where they will take on Manly United in Round 2 of the competition.
The Red & Black will head into the match after a frustrating defeat to cross-city rivals Sydney FC last weekend.
A spirited comeback looked on the cards, but it wasn’t to be for the Wanderers, who went down 3-2 in the first ever Sydney Derby in NPL1 at Ilinden Sports Centre.
It was an even start to the match with both sides having their fair share of chances in the opening stages.
The Wanderers looked the most likely to score first, with Rory Jordan going close to an opening goal 20 minutes in.
However, it was Sydney FC who struck first blood a minute later through Patrick Wood on a deadly counter-attack.
Several minutes later in the 28th minute Jake Hollman doubled Sydney’s lead with a tap-in inside the penalty box and then later struck the third right before the end of the first half.
The Red & Black came out firing in the second half and Rory Jordan cut-back played hard along the edge of the box found Ali Auglah, who curled his first-time shot into the bottom left corner.
The Wanderers continued to apply pressure to the Sky Blues and Stefan Nicolic provided the Red & Black with a second goal with a cross-come-shot in the 83rd minute.
The Wanderers continued to push for an equaliser, but despite a spirited second half performance, it wasn’t enough to get the points.
The Red & Black will need to apply this same pressure when it comes to Manly United on Friday night.
Manly in the opening round of the competition were left in a scoreless draw against Rockdale City Suns and despite there being plenty of chances, it wasn’t enough to break the deadlock.
There’s no doubt that Manly will be looking to get one in the back of the net come Friday night against the Red & Black, calling on their experience to challenge a very young Red & Black side.
Catch all the action live on NPL.tv.
Manly United FC v Western Sydney Wanderers
Friday 7 August 2020
Cromer Park, 7:30pm
