We are now past the halfway point of the NPL NSW season, and the Young Wanderers are looking to return to form as they travel to face Sutherland Sharks.
A tough run of fixtures and key players missing have seen the Wanderers drop a few games and fall to third on the table, two points off top spot.
Their last match saw them fall to a 5-2 defeat at home against Marconi Stallions, where their performance was better than the scoreline suggested, with an experienced Marconi side being clinical in taking their opportunities.
Andrew Christiansen and his side know they cannot have many more defeats like that if they are to challenge for the minor premiership, with Rockdale and APIA Leichhardt in strong form in recent weeks.
A match against third from bottom Sutherland could be the perfect tonic to kickstart a good run of form, with the Shire side winless in six games and just a point out of the relegation playoff place.
Steve Zoric’s side have only managed to win two games all season, with their nadir coming in a 7-0 shellacking at home against APIA, where the Sharks found themselves 4-0 down at
half-time.
They fell to a 3-1 defeat last weekend against local rivals St George FC, with a goal just before halftime from Matt Moric not enough to lift them to a victory, and leaving them in the thick of the relegation battle.
They were defeated by the same scoreline in the opening match of the season against the Wanderers; despite taking the lead, Sutherland were thoroughly outplayed for much of the match, and in truth the scoreline could have been higher.
On that day, Nathaneal Blair scored a double, and he and fellow attackers Zac Sapsford, Marcus Younis and Aydan Hammond will be looking to add to their impressive tallies on Saturday afternoon in the Shire.
NPL NSW Round 16
Sutherland Sharks FC vs Western Sydney Wanderers FC
Saturday 25th May 2024, 4:30 pm
Seymour Shaw
