Our NPL NSW side hosts fellow academy side Central Coast in midweek action at Wanderers Football Park.
Important match information can be found here.
International duty, suspension and enforced rest for our scholarship players has meant the squad has been massively depleted in recent weeks, meaning a very inexperienced side took to the field away from home against league leaders Rockdale on Sunday.
The Wanderers almost pulled off a huge shock, holding a 2-0 lead at one stage, before an experienced and relentless Rockdale side overhauled them to win 3-2.
Whilst it was disappointing the side wasn’t able to get a point to show for their efforts, it is evidence to the strength in depth of the Wanderers Academy program, where members predominantly playing in the U18s and U20s sides were able to step up and hold their own against the best team in the competition.
The Wanderers still sit in third place ahead of their match against the Mariners, and will look to consolidate their spot in the top four with a win.
They will fancy themselves against a Mariners side who have won only one of their last 13 games.
Their most recent defeat saw them lose 2-0 away from home against Hills United, leaving them stuck on eight points.
To make matters worse, our crosstown rivals below them and the three teams directly above them all won last weekend, leaving the Mariners marooned at the bottom of the table with just eight points.
The Mariners have failed to keep a clean sheet all season, and shipped five goals when the two sides met earlier in the season.
The Wanderers flew out of the traps to hold a 3-0 lead going into half-time, with Anthony Pantazopoulos scoring a goal of the season contender, before the Mariners scored two after the break to make the game interesting.
The Wanderers weathered the storm and two late goals, including one to captain Zac Sapsford led to the Wanderers recording an impressive victory.
NPL NSW Round 18
Western Sydney Wanderers FC vs Central Coast Mariners FC
Wednesday 12th June 7pm
Wanderers Football Park
