A local derby awaits our NPL NSW side on Saturday night as they host Marconi Stallions at Wanderers Football Park.
It’s a second home game in a row for the Wanderers after their dramatic stoppage time win over Sydney Olympic last weekend, where Nathaneal Blair’s 91st minute thunderbolt saw them remain at the top of the table.
It was an important win after two losses, and means the Wanderers are in with a good chance of being at the top of the tree at the halfway point of the season.
This is a phenomenal achievement for Andrew Christiansen’s side, who at the same point last season had just 13 points on the board, 20 points fewer than they have at the time of writing.
Despite losing just three games all season, they still have Rockdale Ilinden and APIA Leichhardt hot on their tail ready to pounce on any slip ups from the Red and Black, meaning this weekend’s clash against the fifth placed Stallions is an important one.
After a fourth placed finish last season, Marconi are once again in the mix for a finals spot and currently sit five points behind the Wanderers.
They have a strong record against teams in the lower half of the table, including back-to-back 4-0 wins over St George FC and Hills United, but they have failed to defeat any of the teams above them in the table, like last weekend when they were defeated 3-0 by Blacktown City.
They have the best defence in the competition, but goals can sometimes be lacking, with new signing James Temelkosvki needing more support; the striker has seven goals so far this season, but captain Marko Jesic with six is the only other Stallion close to that tally.
Marconi will hope to repeat their form from last season’s visit to the Wanderers where they won 4-0, with the return game seeing the sides play out an entertaining 3-3 draw.
NPL NSW Round 15
Western Sydney Wanderers FC vs Marconi Stallions FC
Saturday 18th May 2024, 7PM
Wanderers Football Park
A reminder that the 1st Grade match will be shown live and exclusive only on Football NSW’s YouTube channel at 7pm.
