The Western Sydney Wanderers NPL Women’s side travel to Christie Park on Saturday afternoon looking to continue their excellent form when they take on NWS Spirit.
The Red & Black head into the contest full of confidence after producing their biggest win of the season, dismantling Western City Rangers 9-0 at Wanderers Football Park. It was an attacking masterclass from the Wanderers, with Allyssa Ng Saad leading the way with a superb five goal performance.
The emphatic victory all but secured a place in the top four and finals football, leaving the Wanderers with the opportunity to build momentum heading into the business end of the season. With goals flowing from all areas of the pitch and confidence at a season high, they’ll be eager to continue that form away from home.
NWS Spirit, however, present a far sterner test than their league position may suggest. After a difficult start to the campaign that left them anchored to the bottom of the table, Spirit have transformed their season. They have lost just once in their last 10 league matches and have climbed to 11th, producing several impressive performances along the way. Their resurgence has been built on improved defensive organisation and a growing belief that has made them a difficult side to break down.
The Wanderers were convincing winners when the two sides met earlier this season at Wanderers Football Park. They’ll be hoping to complete the season sweep on Saturday, but will know Spirit are a vastly different proposition to the side they faced earlier in the year.
With both teams carrying strong recent form, the match shapes as an entertaining contest between two sides playing with confidence. While the Wanderers are chasing momentum ahead of the finals, Spirit will be determined to continue their climb up the table and claim another scalp against one of the competition’s leading sides.
The Key Decider: Taking Control Early
Spirit’s recent form has been built on staying in games and growing into contests, while the Wanderers have shown how dangerous they can be when they play on the front foot. An early goal would allow the Red & Black to dictate possession and force Spirit to open up, creating more opportunities for the likes of Ng Saad, Younis and Khoshaba to exploit the spaces in behind. If the Wanderers can replicate the intensity and clinical finishing they showed last weekend, they’ll give themselves every chance of taking another important three points.
NPL NSW Round 26
Western Sydney Wanderers FC v NWS Spirit
Saturday 8th August
3:00pm
Christie Park
