The Western Sydney Wanderers’ NPL Women’s NSW campaign has come to an end following a 6-2 Semi-Final defeat to Bulls FC Academy at Northbridge Oval on Sunday afternoon.
After an impressive season that saw the Red & Black establish themselves among the competition’s leading sides andsecure a place in the final four, the Wanderers faced the difficult task of taking on the Premiers away from home for a spot in the Grand Final.
The hosts made the stronger start and opened the scoring after 14 minutes through Petria Phillips, before Claudia Valletta doubled their advantage six minutes later.
The Wanderers refused to allow the early setback to take them out of the contest and responded almost immediately.
Alyssa Ng Saad broke through the Bulls defence and forced a save from goalkeeper Ash Hughes, with AlvinaKhoshaba alert to the loose ball and finishing the rebound to bring the Wanderers back within one.
The goal gave the visitors a way back into the match, but two late strikes before the interval changed the complexion of the Semi-Final.
Daniella Naemi restored the Bulls’ two-goal advantage in the 40th minute before Sarah Hunter added another in first-half stoppage time, leaving the Wanderers with a sizeable deficit to overcome after the break.
Despite the scoreline, the Red & Black emerged from the sheds determined to make a contest of the second half.
That persistence was rewarded in the 68th minute when Mia Nataly created an opening down the left and sent the ball across goal. Substitute Alyssa McKenzie met the delivery with a
well-taken volley to make it 4-2 and give the Wanderers renewed hope.
With their season on the line, the visitors continued searching for a way back into the match, but the Bulls eventually put the result beyond reach in the closing stages.
Jynaya Dos Santos added the hosts’ fifth with five minutes remaining before Jade Guichon completed the scoring in stoppage time.
The defeat brings the curtain down on another significant year of progress for the Wanderers’ NPL Women’s program.Injust their second season in the competition, the Red & Black secured a place in the Championship Series and progressed to the Semi-Finals, competing with the league’s strongest sides throughout the campaign.
While the season ultimately ends one game short of the Grand Final, the Wanderers can take plenty from a campaignthat demonstrated the continued growth of the program and provided another important platform for the club’s emerging players.
