The Western Sydney Wanderers were left frustrated at Lambert Park on Sunday evening, surrendering a two-goal advantage in a 4-2 defeat to APIA Leichhardt.
Coming into the contest on the back of four consecutive victories, the Wanderers carried their strong form into the opening stages and produced an impressive first-half performance. The visitors looked confident in possession and regularly found space in the attacking third, with Talia Younis and Alvina Khoshaba heavily involved as they put the APIA defence under pressure.
Their positive start was rewarded after 13 minutes when Khoshaba found Mia Nataly inside the area, with the striker making no mistake to put the Wanderers ahead. Rather than sitting on their advantage, the visitors continued to push forward and looked the more dangerous of the two sides throughout the opening period.
The Wanderers doubled their advantage before half-time following some excellent pressure high up the pitch. Madena Moussa forced an error as APIA attempted to play out from the back, allowing Amelia Bennett to capitalise and finish into an empty net. Nataly also went close to adding another as the Wanderers entered the break with a deserved 2-0 lead and plenty of momentum.
The contest changed dramatically after the restart as APIA found a response early in the second half. The hosts reduced the deficit from the penalty spot before quickly finding an equaliser, wiping away the Wanderers’ advantage and shifting the momentum of the match.
After controlling much of the opening 45 minutes, the Wanderers suddenly found themselves having to withstand an extended spell of pressure from the hosts. APIA eventually completed the turnaround midway through the half to take a 3-2 lead, leaving the Wanderers searching for a response of their own.
The visitors continued to push forward and Khoshaba came close to restoring parity with an effort from a long-range free-kick. With the Wanderers committing numbers forward in search of an equaliser, APIA were able to add a fourth late in the contest and secure the three points.
Despite the result, the Wanderers can take plenty from a strong opening-half performance where they showed the attacking football that has driven their recent run of form.
Attention now turns to the final match of the NPL Women’s NSW regular season before the Wanderers begin their Championship Series campaign.
