NPL Wrap: Wanderers held to draw against Sutherland

Our NPL NSW side was held to a 0-0 draw against Sutherland Sharks at Seymour Shaw on Saturday evening.

Zac Saspford and Awan Lual both hit the woodwork as the Wanderers created far better chances than their opponents, but they were unable to land the killer blow in a frustrating encounter.

After a tight opening period to the game, Sapsford had the first big chances as he attempted to dink the ball over Nenad Vekic, but his lunging effort lacked control and missed the goal.

Jesse Cameron then found space in the box for a shot, his effort was saved by Vekic, but the keeper spilled the ball into the path of Alex Badolato, though his effort was agonisingly cleared off the line.

Dylan Scicluna, playing higher up the pitch alongside Ryley Hollingdale in midfield, and Aydan Hammond had good chances to score but were unable to beat Vekic and the Sutherland defence.

Sapsford rattled the bar in the 34th minute as the Wanderers cranked up the pressure, but despite his best efforts, the Wanderers headed into the break locked into a stalemate.

Sutherland fought back into the match in the second half, forcing Taiga Harper into a couple of smart stops, but the Wanderers continued to create more chances.

The best of these chances came with just over 15 minutes before the end, when substitute Lual got on the end of Marcus Younis’ cross, but his header clipped the bar on its way out.

The game eventually petered out with neither side creating big chances in stoppage time, and the Wanderers were forced to share the points for the first time this season.

The result leaves them in third place; they host Hills United on Saturday.