The Western Sydney Wanderers began their NPL2 journey in fine fashion on Sunday as they defeated Marconi Stallions 8-0 at Blacktown International Sportspark.
It was the first ever foray into NPL territory for the Red & Black and it began with a blast thanks to Josh Macdonald grabbing a double and Lachlan Scott scoring a five-minute hat-trick after coming off the bench.
Kyle Cimenti and Tariq Maia also grabbed goals as Wanderers ran riot.
Liam Reddy got his first run in Wanderers colours as Western Sydney started with a strong XI that included a number of players with Hyundai A-League caps.
Josh Macdonald, Golgol Mebrahtu and Mario Shabow all got in on the action quickly, creating a number of chances before Macdonald opened the scoring.
Matthew Sim collected the ball on the left and Mebrahtu connected with his cross to shoot towards goal. The keeper couldn’t hold onto the initial strike and Macdonald followed through to make it 1-0.
Ten minutes later it was 2-0 as a Shannon Cole cross was deflected into the net by a Marconi Stallions defender.
The second half saw a largely youth line-up take the pitch for the Wanderers but they didn’t let off any pressure with Macdonald grabbing his second almost instantly.
With the keeper out of position, the ball fell to Tariq Maia and while there was a temptation to shoot from half way the midfielder instead drove into space, fed Macdonald out wide and the winger made it 3-0 with an excellent finish.
From there the match blew out with Maia claiming a goal as he expertly looped a header over the oncoming keeper after an impressive Cameron Devlin cross.
And there was no respite with four goals scored in the final ten minutes.
Firstly Kyle Cimenti converted a penalty before Lachlan Scott hit three goals in five minutes: two excellent finishes and another penalty to round out the match at 8-0.
Next up for the Wanderers is their second pre-season match on Thursday 4 February at Popondetta Park. They take on Mt Druitt Town Rangers and kick-off is at 8pm.
Western Sydney Wanderers 8 (Josh Macdonald 27′ 50′ Own Goal 37′ Tariq Maia 72′ Kyle Cimenti 80′ Lachlan Scott 81′ 83′ 86′)
Marconi Stallions 0
First half XI: Liam Reddy, Shannon Cole, Jonathan Aspropotamitis, Brendan Hamill, Lachlan Roberts (Shayne D’Cunha), Jacob Pepper, Liam Youlley, Mario Shabow, Josh Macdonald, Golgol Mebrahtu, Matthew Sim
Second half XI: Liam Reddy (Matt Symes), Shannon Cole (Mathieu Cordier), Shayne D’Cunha (Perry Fotakopoulos), Henry Davies (Malcolm Ward), Keanu Baccus, Cameron Devlin, Josh Gaspari, Tariq Maia, Josh Macdonald (Kyle Cimenti), Matthew Sim (Alusine Fofanah), Brenton Fox (Lachlan Scott)
