The Western Sydney Wanderers have defeated Wellington Phoenix 1-0 in a friendly match at Marconi Stadium which formed part of the Wanderers 2018/19 season launch.
The Western Sydney Wanderers have defeated Wellington Phoenix 1-0 in a friendly match at Marconi Stadium which formed part of the Wanderers 2018/19 season launch.
An early goal by Nick Fitzgerald secured the win for the Red & Black in front of 3000 passionate Wanderers members and fans on Saturday afternoon.
The Wanderers fielded a line-up mixed with experienced players such as Tarek Elrich and Fitzgerald, as well as some future Wanderers Academy stars including Tate Russell, John Roberts and Marc Tokich.
Fitzgerald and Roberts were running rampant against Wellington in the opening minutes and had a number of early chances to put the Wanderers in front.
At the other, Danijel Nizic was called into action to make a sharp reflex save to deny a shot by Mitch Nichols.
The Red & Black took the lead in the 20th minute after Lachlan Scott did well to hold the ball up, before laying it off to Roberts who found Fitzgerald with a pinpoint cross.
Fitzgerald tapped it in from close range and the Wanderers were up 1-0.
The second half saw the Wanderers continue their dominance with Roberts continuing to make some outstanding runs to put the Red & Black in great positions.
Elrich tried his luck to double the Wanderers’ lead but his shot from distance fired high and wide.
The Red & Black made a number of substitutions with Jack Greenwood, Oliver Puflett, Marley Peterson, Daniel Wilmering, Mohamed Al-Taay and Fabian Monge getting a taste of first-team action.
The victory wrapped up a fantastic day for both Wanderers members and fans with the team’s sights now set on their upcoming FFA Cup Semi Final.
