Western Sydney Wanderers Liberty A-League side will take on Wellington Phoenix in a tough behind-closed-doors match at CommBank Stadium tonight.
It has been close to 10 days since the Red & Black were last in action with the Wanderers looking to build on their solid performance against Newcastle Jets.
The Wanderers looked close to securing three points until the Jets twice came from behind to break their run of three-straight losses.
Despite the Red & Black starting off the game stronger, Newcastle created more clear-cut chances.
A late first-half goal from Western Sydney local Ashlie Crofts opened the scoring in Newcastle for the Wanderers.
Crofts, whose two previous league goals had also come against the Jets, controlled a cross from Erica Halloway, turned away from defender Taren King and lashed a shot inside the near post.
Unfortunately, Newcastle who had gone goalless in five hours, equalised from an Elizabeth Eddy penalty just before the hour, after Brodigan was fouled by Alexia Apostolakis.
Apostolakis, who conceded the penalty from which Newcastle equalised, skilfully stroked in a half volley, after the Jets failed to clear a corner in the 76th minute.
But it wasn’t over with Brodigan smashing the ball home two minutes into stoppage time after collecting a good pass to share the points between the two sides.
It was a frustrating finish for the Wanderers who struggled to hold out against seventh-placed Newcastle, sliding the Red & Black down to ninth on the ladder.
Tonight’s opponent, Wellington Phoenix, are set to play in their final match of their inaugural season.
Wellington sit just three points below the Wanderers at the bottom of the table and will be looking to bounce back after a recent 4-1 thrashing to Adelaide United.
Chelsea Dawber and Wellington’s Grace Jale traded goals in the fifth and 25th minutes before Wellington youngster Zoe McMeekin’s blindly overhit backpass handed Adelaide the upper hand in the 34th minute
Worts added a third Adelaide goal in the 55th minute, with Dawber’s second four minutes later putting the result beyond doubt.
With Wellington looking to finish the season on a high and the Wanderers fighting for pride, expect another hotly-contested match in the Liberty A-League tonight.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Wellington Phoenix
Tuesday 1 March 2022, 6:45pm
CommBank Stadium (behind-closed-doors)
