The Wanderers were forced to share the points in a thrilling and at times crazy Sydney Derby that ended 3-3.
In one of the most dramatic matches of the season, Western Sydney led 3-1 but conceded two late goals in heartbreaking fashion in front of over 32,000 fans at Allianz Stadium.
With Juan Mata forced out of the starting side due to injury, Oscar Priestman came back into the side as Josh Brillante shifted into midfield, and the Wanderers almost got off to a perfect start.
They got the ball in the box early and Bozhidar Kraev turned his man, but could only hit his shot at Harrison Devenish-Meares.
Minutes later, the hosts would open the scoring through Patryk Klimala, who got in behind the defence and scored with a first time finish.
The Wanderers would be behind for only a minute as their derby specialist put his stamp on the contest once again.
A sweeping move saw Jack Clisby swing a low ball into the box; Devenish-Meares couldn’t deal with it, and spilled the ball straight into the path of Zac Sapsford, who tapped home in front of the home fans for his fourth goal in the derby.
This gave Western Sydney confidence, as Sapsford tried to catch out the ‘keeper with a very ambitious effort from way out, before Brillante had a good shot from the edge of the box saved.
They took a deserved lead just before the break after another sweeping counter attack.
Nicolas Milanovic drove at the defence and slid the ball to Sapsford, who then squared the ball towards the back post.
Milanovic made contact and the ball went in via Rhyan Grant; the goal was initially disallowed for offside before a lengthy VAR check ruled Milanovic was onside and the goal was given as an own goal to Grant.
The lead was doubled just after the break as Sapsford got his fifth goal against his old side.
The visitors were dispossessed by Brandon Borrello, who put an inch perfect pass in behind to our lethal marksman, with Sapsford poking the ball into the bottom corner.
It was once again initially chalked off for offside, but once again they would not be denied a third goal of the game.
Sapsford then had several chances to get the first ever hat-trick in the Sydney Derby as he had two efforts cleared off the line – one via the arm of Grant – before conspiring to mishit a volley in an acre of space and with plenty of time to get his finish right.
Brillante, playing his best game of the season, had another attempt from range saved by a diving Devenish-Meares.
Due to fatigue and fitness issues, Alen Stajcic was forced to remove players who had strong games, including Borrello, Brillante, and Gabriel Cleur, who had a great game at right back.
Combined with changes from our opponents, this meant the momentum began to shift as the Wanderers sat in a more defensive shape.
The tension increased as Adrian Segecic scored for the home side in the 87th minute, drilling a low and curling shot beyond the reach of Thomas and into the far side of the net.
This emboldened them and they pushed forward for an equaliser, but the Wanderers at first were able to match them with great saves from Lawrence Thomas and strong defensive efforts.
The dam wall burst in the sixth minute of added time; Thomas made a fantastic save from a header, but Anthony Caceres responded first and lashed the ball into the roof of the net to steal a win from the Wanderers in heartbreaking fashion.
