The Red & Black are set to kick off their Westfield W-League campaign this Thursday night when they tackle cross-city rivals Sydney FC in a blockbuster season opener at Marconi Stadium.
The Red & Black are set to kick off their Westfield W-League campaign this Thursday night when they tackle cross-city rivals Sydney FC in a blockbuster season opener at Marconi Stadium.
The Wanderers have had a tumultous history against their biggest rivals, having only secured one win in their previous 12 matches against the club.
The win dates back to the Wanderers’ third season in the Westfield W-League competition where Keelin Winters set the boilover in motion with a shock opener 16 minutes into the match.
Fellow American Jasmyn Spencer then equalised at half-time for the Sky Blues, but it wasn’t meant to be for Sydney with an own goal from Teigan Allen sealing one of the most famous results in Wanderers’ history.
Since then, it has been a whitewash in favour of the Sky Blues with the club coming out on top in last season’s derbies 3-1 and 4-1.
Yet the tide is expected to turn when the Wanderers take to the field this Thursday night and there will be more than just pride on the line.
Some added spice is set to ignite the fixture between the two sides with five Sky Blues players making the switch to the Wanderers during the off-season.
Caitlin Cooper, Leena Khamis, Kylie Ledbrook, Georgia Yeoman-Dale and Remy Siemsen will now don the Red & Black hoops and all have their targets set on making some history with the club this season.
Added to this, Wanderers new head coach Dan Barrett previously coached the Sky Blues for a number of years before taking up a role with Central Coast Mariners Academy.
Returning to the Red & Black this season is youngster Jada Whyman, talented midfielders Susan Phonsongkham and Lo’eau LaBonta, as well as attacking weapon Rachel Lowe.
Lowe, Phonsongkham and Courtney Nevin were all recently selected in the Young Matildas squad while Whyman has just returned from a tour in Europe with the Matildas.
Barrett has assembled what is arguably the club’s strongest squad for the Westfield W-League season and a win on Thursday night would mark the perfect start to their campaign.
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Sydney FC
Thursday 25 October, 7:30pm
Marconi Stadium
Wanderers members and U16s get FREE entry
