The Western Sydney Wanderers rounded off their FNSW League One regular season with a gritty 2-1 victory over Blacktown Spartans at Blacktown Football Park.
Goals from Alex Badolato – his 10th of the season – and Zac Sapsford saw the side notch up their fifth win in succession and ensures that they remain in good stead heading into the finals campaign.
Both sides had chances early on, with Sapsford unable to turn home a Jarrod Carluccio cross, and Jack Warshawksy denying Blacktown’s Hamish Lamberton.
The Wanderers took the lead in the 16th minute when George Daniel sent Connor Rose through down the left, and the winger put in the perfect ball for the onrushing Badolato to score with a first-time finish.
The lead would not last long, though, as just nine minutes later the home side found an equaliser, as Lamberton was played in behind the Wanderers defence and played in Emmanuel Gonzalez who put the ball past Warshawsky.
Carluccio then went close from distance, before Sapsford had a golden opportunity to score after a long range run, but his shot went agonisingly wide.
The Wanderers continued to dominate possession and with chances created, as Badolato had a volley go just wide, and substitute Luca Pecora almost found Rose with a dangerous cross.
And the pressure would pay off in the 67th minute when Sapsford latched onto a looping Dean Pelekanos cross to head the ball past Hugh Brown.
It was a brave assist from the skipper, who sustained a blow to the ankle and had to be substituted as a result.
Warshawksy then pulled off two brilliant saves in quick succession to deny the hosts as the game reached its climax, and the side were able to hold on to three points.
The Wanderers ended the season in third with 45 points and a goal difference of 37 earning them promotion.
The side will now face off against St George City FA in the Preliminary Semi Final next week.
