Western Sydney Wanderers have welcomed the New Year by returning to winner’s list in a 3-1 victory over crosstown rivals Macarthur FC at CommBank Stadium.
Nicolas Milanovic was the star of the show teeing up both Marcus Antonsson and Aidan Simmons for first-half goals, as the Wanderers raced out to an early two-goal advantage on New Year’s Day.
A long range stunner from Jake Hollman brought the Bulls back into the contest in the 20th minute, but Valentino Yuel nodded home the sealer in the final ten minutes to wrap up the win in-front of 11,321 fans in Paramatta.
The victory solidified the Wanderers’ place in third place on the standings after last week’s defeat against Wellington Phoenix. They now sit only two points behind Wellington and Melbourne Victory who reside in the top two spots on the ladder.
Macarthur, on the other hand, have lost their last three games after going unbeaten in their opening seven matches and now sit in fifth place only one point inside the top six. Coach Mile Sterjovski will also be sweating on the fitness of left-back Ivan Vujica, after he was forced off in the second-half with an injury.
Western Sydney came into the contest without star goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas, who has jetted off to Qatar ahead of the Socceroos’ AFC Asian Cup campaign, opening the door for young goalkeeper Jack Gibson to make his club debut.
Any lingering worries in the aftermath of their loss to Wellington were quickly put to rest, as it only took three minutes for the Wanderers to strike first. Jorrit Hendrix’s brilliant through-ball found Milanovic on the left-flank and he threaded a fantastic cross to an unmarked Antonsson, who slid home the opener.
The Wanderers doubled their lead only nine minutes later as Milanovic once again broke free down the left wing and found Simmons at the back post, who rose highest above a few Bulls defenders to nod home their second of the game.
Milanovic continued to cause headaches and he almost had a hat-trick of assists. His pass found Lachlan Brook, whose long range strike just flashed wide of the post.
Macarthur, however, fought back and cut into the Wanderers lead in style. Kearyn Baccus kickstarted a fast break, playing a fine ball to Hollman, who cut inside and fired an unstoppable long range effort in off post.
Despite conceding, Marko Rudan’s side continued to have the lion’s share of the first-half chances, with Alex Badolato having a shot blocked and Brook again putting an effort wide of Filip Kurto’s goal.
However, tempers flared as the first-half drew to a close, when Clayton Lewis and Oscar Priestman tangled up after a challenge by the young Wanderers midfielder. Jack Clisby then knocked the Bulls midfielder to the ground, with Lewis requiring treatment shortly after.
Both Lewis and Clisby received yellow cards as the former was punished for his scuffle with Priestman.
After a frantic first-half, the contest settled in the early going following the interval.
The Bulls’ best chance to equalise came just after the hour mark when Ulises Davila sprayed a cutback wide of Gibson’s goal, before minutes later Badolato was only inches away from doubling their lead once more after his speculative long range effort came close.
With just over 10 minutes remaining, Vujica’s evening came to an end prematurely, forced off the field with an injury in his return game after being on the sidelines since December 4.
The Wanderers faithful roared to life during the same stoppage, as Marko Rudan turned to his bench and brought on veteran Milos Ninkovic for only his second league appearance this season.
And it didn’t take long for Ninkovic to have an impact.
The 39-year-old found Tate Russell, who laid it off to Gabriel Cleur on the right-flank and his cross was put on a platter for fellow substitute Yuel – who dove in at the back post to nod home his second goal in Red and Black.
