It was the perfect weekend for the Western Sydney Wanderers in the PS4 NPL2 competition as they made up an incredible amount of ground on Sydney FC in the race for promotion.
Going into their three matches against Mounties 22 points off first-placed Sydney FC, the Red & Black won all three games to close the gap to just four points after Sydney FC lost first grade and U20s to Marconi Stallions.
It was exactly what was needed heading into this Saturday’s first-ever NPL Sydney Derby at Lambert Park.
The match against Mounties started brightly with chances to Mario Shabow and Ramy Najjarine as both youngsters shot off target. Shabow almost made amends when his shot on the turn bounced off the woodwork but the Wanderers had the lead only five minutes later.
It was a sensational strike from Alusine Fofanah to open the scoring with the winger scoring from a very wide position.
Only two minutes later and it was 2-0 with Liam Youlley converting a penalty after Shayne D’Cunha was felled in the box.
Funnily enough, both goals came while the Wanderers only had ten men on the pitch as Daniel Alessi was getting treatment on the sideline.
Just as half time was approaching Mounties got a goal back with a nice strike but when the two teams came out after half time there was only going to be one winner.
Tariq Maia, Lachlan Scott and Najjarine all had chances to extend the lead before Scott fired a quick-fire double in the final ten minutes for a 4-1 win.
It was Scott’s 14th goal in only 12 NPL matches this season.
Next week sees the Wanderers take on Sydney FC at Lambert Park in the first-ever NPL Sydney Derby. First grade kicks-off at 2pm.
Western Sydney Wanderers 4 (Alusine Fofanah 35’ Liam Youlley 38’ Lachlan Scott 80’ 90’)
Mounties Wanderers 1
Western Sydney Wanderers: Matthew Symes, Keanu Baccus, Daniel Alessi (Malcolm Ward (Kyle Cimenti)), Jonathan Aspropotamitis, Shayne D’Cunha, Liam Youlley (Tariq Maia), Cameron Devlin, Mario Shabow, Alusine Fofanah, Ramy Najjarine, Lachlan Scott
Unused subs: Nicholas Suman, Joshua Gaspari
Other results
20s: WSW 3-0 Mounties
18s: WSW 6-1 Mounties
16s: WSW 2-1 Sutherland
15s: WSW 2-1 Sutherland
14s: WSW 0-0 Sutherland
