Mount Druitt Town Rangers picked up three vital points in their 2-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers at Popondetta Park on Saturday night.
It was Mt Druitt Town Rangers’ first home win of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s campaign, and it was well earned.
Nikola Djordjevic and Kotaro Katsuta fired home in the first half to settle the points as they look to continue their move up the ladder.
Western Sydney Wanderers put in a huge shift despite being rocked with illness and suspensions throughout the week.
Marcus Younis equalised in the 16th minute with a stunning side foot strike that will be on the end of season highlight reels.
The game itself got off to a bright start.
Young gun Younis created some space before he fired an effort over the bar.
It was Mt Druitt Town Rangers who struck first however.
Following a Jackson Bandiera corner, Nikola Djordjevic rose highest to nod home for a 1-0 lead after 13 minutes.
Younis was heavily involved in most of the work for the Wanderers. The NPL NSW Men’s human highlight reel almost responded immediately as his effort flashed over the bar from a Luca Pecora cross.
The striker didn’t need a second invitation to find the back of the net however.
From an in swinging cross, Younis superbly side-footed his effort home and it was game on.
The action was thick and fast and Mt Druitt stole the lead again. Kotaro Katsuta pressed well and snatched the ball following a Wanderers mistake before he swept home to make it 2-1.
The hosts were keen to remain on the front foot. Bandiera again delivered a precise cross for Will Harvey to crane his header over the bar.
The Wanderers weren’t without their chances to equalise.
Younis turned provider and delivered a perfect pass for Alexander Badolato to turn wide just before the break.
It continued to be a fast-paced contest in the second half.
Badolato had the ball fall to him and thrashed it over for the Wanderers.
As the match headed into injury time, Pecora found some space and whistled an effort over the bar for the Wanderers.
There was a late chance to seal all three points for Mt Druitt Town Rangers.
Katsuta played a nice ball to substitute Nikola Skataric who shot straight at Wanderers custodian Jack Warshawsky.
Post match Mt Druitt Town Rangers coach Stewart Montgomery reflected on an important three points for his side on a crisp night at Emerton.
“I’d say it was good to see our hard work and effort has gone our way tonight.
“Sometimes you need that in this game.
“After the last three games which we won, we’ve found our results and getting the ball to bounce our way.” said Montgomery.
While Western Sydney Wanderers coach Andrew Christiansen although beaten, was proud of the effort his team put together considering the many absentees.
“We weren’t at our best tonight and made a few mistakes.
“That cost us, and we didn’t take our chances tonight.
“We had the better chances but made a few errors at the back.
“I’m proud of the group, especially with a few out due to covid, the rest of the players put in a good shift.”
Match Stats
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 2 (Djordjevic ‘13, Katsuta ‘22)
Western Sydney Wanderers 1 (Younis ‘16)
Saturday 6 May 2023
Popondetta Park, Emerton
Referee: Chris Hughes
Assistant Referees: Alessandro Llana & Ayad Naji
Fourth Official: Mitchell Renton
Mt Druitt Town Rangers: Mt Druitt Town Rangers: 3. Nikola Djordjevic, 5. Jacob Esposito, 6. Jared Macerola, 10. Kotaro Katsuta, 11. Jackson Bandiera, 12. Will Harvey, 15. Anthony Gallo (7. Nikola Skataric ‘65), 20. Dylan Niski, 21. Tarek Elrich, 23. Daniel Dias, 44. Anthony Frangie (22. Rhett Desilva ‘82)
Unused subs: 1. Robert Fanella, 8. Junyong Jin, 41. Ivan Sunjic, 43. Abdelelah Faisal
Yellow cards: Djordjevic ‘48, Frangie ‘77
Red cards: nil
Western Sydney Wanderers: 1. Jack Warshawsky, 2. Matthew O’Donoghue (22. Jesse Cameron ‘80), 4. Alex Bonetig, 5. Luca Pecora, 6. Frans Deli (21. Adam Bugarija ‘88), 7. Marcus Younis, 8. Alessandro Lopane (29. Edmun Haddad ‘63), 9. Nathaniel Blair, 10. Alexander Badolato (23. Mason Fernandez ‘63), 14. George Antonis (27. Farah Koko ‘63), 26. Yiannis Frerck
Unused subs: 30. William Loucas
Yellow cards: Deli ‘27, Fernandez ‘87
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings:
3: Kotaro Katsuta (MDTR)
2: Jackson Bandiera (MDTR)
1: Marcus Younis (WSW)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)