Wanderers sizzle past rivals Sydney FC with second half masterclass

It was the Western Sydney Wanderers who grabbed the derby spoils as the Red and Black defeated staunch rivals Sydney FC 5-2 at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Friday night to continue its fine form in the 2024 National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition.
The Sky Blues had to overcome conceding first yet again. They did so with aplomb when Tiago Quintal equalized in the 13th then an own goal by Doni Grdic gave them a 2-1 lead in the 28th minute before they were blown away in the second half.
Western Sydney Wanderers continued their strong start to the 2024 campaign being one of the teams to beat. Marcus Younis opened the scoring early before they were pegged back. Former FC star Zachary Sapsford levelled before half-time then strikes from Aydan Hammond, Ryley Hollingdale and another from Younis rounded out the win.
The Wanderers enjoyed the best start possible in the 3rd minute. Hammond broke the line, crashed an effort against the bar then Younis headed home for 1-0.
Hammond tried to repeat the dose moments later. He surged forward again but his effort was straight at Sydney FC keeper Alexander Zaverdinos.
Sydney FC started to find their rhythm from a set piece. They went short from a corner then Nathan Amanatidis fired over.
The Sky Blues found an equalizer in the 13th minute. Quintal cut inside his man and curled home to make it 1-1.
It was an open game in the first 45 minutes. Younis again was heavily involved when his free-kick was pushed wide by Zaverdinos.
Wanderers hit the bar soon after again. Sapsford whacked one against the bar but the follow up couldn’t be turned home.
Sydney FC absorbed the pressure and took the lead. Amanatidis drove forward and fizzed in a cross which was turned home by Grdic for 2-1 in the 28th minute.
The visitors finished the half on a high. Sapsford was denied again then Ryan Devine whistled an effort wide.
They did make it 2-2 in the 38th minute. Ryley Hollingdale hit the woodwork then Sapsford was on hand to thump it home.
Coming out of the break, Wanderers felt just fine. Hammond weaved between defenders and fired home for 3-2 in the 48th minute.
Sydney FC had a chance for an instant response. Bailey Callaghan rose highest from a corner and nodded wide.
The Sky Blues kept pushing forward for another equalizer. Lachlan Middleton and Jacob Brazete both had strikes which went wide.
It was the connection between Hammond and Younis which almost brought a fourth for the Wanderers. The latter couldn’t turn home.
Younis made up for that minutes later. He found space inside the box and rolled it home for 4-2 in the 73rd minute.
Taiga Harper had one final moment of action. Amanatidis found space in the area but the keeper plunged to his right to deny the Sky Blues winger.
Wanderers wrapped up the game with a fabulous free-kick. Hollingdale struck it well into the top corner to make it 5-2.
Post match, Sydney FC coach Jimmy Van Weeren reflected on the loss for his side after a positive first half:
“I think second half, their more experienced players started to dominate the game especially in our half. A few naïve moments from us gave them opportunities.” Said Van Weeren.
While Western Sydney Wanders coach Andrew Christiansen reflected on a huge win against their rivals which happened to be their third straight over the Sky Blues in the NPL Men’s NSW competition.
“I am very happy with the result in the derby so it matters more.
“I was happy in the first half scoring twice then we fixed up our errors in the second and the goals came.
“This is a very season in a lot of ways and I’m pleased with how we started and proud of the group.” said Christiansen.
Match Stats
Sydney FC 2 (Quintal ’13, Grdic own goal 28)
Western Sydney Wanderers FC 5 (Younis ‘3 ‘73, Sapsford ’38, Hammond ’48, Hollingdale ‘79)
Friday 15 March 2024
Ilinden Sports Centre
Referee: Mujtaba Ebrahimi
Assistant Referees: James Makris & Peter Teleki
Fourth Official: Joel Crawford
Sydney FC: 3. Tyler Williams, 4. Joseph Calusic (14. Jared Middleton ’84), 5. Meliwhetu Nkomo, 6. Dylan Rose (29. Samuel Lancaster ’77), 8. Lachlan Middleton, 9. Bailey Callaghan (17. Ayouk Mow ’61), 10. Tiago Quintal, 13. Jacob Brazete (11. Marin France ’61), 21. Zachary De Jesus (2. Noah Mathie ’45), 28. Nathan Amanatidis, 40. Alexander Zaverdinos
Unused subs: 30. Sean Suzuki
Yellow cards: Rose ‘22
Red cards: nil
Western Sydney Wanderers FC: 1. Taiga Harper, 4. Doni Grdic, 7. Marcus Younis (77. Phillip Gigliotti ’80), 11. Adam Bujarija, 13. Aydan Hammond, 14. Zachary Sapsford (18. Awan Lal ’80), 16. Roman Culina, 22. Jesse Cameron, 23. Marcus Fernandez (24. Anthony Barbic ’84), 25. Ryley Hollingdale, 99. Ryan Devine (45. Rushoon Tafunai ’88)
Unused subs: 3. Anthony Pantazopoulos, 30. Marcus Petrovski
Yellow cards: Younis ’41 Fernandez ‘45+2
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings
3: Aydan Hammond (WSW)
2: Marcus Younis (WSW)
1: Jesse Cameron (WSW)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)