Ruthless Wanderers go top despite late Mariners fightback.
Western Sydney Wanderers have leaped into first place on the National Premier League Men’s NSW ladder following a dominant performance at Pluim Park on Wednesday night.
Western Sydney jumped out to a commanding 3-0 lead at the half and were able to hold on to the three points despite Central Coast coming within a goal deficit as they pulled two back late in the match for a 5-2 victory.
It was the Wanderers who took the early lead in the sixth minute, with a perfect cross from skipper Zachary Sapsford finding Marcus Younis at the back post to head it home.
Returning Mariner Bailey Brandtman looked the likeliest to level proceedings, with his closest strike thumping off the left post.
The visitors doubled their lead in the 31st minute after an incredible cheeky curling chip from Anthony Pantazopoulos. Mariners’ goalkeeper Jack Warshawsky came up with a sharp save on his line, though was outdone by Pantazopolous’ magic.
Not looking to slow down, Andrew Christiansen’s men furthered their lead seven minutes later courtesy of a brilliant half-volley from ex-Mariner Ayden Hammond in his return to Pluim Park.
Warshaswky put his body on the line to hold out one final Wanderers blitz, as Western Sydney took a deserved 3-0 advantage into the sheds.
Central Coast were the first to strike in the second half. Lucas Scicluna whipped in great cross, which pinballed its way to the vacant hot foot of Luka Smyth.
Minutes later and the crowd were on their feet following an incredible strike from Lucas Scicluna outside the box to bring the hosts within one after seemingly being down and out.
Not shying from the action, Brandtman again flawed his elusive footwork, beating the entire Wanderers defensive line and chipping past goalkeeper Taiga Harper which seemed a sure equaliser.
However, the ball had either idea’s and spun the wrong direction and away from goal.
Western Sydney was in dire need of a spark, and after holding out Mariners in their short flurry, were rewarded in the 85th minute with a ball across the face from Nathanael Blair finding his skipper Zachary Sapsford to restore the two-goal advantage.
After a commanding individual performance, Wanderers’ Nathanael Blair put the icing on the cake to stretch the final score to 5-2 and squash any comeback from their academy counterparts.
Western Sydney Wanderers head coach Andrew Christiansen was proud of his side stepping up to the moments throughout the match and is enjoying watching his young side compete as current competition frontrunners.
“We pressed well and capitalised on it and then when the roles reversed in the second half, I thought we managed the moments well and I was proud of how the boys stood up to the moments,” said Christiansen.
“We’ve been able to show ourselves that we these young men are talented players, and we want people to take notice of that.”
For Central Coast Mariners’ Lucas Vilela, he believes the short turnaround between games is a good thing as it doesn’t give is side time to dwell on the loss and to move forward to the next job.
“It’s tough but that’s football and football doesn’t give you a time to cry, you have to put in the work,” said Vilela.
“We learn together, and we go again and try to do things better and keep the good things we are doing at the club.”
Match Stats
Central Coast Mariners 2 (Smyth 63’, Scicluna 67’)
Western Sydney Wanderers 5 (Younis 6’, Pantazopoulos 31’, Hammond 38’, Sapsford 85’, Blair 90’)
Wednesday 20th March, 2024
Pluim Park, Lisarow
Referee: Danny Horstead
Central Coast Mariners: 1. Jack Warshawsky (GK), 2. Michael Paragalli, 3. Cher Dong, 4. Andre Parkes, 5. Harry Menham, 8. Lucas Scicluna (C), 10. Luka Smyth (6. Jordan Small 90’), 11. Donatien Niyonkuru, 16. Prayaag Thapa (13. Yani Nassis 90’), 37. Bailey Brandtman, 39. Adam Hall (12. Taye Hedley 69’)
Unused Subs: 22. Rocco Smith, 33. Alexander Gountounas, 40. Dylan Peraic-Cullen
Yellow Cards
Red Cards: Luka Smyth 65’
Western Sydney Wanderers: 1. Taiga Harper (GK), 2. Nathan Barrie, 3. Anthony Pantazopoulos (99. Ryan Devine 64’), 4. Doni Grdic, 7. Marcus Younis (11. Adam Bugarija 64’), 9. Nathanael Blair, 10. Alexander Badolato (18. Awan Lual, 90’), 13. Ayden Hammond (77. Phillip Gigilotti, 79’), 14. Zachary Sapsford (C), 22. Jesse Cameron, 25. Ryley Hollingdale
Unused Subs: 16. Roman Culina, 20. Lucas Sinnott,
Yellow Cards: Doni Grdic 85’
Red Cards:
Player Ratings
3: Nathanel Blair (WSW
2: Ayden Hammond (WSW)
1: Bailey Brandtman (CCM)
By Mitchell Roese (@mitchellroese)
