Wanderers woes continue as NWS Spirit FC celebrate victory
NWS Spirit FC bounced back from their midweek match of the round defeat with a 1-0 win over a free-falling Western Sydney Wanderers outfit at Christie Park on Saturday evening.
The hosts second victory at the venue in the space of a week, a Michael Konestabo’s goal in the first half proved enough for David Perkovic’s side to secure the much needed three points.
Coming into this one in better form, NWS Spirit looked threatening in the games opening stages from the set piece. Richie Darko with the games first chance before Konestabo saw his effort go over the bar narrowly just after the fifth minute..
The home side’s best chance fell after that period, a Darko corner from the right was not turned home by Jared Lum at the back post from point blank range after 20 minutes.
While the young Wanderers nearly made them pay for their lack of end product with their first chance in the 26th minute. The returning Jesse Cameron delivered a lovely ball from the right which couldn’t be finished off by Rushonn Tafunai at the back post
Spirit were to take the lead eventually though through Konestabo. The midfielder finishing from inside the box with his left foot, Ollie Wiggin with the assist on the left wing just after the half hour.
Wanderers almost found an equaliser soon after. Tafunai nearly turned provider with a cross falling to Dallo Sandy who perhaps wasn’t expecting the ball to make it to him with a loose touch going wide.
The visitors keeper Lucas Sinnott denied Wiggin, Jesse Michel and Konestabo in the final ten minutes of the half as the chances piled up for the hosts..
Needing to change things, Wanderers coach Andrew Christiansen turned to his bench and the visitors settled into the second half better than the first.
The games tempo slowed down as the Wanderers started to send a few balls into their attacking area.
A question of who wanted it more, Spirit nearly found their second in the 65th minute. Kyle Shaw saw his header cleared off the line from the Wanderers defence.
Wanderers then went close to an equaliser in the 71st minute, an inviting ball from the right was headed into the ground by young Wanderers prospect Kaan Nizam, the ball bouncing over the crossbar.
The game showing signs of life at this point with Konestabo involved in a lovely flowing move from the hosts which saw Noah Peacock lay the ball off for him before he found Darko at the far post – Darko’s effort going just wide.
While Wanderers through Ryley Hollingdale went close, direct from a corner on the left, rattling the crossbar with his in swinging delivery with less than ten minutes left.
NWS Spirit FC saw the game out well in the final ten minutes as they face St George City next week while the young Western Sydney Wanderers take on Sydney FC hoping to get back into the winner’s circle once more.
Match Stats
NWS Spirit 1 (Konestabo 32’)
Western Sydney Wanderers 0
Saturday 15 June, 2024
Christie Park, Macquarie Park
Referee: Jeh Coutinho
Assistant Referees: Patrick Teleki & Joel Crawford
Fourth Official: Jackson Tippett
NWS Spirit: 1. Christopher Marques (GK), 3. Kyle Shaw, 4. Jarred Mckinley (18. Zachary Cianci 79’), 7. Richie Darko, 10. Michael Konestabo, 11. Ollie Wiggin (12. Titus Macharia 92’), 13. Simon Nicholas, 16. Ante Bakmaz, 17. Jacob Chidiac, 19. Jesse Michel (34. Noah Peacock 45’), 20. Jared Lum
Substitutes Not Used: 31. Joel Wade, 14. Jacob Sullivan, 32. James Dyer.
Yellow Cards: Shaw 84’
Red Cards: Nil
Western Sydney Wanderers: 20. Lucas Sinnott (GK), 16. Roman Culina, 18. Awan Lual (19. Dimo Dimo 45’), 22. Jesse Cameron (27. Julian Cop 45’), 23. Marcus Fernandez (28. Luke Nieuwenhof 45’), 24. Antony Barbic, 25. Ryley Hollingdale, 37. Dallo Sandy (35. Kaan Nizam 69’), 45. Rushonn Tafunai, 77. Phillip Gigliotti, 99. Ryan Devine (37. Ricky Fransen 64’)
Substitutes Not Used: 30. Marcus Petrovski
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3- Michael Konestabo (NWS)
2- Ollie Wiggin (NWS)
1- Julian Cop (WSW)
By Justin Smith