Wanderers and Mt Druitt share opening round spoils
It was an eye catching contest at Wanderers Football Park as the Western Sydney Wanderers and Mt Druitt Town Rangers played out a 1-1 draw in the opening round of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition on a humid Saturday afternoon.
The Wanderers started the game on the front foot and got their reward in the 41st minute. Meliwethu Nkomo curled the ball into the net for 1-0 at the break. The hosts were pegged back in a pulsating second half via a familiar figure in former Blacktown City striker Joey Gibbs which saw the teams share the points.
The Rangers, who were automatically won promotion last season, started in a positive fashion with Olayina Sunmola driving through the midfield and shooting straight.
Next, Wanderers got their foot on the ball with Ricky Fransen coming close to opening the scoring.
The Wanderers kept pushing forward for the opener. Alaat Abdul-Rahman caught the defence on the break and shot right at Rangers keeper Dylan Niski.
Luka Knezevic had the next opportunity for the hosts. He controlled the ball well the fizzed a volley wide of the post.
For the visitors, Sunmola was their outlet for going forward. He played a nice combination with Gibbs to force Wanderers keeper Tristan Vidackovic into a stop.
Both sides pressed for the opener. Wanderers had two guilt edge chances to put one past Niski but were denied then Wanderers scrambled one away.
Rangers’ new Brazilian signing Joao Pedro Oliveira-Silva went close to announcing himself with a strong effort that Vidackovic grabbed.
Wanderers made it 1-0 in the 41st minute through Meliwethu Nkomo. The hosts recycled the ball well and he curled it into the top corner.
The visitors tried for an immediate response in the dying embers of the first half. The precise efforts was collected easily by Vidackovic.
The Rangers struck in the 52nd minute to bring the game level. Caleb Jackson-Brown laid off a pass for Gibbs to turn home for 1-1.
After the equalizer, the game settled into a rhythm for the next ten minutes.
Jude Rankin was almost the super sub for the Rangers. He came off the bench and turned well to force Vidackovic into a stop.
The visitors started to hold the bulk of the possession. Oliveira-Silva cut inside and forced the Wanderers to clear it off the line.
The Rangers kept pushing forward for the winner. as Sunmola found some space and had to be denied by Vidackovic again.
The game became stretched in the final ten minutes. Both teams flew up and down the field looking for a winner.
Wanderers went close through captain Aidan Simmons who found space near the box and fizzed an effort past the post.
The hosts had another big chance from the set piece again. It fell to the back post but Franzen couldn’t provide the final touch.
As the game headed into stoppage time, it became end-to-end. The Rangers piled on the chances including having a penalty shout that was turned away.
Their best chance fell to Oliveira-Santos. He charged forward well and cut inside and forced Vidackovic into a lunging stop.
The Rangers huffed and puffed in stoppage time but neither team could find the winner and shared the points.
Post match, Western Sydney Wanderers coach Richard Cardozo reflected on the point to open their 2025 season.
“I think it opened up a lot in the final 15 minutes for both teams.
“We had the better of the first half and should’ve been up a few goals.
“Second half, they got on top early and pegged us back but I think we deserved all three points.” said Cardozo.
For Mt Druitt Town Rangers coach Andy Montgomery, he reflected on their return back to the top grade and a fighting performance.
“I thought we played very well, Wanderers came out with typical energy for an academy side but once we got the control we dominated.
“It was a game for the fans and this game proved that we belong at this level.” said Montgomery.
Match Stats
Western Sydney Wanderers FC 1 (Nkomo ’41)
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 1 (Gibbs ’52)
Saturday 8 February 2025
Wanderers Football Park
Referee:
Assistant Referees:
Fourth Official:
Western Sydney Wanderers FC: 1. Tristan Vidackovic, 2. Nathan Barrie (5. Lachlan Tilt ’63), 4. Ricky Fransen, 8. Nicholas Badolato, 9. Alaat Abdul-Rahman (18. Awan Lual ’73), 16. Luka Knezevic (38. Noah Peacock ’73), 22. Jesse Cameron, 27. Julian Cop (26. Antony Barbic ’81), 32. Aidan Simmons, 34. Meliwethu Nkomo, 39. Kade Baccus (11. Kaan Nizam ’63)
Unused subs: 20. Lucas Sinnott
Yellow cards: Cameron ‘60
Red cards: nil
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC: 1. Dylan Niski, 3. Joseph White, 4. Zac Sfiligoi, 6. Jared Macerola, 9. Joseph Gibbs, 10. Joao Pedro Oliveira Santos, 14. Olayinka Sunmola (7. Garan Awac ’83), 15. Caleb Jackson-Brown, 17. Cooper Coskerie, 20. Thomas Lopez (22. Jude Rankin ’66), 21. William Rankin
Unused subs: 2. Alexander Trajanoski, 8. Bailey Jacobs, 16. Stefan Giglio, 99. Rocco Fragale
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings:
3: Joao Pedro Oliveira-Santos (MDTR)
2: Joseph Gibbs (MDTR)
1: Tristan Vidackovic (WSW)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
