Spirit maintain perfect record with victory over Wanderers
It’s been a memorable start to the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition for the NWS Spirit FC side who continued its 100% record defeating the Western Sydney Wanderers 3-2 at Wanderers Football Park on Saturday night to maintain its position atop of the league ladder.
The energy for this game was high from kick-off as both teams were keen to get the ball moving forward from the get go.
Wanderers had the first chance of the game. Alaat Abdul-Rahman broke free and fizzed one right at NWS Spirit FC keeper Christopher Marques.
The hosts thought they might have had the opener from a corner. It was swung into the net but pulled up for a foul.
NWS Spirit FC found their rhythm and created an opening. Marco Arambasic headed straight at Wanderers keeper Tristan Vidackovic.
It was the Wanderers who struck first in the 18th minute. Meliwethu drove down the wing before he cut it back to Abdul-Rahman to fire home with a deft touch that evaded Marques.
NWS Spirit FC had an immediate response to level the score. The cross was swung in and nodded down by Michael Konestabo for Arambasic to sweep home for the equaliser in the 22nd minute.
The visitors buoyed by their goal pressed forward in search of their second. Zayne Ahluwalia cut inside before he shot straight at Vidackovic.
Next it was their goal scorer Arambasic who tried to find the back of the net. He craned his header right at the keeper.
The Wanderers retook the lead in the 44th minute. Nicholas Badalato swung in a corner which found it’s way into the net for 2-1 and it looked as the David Perkovic’s men were set to drop its first points of the 2025 season.
However NWS Spirit FC pulled it back for the second time in the match. Jamie Percevski put in a beautiful cross which Konestabo headed home for 2-2 in first half stoppage time much to the dismay of the young Wanderers troops.
The visitors picked up where they left off in the second half. Konestabo found space before he carved an effort right at Vidackovic.
NWS Spirit FC grabbed the lead and made it 3-2 in the 62nd minute. Konestabo rolled his man well then fired it into the bottom corner for his second.
The visitors almost extended their lead with a flowing move led by substitute Jacob Chidiac who found Takumi Ofuka to roll the ball straight at the keeper.
Wanderers emptied their bench in the 77th minute in their effort to find an equalizer in an action packed contest.
The hosts employed the long throw technique, and it was flicked onto substitute Dallo Sandy whose acrobatic effort went right at Marques.
NWS Spirit FC had a chance to seal the game in stoppage time. Percevski fizzed an effort wide of the right post.
The Wanderers loaded men forward on a set piece which bobbled around but no one could find the telling touch.
League leaders NWS Spirit FC saw out the remainder of the game to go five from five setting a club record at this level.
Post match, Western Sydney Wanderers coach Richard Cardozo reflected on the side’s performance.
“We copped a few poor goals which were avoidable for us.
“We did well to create our goals in the first half which gave us a chance. I
“thought we were hard done by but credit to NWS Spirit FC who pulled us back twice in quick succession. I don’t think much went our way tonight.” said Cardozo.
While for NWS Spirit FC coach David Perkovic, he reflected on a tough away win for his league leading side.
“The game didn’t pan out the way I wanted but you have to find a way to win these games with the boys showing tremendous resilience.
“Scoring just before half-time was crucial for us to push towards the win in this game.
“We haven’t dropped a point and we’re gonna try to keep the run going and scoring three is great and I thought Marco Arambasic was great tonight.” said Perkovic.
Match Stats
Western Sydney Wanderers FC 2 (Abdul-Rahman ’18 OG ‘44)
NWS Spirit FC 3 (Arambasic ’22 Konestabo ‘45+2 ‘62)
Saturday 8 March 2025
Wanderers Football Park
Referees: Ayad Naji
Assistant Referees: Rory MacFarlane & Hayden Kaye
Fourth Official: Reece Edwards
Western Sydney Wanderers FC: 1. Tristan Vidackovic, 4. Ricky Fransen, 5. Lachlan Tilt, 8. Nicholas Badolato (11. Kaan Nizam ’68), 9. Alaat Abdul-Rahman, 18. Awan Lual (7. Dallo Sandy ’45), 22. Jesse Cameron, 26. Anthony Barbic (39. Kade Baccus ’63), 27. Julian Cop, 31. Aidan Simmons (16. Johnny Pavlovic ’77), 34. Meliwethu Nkomo (38. Noah Peacock ’77)
Unused subs: 20. Lucas Sinnott
Yellow cards: Badalato ’42 Cop ‘65
Red cards:
NWS Spirit FC: 1. Christopher Marques, 2. Anthony Younis (7, Frankie Ljucovic ’26), 5. Jordan Perez, 6. Corey Kavanagh, 8. Grant Cornwell, 10. Michael Konestabo (3. Kyah Williams ‘90+1), 13. Simon Nicholas, 14. Marco Arambasic (17. Jacob Chidiac ’63), 15. Jamie Percevski, 19. Zayne Ahluwalia, 22. Takumi Ofuka
Unused subs:12. Robert Fanella, 20. Austin Oates, 23. Lincoln Gilmour
Yellow cards: Nicholas ‘57
Red cards:
Player Ratings:
3: Marco Arambasic (NWS)
2: Michael Konestabo (NWS)
1: Julian Cop (WSW)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
