Wanderers win vital six-pointer pushing Rangers towards the danger zone

The Western Sydney Wanderers secured a 2-1 victory over a 10-man Mt Druitt Town Rangers on Saturday night at Popondetta Park.

After the high of breaking ahead in the 42nd minute through Lachlan Vasiliou, the Mt Druitt Town Rangers’ luck turned as they dropped to 10 men with the departure of Pedrinho minutes later.

The Wanderers took advantage, levelling the score through Awan Lual in the 55th minute before taking the lead in the 74th minute through Edmun Haddad.

The points will be incredibly valuable for the visitors as they look to move clear of the relegation zone in the second half of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season.

There was plenty of excitement from kick-off as the two sides battled to start the match off strong.

The hosts had a promising opportunity in the 25th minute from a free kick, but Tristan Vidackovic confidently punched it out of contention.

Theph Theph managed a shot from the subsequent corner, but Vidackovic was again able to deny.

The Wanderers looked poised to take the lead in the 33rd minute as a corner kick landed with  Lual who passed it on to Haddad.

Haddad sent a shot towards the target but his effort was cleared off the line.

Joey Gibbs sent a strike towards goal from a free kick in the 35th minute but Vidackovic was well-positioned to collect.

The visitors had their chance from a free kick in the 40th minute but Dylan Niski was able to tip Noah Peacock’s shot over the crossbar.

After plenty of end-to-end action it was the hosts that broke ahead in the 42nd minute.

An unfortunate touch from Ricky Fransen gave Mt Druitt the ball on the attack.

Pedrinho quickly played through to Vasilou, who chipped the ball over Vidackovic to open the scoring.

The high didn’t last long for the hosts as Pedrinho was sent from the field with a red card in the 43th minute after a challenge on Meliwethu Nkomo.

The Wanderers made the most of the extra man as they returned to the pitch after the half-time break, scoring the equaliser in the 55th minute.

Alaat Abdul-Rahman drove down the left flank before crossing to Lual in front of the goal, who confidently struck it over the line from close range.

The Wanderers were back in action in the 70th minute as Lual sent a ball over the top to substitute Kaan Nizam, who played Haddad in a central position, but Niski was able to save the shot.

The visitors’ continued pressure paid off in the 74th minute as they took the lead through Haddad.

Nkomo sent a ball into the area from the goal line on the left flank and Haddad was in position in front of goal to tap it in from close-range.

The hosts had a free kick in the 77th minute but they weren’t able to make anything happen from John Azar’s shot.

Lual came close to taking the Wanderers to three in the 79th minute but Niski was able to tip the shot away.

Mt Druitt tried to make the most of two consecutive corners in the 87th minute but couldn’t bring their chances to fruition.

Match Stats

Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 1 (Vasiliou 42’)

Western Sydney Wanderers FC 2 (Lual 55’, Haddad 74’)

Saturday May 24th, 2025

Popondetta Park, Emerton

Referee: Adrian Arndt

Assistant Referees: Lachlan Hines and Thomas Aalders

Fourth Official: Joshua Kermond

Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC: 1. Dylan Niski, 4. Zac Sfiligoi, 5. Theph Theph, 6. Jared Macerola, 9. Joseph Gibbs, 10. Joao Pedro Oliveira Santos, 15. Caleb Jackson-Brown, 18. Lachlan Vasiliou (7. Garang Awac 60’), 20. Thomas Lopez (11. John Azar, 73’), 21. William Rankin (3. Joseph White 82’), 27. Shayden Sampow (22. Jude Rankin 82’)

Substitutes Not Used: 2. Alexander Trajanoski, 16. Stefan Giglio

Yellow Cards: Joao Pedro Oliveira Santos 43’

Red Cards: Nil

Western Sydney Wanderers FC:1. Tristan Vidackovic, 2. Nathan Barrie, 4. Ricky Fransen, 6. Ryley Hollingdale (5. Lachlan Tilt 93’), 9. Alaat Abdul-Rahman (3. Oscar Morrison 93’), 10. Edmun Haddad (8. Nicholas Badolato 82’), 18. Awan Lual (24. Tristan Arrarte 82’), 22. Jesse Cameron, 27. Julian Cop, 34. Meliwethu Nkomo, 38. Noah Peacock (11. Kaan Nizam 65’)

Substitutes Not Used: 20. Lucas Sinnot

Yellow Cards: Cameron 36’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Edmun Haddad (WSW)

2 – Awan Lual (WSW)

1 – Meliwethu Nkomo (WSW)