Spirit edge out Wanderers to keep its Premiership homes alive
The NWS Spirit FC had to fight hard to earn a gritty 1-0 victory over relegation threatened Western Sydney Wanderers at Christie Park on Saturday night.
After an even start to the fixture, the hosts took full control in the second half with a Frankie Ljucovic strike separating the sides as they once returned to the winners circle once more.
Aside from a few half chances falling to Spirit’s Takumi Ofuka in the early stages, a lot of the first twenty minutes was played in midfield as both teams fought to gain supremacy.
The first chance of note fell to Yu Okubo in the 37th minute, Okubo narrowly missing the top left corner with his shot after a build up down the right.
Next it was the turn of the Wanderers to go close, Awan Lual denied by a great save from Christopher Marques in the 40th minute. Edmun Haddad played a neat ball to Lual who saw his shot headed for the bottom left corner but was tipped around the post by a desperate Marques.
Both sides exchanged chances towards the end of the half with Okubo having another shot palmed over in the dying stages as the match went scoreless at the break.
It was a pattern which continued after the break, former Spirit young gun Noah Peacock started the second half in terms of chances with a shot around the wall which was saved by Marques
Spirit soon responded with a Harry Keys shot which rattled the post after it took a deflection as the hosts went on the hunt for that elusive first goal.
Spirit were now in control with Okubo becoming more involved in their attack. The Japanese striker hooking his shot wide of the target in the 70th minute.
The hosts finally found the back of the net soon after through Frankie Ljucovic. Ljucovic’s first time strike following a good ball from Okubo settled the home fans nerves as the young Wanderers made it hard for the higher placed opponents.
The Wanderers almost got back into the game as Kaan Nizam tried his luck from range but went wide of the target as he spotted Marques off his line.
It was to be the last major chance of the match as the whistle blew with Spirit securing three big points for their hunt towards to the finals but it was another blow for the Wanderers who are living dangerously close to the relegation zone.
“I think our substitutes made a huge impact tonight on the game,” said NWS Spirit FC Head Coach David Perkovic.
“After half-time we needed to calm down a refocus and we were able to find momentum.
” I was really pleased with the impact young Harry Keys made when he came on and it was good to see Frankie (Ljucovic) rewarded for one of those late runs into the area which he made all game.”.
Match Stats
NWS Spirit FC 1 (Ljucovic 75’)
Western Sydney Wanderers 0
Saturday 21st June, 2025
Christie Park, Macquarie Park
Referee: Lucas Mattia
Assistant Referees: Rowan Fisher & Hayden Kaye
Fourth Official: Jackson Mackie
NWS Spirit: 1. Christopher Marques, 3. Kyah Williams, 4. Bradie Smith, 6. Corey Kavanagh (17. Jacob Chidiac 86’), 7. Frankie Ljucovic, 8. Grant Cornwell, 9. Yu Okubo, 10. Michael Konestabo, 13. Simon Nicholas (5. Jordan Perez 70’), 19. Zayne Ahluwalia (11. Ollie Wiggin 70’), 22. Takumi Ofuka (21. Harry Keys 60’).
Substitutes Not Used: 51. Christophe Chen, 20. Austin Oates.
Yellow Cards: Nicholas 34’
Red Cards: Nil
Western Sydney Wanderers: 1. Tristan Vidackovic, 2. Nathan Barrie, 4. Ricky Fransen, 6. Ryley Hollingdale (8. Nicholas Badolato 78’), 7. Dallo Sandy (5. Lachlan Tilt 63’), 10. Edmun Haddad, 18. Awan Lual, 22. Jesse Cameron (11. Kaan Nizam 63’), 27. Julian Cop, 33. Leon Allzart, 34. Noah Peacock (16. Johnny Pavlovic 78’).
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Lucas Sinnott, 26. Antony Barbic
Yellow Cards: Fransen 34’, Peacock 60’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3- Yu Okubo (NWS)
2- Bradie Smith (NWS)
1- Harry Keys (NWS)
By Justin Smith
