Wanderers secure top flight status as Mariners set for relegation playoff

The Western Sydney Wanderers secured a crucial 3-0 victory over the Central Coast Mariners at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon, ruling out any chance of relegation from the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition for the 2026 season.

After a steady goalless first half, the visitors kicked into action in the second stanza with goals from Awan Lual, Alaat Abdul-Rahman and Johnny Pavlovic unanswered by the Mariners.

Both sides entered the match desperate for a win to ensure they avoided the relegation play off match, with the chance of automatic relegation still on the table dependent on the performance of Mt Druitt Town Rangers.

The result secured safety for Western Sydney, while the Mariners will now battle it out with the SD Raiders for a place in the top flight for the 2026 season as Mt Druitt earned relegation with their last-placed finish on the competition ladder.

Lual tried to get Western Sydney ahead in the 16th minute, but his shot was blocked by the Mariners defence as it travelled towards the goal.

Abdul-Rahman sent a shot into the area for the Wanderers in the 28th minute, attempting to meet Julian Cop in front of the goal, however Cop couldn’t get enough on the ball to send it into the netting.

The visitors came back moments later as Abdul-Rahman came agonisingly close with his shot rebounding off the woodwork in the 30th minute.

Jai Rose earned a free kick for the Mariners on the edge of the 18-yard box in the 35th minute.

Former Wanderer Noah Peacock stepped up to take the shot, trying his luck for a goal from the promising area, however his effort skewed just wide of the woodwork.

Harper Ryles blazed forward in the 46th minute as he broke through two Wanderers defenders to create the perfect opportunity, but he skied his effort at close range.

Western Sydney made a lively return to the park after the half-time break, coming close in the 62nd minute.

Cop played a ball over the top to Lual in the area, but Joel Wade was able to deny and comfortably collect Jesse Cameron’s follow up shot.

Central Coast had a promising opportunity in the 70th minute as Rose weaved his way forward before playing the ball to substitute Ahmed Elhelou in front of goal, but his shot missed the target.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 79th minute by Lual as Western Sydney opened the scoring.

Nicholas Badalato sent a ball into the area, meeting the head of Ricky Fransen.

Fransen sent the ball towards the goalmouth and after a bounce, Lual tapped it in from close range to finish.

Wanderers used their momentum to blaze forward again in the 84th minute, with the Mariners desperately defending.

As Shumba Mutokoyi dove to defend inside the area, the ball struck his hand and saw the Wanderers earn a penalty.

Abdul-Rahman stepped up to the spot and fired home his penalty shot past a diving Wade to take the visitors’ lead to two.

The Mariners had a chance to get a goal on the scoreboard in the 86th minute from a free kick.

Harrison Jablosnki sent a ball into the area and met Michael Paragali, whose header was parried away by Tristan Vidackovic.

Ryles tried his luck from the rebound but hit the woodwork.

The Wanderers pushed forward through Abdul-Rahman in the 88th minute as the attacker drew out Wade from his position between the sticks, but he wasn’t able to put enough into his shot for it to cross the line.

Max Hately set up the wanderers third and final goal of the match in the 92nd minute, cutting the ball across to substitute Pavlovic in front of the goal.

Mariners came close to a consolidation goal in the 95th minute as Paragali played forward to Elhelou, but his effort skewed wide.

The result meant that the Wanderers will remain in the NPL Men’s NSW competition in 2026 while the Mariners will face League One outfit SD Raiders who finished second, across a two-legged play-off in a bid to keep their top tier status alive for another year.

Match Stats

Central Coast Mariners FC 0

Western Sydney Wanderers FC 3 (Lual 79’, Abdul-Rahman 84’, Pavlovic 92’)

Sunday 31 August

Pluim Park, Lisarow

Referee: Jake Rose

Assistant Referees: Patrick Teleki & Hayden Kaye

Fourth Official: Rowan Fisher

Central Coast Mariners FC: 3. Michael Paragalli, 11. Jai Rose, 12. Ty McKibbin (26. Flynn Richards 56’), 19. Noah Peacock (9. Ahmad Elhelou 66’), 22. Shumba Mutokoyi, 23. Laurence Taylor (6. Jordan Small 56’), 24. Kye Schumacher (14. Angus Reid 85’), 35. Max Miller (13. Logan Sambrook 85’), 38. Harrison Jablonski, 39. Harper Ryles, 40. Joel Wade

Substitutes Not Used: 20. Jai Ajanovic

Yellow Cards: Schumacher 45’

Red Cards: Nil

Western Sydney Wanderers FC: 1. Tristan Vidackovic, 2. Nathan Barrie (3. Oscar Morrison 93’), 4. Ricky Fransen, 8. Nicholas Badolato (13. Thomas Cutuk 93’), 9. Alaat Abdul-Rahman (41. Georgio Hassarati 93’), 18. Awan Lual (16. Johnny Pavlovic 90’), 22. Jesse Cameron, 26. Anthony Barbic, 27. Julian Cop, 33. Leon Alizart. 39. Kade Baccus (19. Max Hately 72’)

Substitutes Not Used: 20. Lucas Sinnot

Yellow Cards: Abdul-Rahman 18’, Barrie 67’, Vidackovic 94’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Alaat Abdul-Rahman (WSW)

2 – Awan Lual (WSW)

1 – Julian Cop (WSW)