Harb the Hero as UNSW Stun Wanderers Late

UNSW FC secured a valuable three points on Saturday evening with a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Western Sydney Wanderers at The Village Green.

All three goals came in a dramatic late flurry, with the Wanderers breaking the deadlock through Harper Ryles in the 81st minute.

UNSW responded immediately, with substitute Kevin Lopes rising to the occasion to head home the equaliser in the 85th minute.

The hosts continued to surge forward and completed the comeback in stunning fashion, as fellow substitute Jyden Harb curled home a brilliant winner in the 92nd minute.

Ryles looked lively early for the visitors, forcing a strong save from UNSW goalkeeper Tristan Prendergast in the 10th minute after getting a shot away.

The Wanderers created a series of early chances, with Lachlan Sattout finding Oscar Moore in the 14th minute, whose header was intercepted by Grant Lynch. Tristan Arrarte then tested Prendergast again from the edge of the box in the 16th minute.

At the other end, Oliver Puflett tried his luck from range in the 20th minute but was denied by Western Sydney goalkeeper Tristan Vidackovic.

UNSW threatened again in the 33rd minute through a Nathan Roberts free kick, which was comfortably collected by Vidackovic.

The visitors came close in the 37th minute when a ball from the right found Ryles in front of goal. Moore’s rebound effort was saved by Prendergast, before Ryles’ follow-up was cleared by defender Gil Duffy in a crucial moment.

The Wanderers maintained their pressure after the break, going close from a corner in the 52nd minute, before Jack Fulton sent a strike toward goal in the 58th minute that Vidackovic gathered comfortably.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 82nd minute. Julian Cop won possession to spark the move before delivering a quality ball into substitute Johnny Pavlovic. While Pavlovic couldn’t get a clean shot away, Ryles reacted quickest to fire home with his left foot and give the Wanderers the lead.

UNSW were handed the perfect opportunity to respond almost immediately from a corner in the 84th minute. Nathan Roberts delivered into the area, where Lopes rose well to direct a composed header on target and level the scores.

The hosts nearly snatched the lead in the 89th minute from a free kick, with Vidackovic getting a touch but unable to hold on. The loose ball fell dangerously in front of goal, but UNSW were unable to convert, before substitute Tacettin Kumsuz forced another save from distance.

The sustained pressure finally paid off deep into stoppage time. In the 92nd minute, Harb received the ball from Kumsuz on the left before producing a moment of pure quality, curling a superb strike into the top corner to seal a dramatic comeback victory.

A stunning late turnaround capped a memorable night at The Village Green, as UNSW FC claimed all three points in style.

Match Stats

UNSW FC 2 (Lopes 85’, Harb 92’)

Western Sydney Wanderers FC 1 (Ryles 81’)

Sunday 18 April, 2026

The Village Green, Kensington

Referee: Harriet Gee

Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields & Daniel Cornofsky

Fourth Official: Kai Jopson

UNSW FC: 1. Tristan Prendergast, 4. Liam Wood, 6. Grant Lynch, 10. Nathan Roberts, 11. Jack Fulton (17. Jyden Harb 72’), 13. Sean Woods, 15. Corby Fowler (8. Tacettin Kumsuz 72’), 18. Conor Quilligan (9. Kevin Lopes 77’), 19. Oliver Puflett (16. Kai Kamikura 72’), 21. Alexander Malfara, 22. Gil Duffy

Substitutes Not Used: 3. Emilio Vinci, 7. Matias Da Silva Santos, 12. Cassius Flavell

Yellow Cards: Malfara 94’

Red Cards: Nil

Western Sydney Wanderers FC: 1. Tristan Vidackovic, 4. Ricky Fransen, 5. Jesse Cameron, 8. Julian Cop, 13. Noah Ovens, 16. Tristan Arrarte (19. Ewan Gasowski 77’), 17. Joshua Centinic, 20. Harper Ryles, 23. Oscar Moore, 26. Bradley Marszal, 27. Lachlan Sattout (10. Johnny Pavlovic 70’)

Substitutes Not Used: 3. Rocco Macnamara, 12. Lucas Sinnot, 18. Thomas Cutuk, 22. Lachlan Henderson, 25. Marko Radovancevic

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Alexander Malfara (UNSW)

2 – Tristan Prendergast (UNSW)

1 – Harper Ryles (WSW)