Wanderers and Blacktown City trade blows in end-to-end 3–3 stalemate
The Western Sydney Wanderers and Blacktown City played out a frantic 3–3 draw in Round 15 of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition, in a match defined by momentum swings, attacking intent and late drama.
The Wanderers saw a two-goal lead wiped out before fighting back themselves, with both sides ultimately forced to settle for a point.
It was a strong start for the home side, who were searching for their first home win in over 90 days. Jai Rose had a few early chances but did not seriously trouble Cayden Henderson in goal. However, on his third attempt, Rose broke the deadlock for the Wanderers, finishing a well-worked move involving Atiya Waraga and Awan Lual.
Lual doubled the advantage just 11 minutes later. Julian Cop played a precise ball through the heart of the Blacktown midfield, allowing Lual to race through and calmly finish a 1v1 opportunity, taking his season tally to nine and extending the Wanderers’ lead to 2–0.
The Wanderers held the momentum, but Blacktown City responded on the counter through captain Travis Major, who pounced on a rebound to pull his side back into the contest with just over five minutes remaining in the half.
The response was immediate. From the restart, Blacktown went forward again and this time Mitchell Mallia converted after another rebound, turning the game on its head in the space of a minute and sending both sides into half-time locked at 2–2.
After the break, both teams started brightly, with Blacktown City—looking for their first away win since Round 1—finding the next breakthrough. Major struck again, this time from the penalty spot after being brought down by Julian Cop. His powerful finish beat Tristan Vidakovic, who guessed correctly but could not keep it out, giving Blacktown a 3–2 lead.
Both sides continued to push for the next crucial goal. The Wanderers, aided by a series of substitutions, regained control and eventually drew level with 15 minutes remaining from a corner. Substitute Oscar Moore reacted quickest in a crowded six-yard box to scramble home and restore parity at 3–3.
In the closing stages, both teams had chances to win it in a frantic finish, but neither could find a decisive moment, and the points were ultimately shared.
Next for the Wanderers is a trip to Rockdale Ilinden on Sunday, where they will look to overturn a 2–0 defeat from the opening round of the season.
Blacktown City return to Landen Stadium for a crucial six-pointer against bottom-placed Sydney Olympic. City won the reverse fixture in Round 1, and a victory next week would be a major step toward securing their place in the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition for next season, after spending much of the first half of the campaign in the relegation zone.
Match Stats
Western Sydney Wanderers 3 (Jai Rose 23’, Awan Lual 34’, Oscar Moore 75’)
Blacktown City 3 (Travis Major 39’,67’, Mitchell Mallia 40’ )
Saturday 16th May, 2026
Wanderers Football Park
Referee: Bayley Pennuto
Assistant Referees: Josh Berry and Alessandro Llana
Fourth Official: Joshua Kermond
Western Sydney Wanderers: 1. Tristan Vidakovic, 4. Ricky Fransen, 5. Jesse Cameron, 6. Oscar Morrison, 8. Julian Cop, 9. Awan Lual, 10. Jai Rose, 11. Atiya Waraga (16. Tristan Arrate72’), 17. Joshua Cetinic (23. Oscar Moore 61’), 26. Bradley Marszal, 27. Lachlan Sattout (7. Alaat Abdul-Rahman 61’)
Substitutes Not Used: 12. Lucas Sinnott, 21. Rocco Macnamara, 22. Lachlan Henderson, 25. Marco Radovancevic
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Blacktown City: 1. Cayden Henderson, 3. Lachlan Tilt, 4. Nicholas O’Brien, 6. Adam Berry (15. Caleb Jackson-Brown 73’), 7. Travis Major, 9. Nikola Skataric (8. Jak O’Brien 86’), 10. Maksim Jez , 11. Kodai Tanaka, 14. Mitchell Mallia (19. Sebastian Hayward 45’), 23. Jett Long (22. Jacob Maniti 68’), 27. Nathan Grimaldi
Substitutes Not Used: 16. Riley Nolan, 20. Cooper Rogers, 21. Aiden Renshaw
Yellow Cards: Jett Long 62’, Maksim Jez 80’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 – Travis Major (BCT)
2 – Tristan Vidakovic (WSW)
1 – Jai Rose (WSW)
