St George City down Wanderers
St George City claimed a 1-0 victory over the Western Sydney Wanderers at Penshurst Park on Saturday evening.
The result marked their first win of the season in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition, secured by a single first-half goal.
Yohn Pedersen’s penalty conversion in the 45th minute handed St George City the advantage just before the half-time break.
That solitary strike proved enough, sealing a valuable three points early in the 2026 campaign.
The hosts tried their luck early as Tarik Ercan sent a shot towards the target in the 4th minute, however Tristan Vidackovic comfortably saved the effort with a dive.
The hosts set the tone early as Tarik Ercan fired a shot towards the target in the 4th minute, however Tristan Vidackovic reacted well to comfortably save with a diving stop.
A corner kick in the 11th minute brought another opportunity for St George City, though the effort found the side netting.
Western Sydney Wanderers attacker Jai Rose surged forward with intent in the 21st minute, but the move broke down on the right flank under strong defensive pressure.
St George City launched a swift counter attack in the 32nd minute, however Hiroto Dohmoto was unable to break through the Wanderers defence to release a shot.
Western Sydney earned a corner in the 35th minute through Awan Lual’s attacking persistence, but Jai Rose’s delivery failed to connect with a teammate.
Solomon-Johnn Monahan-Vaiika played a promising ball to Dohmoto in the 39th minute.
The defender pressed forward into space to receive the return ball but could not steer his close-range effort on target.
The Wanderers looked to answer soon after as Rose set up Lual, though the attempt was blocked by the St George City defence.
The hosts created another opening in the 42nd minute through Dohmoto, however his effort skimmed across the face of goal and rolled wide.
Sustained pressure from St George City finally paid off just before half-time.
The hosts were awarded a penalty in the 45th minute after Paolo Mitry was brought down inside the area.
Pedersen stepped up and calmly sent Vidackovic diving to the right while guiding the ball into the bottom left corner.
The Wanderers produced a strong chance in the 51st minute as pressure forced a misstep from goalkeeper Jack Kenny, but Jai Rose was unable to take advantage.
The visitors crafted another promising opportunity in the 55th minute.
Alaat Abdul-Rahman delivered a long ball to Lual, who passed it on to Oscar Moore.
Moore then found Harper Ryles, but a lacklustre touch allowed Kenny to collect safely.
St George City applied further pressure in the 59th minute, but Noah Ovens was able to deflect the danger inside the area.
St George City took their foot off the pedal in the later stages of the match as they focused on protecting their one-goal lead.
Western Sydney’s Oscar Morrison forced a sharp save from Kenny in the 91st minute as the Wanderers pushed for a late equaliser.
The youthful Western Sydney side continued to press until the final whistle but were unable to break through, with the match finishing 1-0 to the hosts.
Match Stats
St George City FC 1 (Pedersen 45+1’)
Western Sydney Wanderers FC 0
Saturday 28 February, 2026
Penshurst Park
Referee: Kelly Jones
Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields and Lachlan Brownscombe
Fourth Official: Nicholas Farmer
St George City FC: 1. Jack Kenny, 2. Matthew Wahby (8. Stefano Rossello 74’), 3. Benjamin Berry, 4. Solomon-Johnn Monahan-Vaiika, 5. Lewis Miccio, 6. Tarik Ercan (19. Roman Culina 82’), 10. Paolo Mitry (11. Jesse Photi 74’), 16. Yohn Pedersen (30. Ahmad Taleb 82’), 17. Mason Tatafu, 23. Hiroto Dohmoto, 27. Matthew Jackson (44. Hugo Mcateer 82’)
Substitutes Not Used: 7. Oscar Gultekin, 13. Franklin Jan
Yellow Cards: Ercan 44’
Red Cards: None
Western Sydney Wanderers FC: 1. Tristan Vidackovic, 2. Nathan Barrie, 6. Oscar Morrison, 7. Alaat Abdul-Rahman, 9. Awan Lual, 10. Jai Rose, 13. Noah Ovens, 20. Harper Ryles (14. Kade Baccus 57’), 21. Rocco Macnamara (3. Ben Mewett 79’), 23. Oscar Moore (27. Lachlan Sattout 74’) , 26. Bradley Marszal
Substitutes Not Used: 4. Ricky Fransen, 5. Jesse Cameron, 15. Joshua Centinic, 35. Lachlan Allen
Yellow Cards: Macnamara 12’, Barrie 45’
Red Cards: None
Player Ratings
3 – Solomon-John Monahan-Vaiika (STGC)
2 – Hiroto Dohmoto (STGC)
1 – Tristan Vidackovic (WSW)
-By Madeline Millgate
