The NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers have made it four straight wins accounting for Melbourne Victory 1-0 at Pirtek Stadium on Saturday night.
The NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers have made it four straight wins accounting for Melbourne Victory 1-0 at Pirtek Stadium on Saturday night.
A Mark Bridge goal settled the contest which took place in torrential conditions throughout in front of 15,854 waterlogged, but very vocal fans.
The 82nd minute strike, Bridge-s first for this campaign after taking out the Clubs- Golden Boot last season, proved the difference in a tense affair.
The Wanderers sat back and absorbed Victory-s attempts in the early stages of the match, which played in celebration of White Ribbon Day; aimed at raising awareness about, and working to stop male violence against women.
With the Wanderers solid back four, the visitors were not able to take advantage of their possession on the score sheet and grab an opening goal.
As the half wore on the home side turned the tables and on the back of a greater amount of possession carved out several chances.
Brendon Santalab, fresh from inking a new two-year deal with the Club went closest to opening the scoring after 35 minutes.
Following some sustained pressure, a looping cross from Shannon Cole found Santalab in front of goal only to have the ball pushed away by Nathan Coe in the Victory goal.
Bridge nearly snatched the lead for the Wanderers in the dying stages of the opening term but his curling shot was stopped by a fingertip save from Coe leaving the game evenly poised 0-0 at half time.
The second half provided more tension with the conditions at times making flowing football difficult.
The Wanderers, without the services of injured striker Tomi Juric (knee) and Youssouf Hersi (foot) still managed to create opportunities as the half went on.
The breakthrough finally came just eight minutes from full time when Labinot Haliti, only brought into the game some ten minutes earlier by coach Tony Popovic, engineered the winner for Bridge.
A clever turn from Haliti shook him free of his defender and put him in space down the right hand side.
His sharp ball across the face of goal was met at the far post by Bridge who remained composed and drove the ball into the roof of the net.
After the game, Wanderers Coach Tony Popovic said he was extremely satisfied with the three points.
“I think all around it was a very good performance against a very good team,” Popovic said.
“It was an encounter we expected to be a difficult one against a good opponent.”
“Defensively we were solid against a very good team in attack. We always looked dangerous, we had some good opportunities and all around I thought it was a good display.
Popovic also said he was pleased with the way his team was continuing to develop.
“The patches were a little bit longer today in terms of the good play which is encouraging moving forward,” Popovic said.
“And we-ll keep working hard to get those periods even longer.”
Image Credit: George Suresh
