The Western Sydney Wanderers Foxtel Y-League campaign has gotten off to the best possible start after defeating Canberra United 1-0 at Deakin Stadium.
After a tense battle, the deadlock was finally broken in the 91st minute thanks to a penalty from John Roberts.
The Wanderers were on the attack from the opening whistle and in the second minute, Abraham Majok had two shots blocked by the defence in quick succession.
Majok was also involved in the Red & Black’s next chance, cleverly heading the ball down for Mark Tokich who sent a shot just wide of the goal.
The Wanderers controlled possession and Lachlan Scott tried a long-range effort before Roberts showed great skill to beat three opponents, with Canberra eventually scrambling the ball to safety.
At the other end, Wanderers goalkeeper Nicholas Suman was called into action, making a comfortable save from Lucas Mauragis.
The Red & Black’s dominance continued after the halftime break with Mathieu Cordier unlucky to see his powerful drive fly over the crossbar after deflecting off a teammate.
With just under 20 minutes left, Wanderers substitute Lochlan Constable found Cordier with a pinpoint free kick, but the header went wide of the goal.
Seconds later, Constable looked certain to score after the ball broke to him six yards out, but Canberra goalkeeper Finn Jurak somehow managed to make the save.
Tass Mourdoukoutas was required to make a vital tackle inside our own penalty area with ten minutes to play, however, the Red & Black still looked more likely to score.
Tate Russell picked out Oliver Puflett, who was blocked in the penalty area just as he was about to shoot before debutant Andrea Agamemnonos whipped in a dangerous cross from the right which somehow evaded two Wanderers players.
However, just as it looked like the match would end scoreless, Majok pounced on a defensive error, winning a penalty after being upended by Jurak.
Roberts kept his nerve, dispatching his spot-kick into the bottom corner to give the Wanderers the three points.
The win moves the Wanderers up to second place on the Foxtel Y-League Conference B table with one match in hand. The Red & Black will next play against Central Coast Mariners this Saturday at Marconi Stadium. Kick-off is at 4:30pm.
Canberra United 0
Western Sydney Wanderers 1 (John Roberts 91’)
Western Sydney Wanderers: Nicholas Suman (c), Tate Russell, Tass Mourdoukoutas, Noah Pagden, Mathieu Cordier, Fabian Monge (Daniel Wilmering 85’), Andrea Agamemnonos, Mark Tokich (Lochlan Constable 66’), John Roberts, Abraham Majok, Lachlan Scott (Oliver Puflett 66’)
Unused substitute: Jack Greenwood
