The Wanderers National Youth League side have today been defeated 2-0 by the Melbourne Heart at Cook Park, St Mary’s.
The Wanderers National Youth League side have today been defeated 2-0 by the Melbourne Heart at Cook Park, St Mary-s.
Goals in the 43rd and 58th minutes to the Heart gave them the victory.
Coach Trevor Morgan took a number of positives out of the match but will be looking for more from his young Wanderers.
“It was a couple of mistakes that cost us today,” Morgan said. “They played for possession and pushed forward where they can and two good pieces of play off the back of our errors gave them the win.
“It was good having a few of the A-League squad back but we need to use them more and give them some more chances. Tahj and Kwabena were making room down the flanks which was good to see.”
The NYL squad was boosted for their first fixture with the addition of Hyundai A-League squad members Jerrad Tyson in goals as well as Iacopo La Rocca, Shannon Cole and Tahj Minniecon. On top of this Kwabena Appiah-Kubi and Joey Gibbs are eligible to play in the Youth League so were added to the starting 11 by Coach Trevor Morgan.
The first half was played from end to end with the home side dominating possession. Both Minniecon and Appiah-Kubi continually looked dangerous as they switched playing both left and right pushing
forward and creating opportunities.
The deadlock was broken in the 43rd minute with the Heart scoring through striker Evangelos Batsis. Batsis received the ball from a beautifully timed chip and after one touch to control the ball the number nine rocketed the into the bottom left hand corner of the net.
Only one minute of additional time was added with the Heart heading to the rooms 1-nil in front.
As the teams came back for the second half Iacopo La Rocca was substituted off with Stepjan Paric coming on.
The 58th minute saw the Heart extend their lead through Captain Joshua Groenewald. Some messy defence by the Wanderers saw Groenewald intercept the ball and after smartly controlling the ball the captain cut back on the inside and struck the ball pushing it past Tyson to put the Heart up 2-nil.
As the official signalled the goal, Coach Morgan made a further two changes with Appiah-Kubi and Gibbs coming off and Daniel Barac and Nicholas Olsen coming on.
The final change was made for the Wanderers with goal keeper Tyson coming off replaced by Aaron Liddell.
With the Wanderers pressing forward there were a number of late chances but the comeback couldn-t happen with the Heart holding on for a 2-nil victory.
Wanderers line-up: J Tyson (GK), A Quinn, J Williams, J Green, S Cole, I La Rocca, K Appiah-Kubi, J McGing, J Gibbs, Y Perkatis ©, T Minniecon. Substitutes: D Barac, N Olsen, S Paric, Z Elrich, A Liddell (GK)
