The Western Sydney Wanderers NPL 2 first grade team have suffered a tough 1-0 loss to St George FC in Round 13 of the competition.
The result at Wanderers Football Park ended their five-match unbeaten streak with a solitary goal shortly after half-time enough to consign them to defeat.
It was a frustrating night for Patrick Zwaanswijk’s side as they were well contained by St George.
Saints have endured a mixed season so far but had recovered from a poor start heading into this fixture.
For much of this campaign, Wanderers have been able to compensate for their lack of physicality via an up-tempo style of play but found it tough against Saints.
From the opening whistle, St George disrupted the home side’s rhythm, regularly intercepting passes and defending in numbers.
Despite gaining the upper hand, Saints were unable to convert their control into chances with goalkeepers at either end only being required for the occasional routine save.
Unfortunately for the Red & Black they couldn’t have started the second half worse with the visitors finally breaking the deadlock.
A turnover under pressure from Wanderers backline ended up at the feet of Saints forward Anthony Morabito and he made no mistake, firing the ball into the bottom left corner.
Then, on the 50-minute mark, Wanderers were gifted their best chance of the game. A cross was fired into the back post but Kosta Grozos could only direct his touch wide.
Reuben Awaritefe has been somewhat of a super-sub in recent weeks but even he found the going tough against a well-marshalled Saints defence.
Western Sydney threw everything at St George with time running out but try as they might they couldn’t breakthrough.
A difficult night for the Red & Black but they’ll have the chance to bounce back when they travel to face Northern Tigers next Saturday.
Western Sydney Wanderers 0
St George FC 1 (Morabito 47’)
Western Sydney Wanderers: 20. Jack WARSHAWSKY (GK), 12. Nectarios TRIANTIS, 4. Mohamed AL TAAY, 3. Philip CANCAR, 7. Jarrod CARLUCCIO, 23. Kosta GROZOS (24. Peter GROZOS) 21. Isaac HOVAR, 13. Aiden MOSTOFI (22. Dean PELEKANOS),14. Alessandro LOPANE (19. Bilal CHAHINE), 29. Alexander BADOLATO (10. Reuben AWARITEFE), 9. Ali AUGLAH
Unused subs: 36. Jack GIBSON (GK), 5. Lochlan MACDONALD
