On Saturday afternoon, the Wanderers Academy U18 and U20 sides will be aiming to qualify for their respective Grand Finals at Valentine Sports Park.
The Academy’s U18 side have been exceptional in 2019, recording 20 victories out of 26 matches and have won the Premiership by nine points.
The squad will face St George FC and will head into the match with plenty of confidence after 7-1 and 4-1 victories over St George during the regular season.
The U18s have had the stingiest defence in the league and Dylan Craus has been a big reason for their impressive record.
Craus was part of the U13s squad only three years and has progressed rapidly to be part of the U18 squad, playing in every match so far. Coincidentally, the central defender played his junior football for St George FC before joining the Wanderers Academy.
Following the U18s match, the U20s will be in action against Rydalmere Lions.
The U20s had a dramatic end to the regular season, defeating Mounties 4-3 and overtaking Central Coast Mariners on the final day to win the Premiership.
After 1-0 and 4-3 wins over the Lions earlier in the year, the game is expected to be a close contest.
This year’s U20 campaign has seen Ashton Ahluwalia impress in a number of different positions. Equally comfortable at right back, left back or central midfield, Ahluwalia signed for the Red & Black in 2017.
A former Football NSW and Blacktown Spartans junior, Ahluwalia has been a standout for the U20s playing in all but two matches.
NPL 2 NSW Men’s U18 Semi Final
Western Sydney Wanderers v St George FC
Saturday 7 September, 2:15pm
Valentine Sports Park No. 2, Glenwood
NPL 2 NSW Men’s U20 Semi Final
Western Sydney Wanderers v Rydalmere Lions
Saturday 7 September, 4:30pm
Valentine Sports Park No. 2, Glenwood
