The Western Sydney Wanderers have suffered defeat in their opening game of the NSW NPL 2 season against North Shore Mariners on Sunday night at Sydney United Sports Centre.
The Western Sydney Wanderers have suffered defeat in their opening game of the NSW NPL 2 season against North Shore Mariners on Sunday night at Sydney United Sports Centre.
A double from Abraham Majok, as well as an early strike from Lachlan Scott, saw the Wanderers take a 3-1 lead in the second half. However, North Shore recovered and eventually secured all three points after an 83rd-minute winner from Marquin Smith.
North Shore had the first shot of the game with Wanderers goalkeeper Daniel Axford making a comfortable save.
Scott put the Red & Black in front in the 13th minute, slamming the ball home after getting on the end of a cross from John Roberts.
North Shore had their chances in the first half, as a couple of efforts from Mariners left back Chris Lindsay went wide of the target while Axford made another good save from a shot by Daniel Saric.
Just after the half hour mark, Majok doubled the Wanderers lead with a smart finish, with John Roberts once again providing the assist.
The Mariners then pulled a goal back just before halftime with Lee Jones finding the net with a free kick.
The Red & Black came out for the second half all guns blazing and resorted their two-goal cushion in the 49th minute.
Some excellent defensive work from Scott helped Majok take the ball and calmly finish past the goalkeeper for this second of the game.
North Shore responded with Axford called into action to make an excellent save to deny Smith.
Unfortunately, North Shore made it 3-2 from the resulting corner after James Scott scored from close range.
The men from the North Shore then struck again a minute later to level the scores after Smith beat Axford from the edge of the penalty area.
With just under 15 minutes left, Mohamed Al Taay did brilliantly to beat a defender on the right wing and pick out Majok, who was inches away from grabbing a hat-trick.
Wanderers substitute Marc Tokich then went even closer a few minutes later as his shot hit the cross bar, but it would be the Mariners who prevailed in the end.
Seven minutes from full time, Smith grabbed the winner after a scramble in the Wanderers penalty area.
The Wanderers NPL 2 first grade team will now switch their focus to Sunday’s match where they will take on St George FC in their first home game of the season at Sydney United Sports Centre.
North Shore Mariners 4 (Lee Jones 41’ James Scott 53’ Marquin Smith 54’ 83’)
Western Sydney Wanderers 3 (Lachlan Scott 13’ Abraham Majok 33’ 49’)
Western Sydney Wanderers: Daniel Axford, Mohamed Al Taay, Jordon Hall, Mathieu Cordier, Daniel Wilmering, Fabian Monge (Oliver Puflett 86’), Kosta Grozos, Tacettin Kumsuz (Mark Tokich 55’), John Roberts (Samuel Silvera 66’), Abraham Majok, Lachlan Scott
Unused substitutes: Elliot Carwardine, Abdelrahman Kuku
Other results:
U20s: WSW 8-0 North Shore
U18s: WSW 4-0 North Shore
