The Western Sydney Wanderers NPL 2 team have extended their unbeaten run to ten games on Saturday night, courtesy of a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Northern Tigers at North Turramurra Recreation Area.
After falling behind in the first half when Tigers forward Shervin Adeli found the net, Marley Peterson’s 85th minute equaliser rescued a point for the Red & Black.
The Wanderers started the contest well. Andrea Agamemnonos showed good skill to beat a defender and set up Peterson, but his shot was pushed away by Tigers goalkeeper Liiband.
The Red & Black went even closer soon afterward with Mohamed Adam’s long-range effort rebounding off the crossbar.
Wanderers goalkeeper Jack Greenwood was then called into action twice, first parrying a Joshua Swadling free-kick before saving a curling shot from Alexander Brown.
In the 38th minute, Liiband saved a volley from Agamemnonos and Jarrod Carluccio put the rebound away, only for the flag to go up for offside.
The pain was compounded a few minutes later when the Tigers took the lead with Adeli scoring from a free kick.
The Wanderers responded immediately and Daniel Wilmering sent a 35-yard drive whistling just past the post.
Despite being behind, the Red & Black continued putting pressure on the Tigers defence.
Peterson did well to find Adam in space early in the second half but his shot flew over the crossbar.
Agamemnonos was then unlucky to see a 30-yard volley go just wide while there was a close call at the other end when Tigers winger Oliver Wiggin smacked a shot against the crossbar.
Wanderers substitute Rory Jordan almost had an immediate impact with 15 minutes remaining, floating a lovely pass through to Peterson, however, the shot was blocked by the defence.
Jordan then had a great chance in the 84th minute after a clever ball from Adrian Valenti, but he could only fire straight at Liiband.
The pressure would finally pay off a minute later when Peterson outjumped two defenders to head the ball into the bottom corner for the equaliser.
Not only did Peterson’s late goal keep the Wanderers at the top of the NPL 2 competition, one point ahead of North Shore Mariners, but it also ensured another weekend where the Wanderers Academy were undefeated in all seven games.
The Red & Black return to Sydney United Sports Centre for their next match on Saturday night against Mounties. Kick-off is at 7:00pm.
Northern Tigers 1 (Shervin Adeli 41’)
Western Sydney Wanderers 1 (Marley Peterson 85’)
Western Sydney Wanderers: Jack Greenwood, Lochlan Constable, Noah Pagden, Daniel Wilmering, Adrian Valenti, Andrea Agamemnonos (c), Fabian Monge, Marley Peterson, Jarrod Carluccio (Rory Jordan 72’), Jacob Vasiliou (Jake Trew 62’), Mohamed Adam
Unused substitutes: Elliot Carwardine, Thomas McPherson, Bailey Rule
Other results:
U20: Northern Tigers 2-2 WSW
U18: Northern Tigers 1-1 WSW
U16: WSW 3-3 Wollongong
U15: WSW 4-0 Wollongong
U14: WSW 1-0 Wollongong
U13: WSW 4-1 Wollongong
