The Western Sydney Wanderers drew 1-1 with Bankstown Berries over the weekend in a thrilling match that now sees the Red & Black move up to fourth on the NPL 2 table.
The Western Sydney Wanderers drew 1-1 with Bankstown Berries over the weekend in a thrilling match that now sees the Red & Black move up to fourth on the NPL 2 table.
The Wanderers equalised in the 93rd minute thanks to Kylie Cimenti, cancelling out Daniel Fornito’s opener for the Berries.
Emmanuel Gonzalez had the first chance for the Red & Black after getting on the end of a mid-timed clearance forcing a save from Berries keeper John Dimitrakas.
The Red & Black had started brightly and well-worked short corner routine from Tariq Maia and Charles Abou Serhal set up a chance for Matthew Lecce.
Around the half-hour mark, the Berries took the lead against the run of play.
Daniel Fornito scored from inside the penalty area after getting on the end of a pass from Berries player/coach Perry Moustakas.
The Wanderers almost responded after Gonzalez went on a fantastic run from inside his own half but his through ball to Kyle Cimenti was slightly overhit.
As the game went on the Berries began to sit deeper with the Red & Black having the majority of possession.
Lecce was heavily involved in the second half making a number of good runs and troubling the Berries defenders.
After winning a free kick on the right flank, Gonzalez had the chance to pick out of a teammate but his ball into the box flew just over the heads of his fellow Wanderers.
Cimenti’s 8th goal of the season ensured an undefeated day for the Red & Black, who also won in the U18s and U20s.
On Thursday, the Wanderers have the chance to move up to third place when they play a catch-up game against Central Coast Mariners at Pluim Park. Kickoff is at 1pm.
Bankstown Berries 1 (Daniel Fornito 37’)
Western Sydney Wanderers 1 (Kyle Cimenti 93’)
Western Sydney Wanderers: Mackenzie Syron, Tate Russell, Jordan Hall, Mathieu Cordier, Thomas Aquilina 57’, Charles Abou Serhal (Lochlan Constable 79’), Tariq Maia, Matthew Lecce, Oliver Puflett (Joshua Bartolotto 63’), Emmanuel Gonzalez, Kyle Cimenti
Unused substitutes: Daniel Axford, Abelrahman Kuku, Brandon Stojcevski
Other results:
U20s: Berries 0-5 WSW
U18s: Berries 2-5 WSW
U16s: WSW 5-0 Spirit FC
U15s: WSW 2-1 Spirit FC
U14s: WSW 5-0 Spirit FC
U13s: postponed to Thursday 24 August, 6:15pm, at ELS Hall Park
