The Western Sydney Wanderers have gone down 3-2 to Bankstown City at Sydney United Sports Centre on Saturday night.
Bankstown City snatched the win thanks to a double from Huseyin Jasli and a goal from Mato Lucic while Matthew Lecce and Emmanuel Gonzalez scored for the Wanderers.
Things got off to a tough start for the Red & Black as Jasli scored from long range in the opening minute of the game.
The Wanderers recovered well though and started to take control of the game. Lachlan Campbell was denied by a good save from Bankstown City keeper Dion Shaw while Emmanuel Gonzalez also had a couple of efforts on goal.
In the first half’s stoppage time there was action at both ends.
Wanderers left back Mathieu Cordier almost got a fortunate equaliser, but his deflected cross was tipped away by Shaw before Wanderers keeper Daniel Axford was called into action to save a long distance strike from Lucic.
The Red & Black came out guns blazing in the second half kick-off and were level almost immediately with Matthew Lecce getting the equaliser after pouncing on a loose ball in the penalty area.
Just after the hour mark, the Wanderers were ahead for the first time in the contest. Tate Russell intercepted a pass before surging forward and playing a perfect through ball for Gonzalez who slotted the ball home for his fifth goal of the season.
However, Bankstown City responded and got an equaliser ten minutes later, with Mato Lucic making it 2-2 with a shot from the edge of the box.
It was end to end stuff in the closing stages as both teams pushed for a winner. With seven minutes left Lecce almost got his second goal of the night after being played in behind the defence but Dion Shaw was able to make the save.
Then in stoppage time, the Wanderers were dealt a cruel blow as Jasli netted the winner for Bankstown City after a counter attack.
The loss, combined with results elsewhere, sees the Wanderers fall to fifth in the NPL 2 table and we are now eight points behind leaders Marconi Stallions.
The Wanderers remain second in the NPL 2 club championship thanks to a win in U20s and a draw in U18s.
Next weekend, the Wanderers will take on Spirit FC at Valentine Sports Park on Saturday 17 July.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2 (Matthew Lecce 46’ Emmanuel Gonzalez 63’)
Bankstown City 3 (Huseyin Jasli 1’ 90+1’ Mato Lucic 73’)
Western Sydney Wanderers: Daniel Axford, Tate Russell, Lachlan Campbell, Noah Pagden, Mathieu Cordier, Joshua Bartolotto (Lochlan Constable 46’), Charles Abou Serhal, Matthew Lecce, Oliver Puflett, Kyle Cimenti (Samuel Silvera 67’), Emmanuel Gonzalez (Mohamed Najjar 89’)
Unused subs: Mackenzie Syron, Blake Currey
Other results:
U20s: WSW 1-0 Bankstown City
U18s: WSW 0-0 Bankstown City
U16s: WSW 0-1 Bankstown Berries
U15s: WSW 3-0 Bankstown Berries
U14s: WSW 3-0 Bankstown Berries
U13s: WSW 4-0 Bankstown Berries
