Read the recap on how our Youth teams went against Sydney Olympic in the National Premier League Youth competition.
Read the recap on how our Youth teams went against Sydney Olympic in the National Premier League Youth competition.
U13s
5-1 win
The Wanderers started the game positively and it didn’t take long for Antonio Arena to play a well-weighted flighted pass into the run of Kaedan Main who slotted in on the volley from the back post. The early goal settled the squad and they ran with the early momentum scoring another three times through Joey Banza with some very composed finishing. Establishing a significant early lead, it became important to see the game out whilst continuing to threaten and not sit back waiting for the opposition, however, the Red & Black conceded from a corner with some poor marking before heading into half-time. The Wanderers created further chances in the second half and increased the lead through Arena who this time went from provider to scorer with a well-taken effort. Strong performances in attack today from Kaedan Main, Joey Banza and Antonio Arena, whilst in defence, Zac Mascolo and Jake Briggs displayed composure, good distribution and a dominant presence on the pitch.
U14s
0-0 draw
The U14s clash against Olympic started unexpectedly with the side’s plans changing in the second minute of the match after a red card given against the Wanderers. From then on the players showed great character and mentality to fight for the entire match, defending very well, organising themselves accordingly and matching the opponent physically. The Red & Black limited Olympic to a few chances and had some great opportunities to win the match a man down, but it wasn’t meant to be. The match finished up with a well-earned draw.
U15s
2-1 win
After two long seasons, the Wanderers U15s side finally defeated the Champions of the last two seasons of the National Premier League Youth competition. After conceding an early goal after getting caught out from the back, the Wanderers didn’t put their heads down and pressed hard for a result. After a goal for the Wanderers was disallowed and a penalty wasn’t awarded, the Wanderers managed to get a goal and headed into the break 1-1. The Wanderers came out firing after the break and were awarded a penalty after a handball in the box quickly making it 2-1. The Red & Black held on for the rewarding result.
U16s
The U16s started the match brightly, gaining early control against a very physical Sydney Olympic side. Western Sydney got the rewards midway through the first half through Miguel Dipizo. The second half was a bit more transitional but the Wanderers showed great control and professionalism to see out the win.
U18s
The Wanderers U18s match was quite the spectacle. A high tempo start from the opposition had the Wanderers on the back foot almost immediately as they scored in the 5th, 6th and 15th minute of the match to go up 0-3. The Wanderers hit back almost immediately as Jesse Photi and Edmun Haddad missed good opportunities one on one with the goalkeeper all before a quarter of the match had been played. With the team starting to gain a footing in the match, they started to create more opportunities and eventually got one back with the last kick of the first half through Edmun Haddad from outside the box.
The team started the second half well creating chance after chance and with 25 minutes remaining, Dean Bosnjak was able to slide Thomas Lopez through for the second goal and bring the game back within touching distance. 10 minutes later, after some good build up play, Miguel Di Pizio pulled off an outrageous assist for Frans Deli who was able to level the scores. With three minutes remaining the team now on the front foot and the most likely to come away with the winner managed to free up Thomas Lopez out wide who turned creator this time picking out Jesse Photi who this time was able to get it past the goalkeeper to complete the comeback going 4-3 up. Unfortunately, in the dying seconds, the opponents won a corner and were able to capitalise, leveling the score again at 4-4. Outstanding resilience from the group to come back and doing so with three 15-year-olds on the field.
