The Western Sydney Wanderers have defied the odds defeating last season’s Grand Finalists Brisbane Roar 2-1 to claim the Club’s biggest victory in its three year history.
A goal to Hannah Beard against her former team followed by an own goal from a corner has seen the Red & Black pick up their first three point of the season, breaking a 37 year record in the process.
Not since the first year of the National Soccer League in 1977 has a top-flight side conceded ten goals in a match before going on to win next week. This last happened when Mooroolbark defeated West Adelaide 2-1 following their 10-3 loss against Adelaide City.
While last week was obviously not ideal, today’s win against a team stacked full of Australian internationals is testament to the young Wanderers’ resolve in what was largely an unchanged side.
Keelin Winters returning from the USA and Linda O’Neill back from suspension were the major inclusions and it was their influence and combination in the midfield that steadied the ship after a frenetic start to the match.
It was this midfield control that contributed to the opening goal of the match for the Wanderers as a swift counter-attack found its way to Beard who slotted home her first goal for her new club.
This goal spurred on the Wanderer who started to take control and while a second goal looked likely it was Brisbane who scored the equaliser in the shadows of half time when Tameka Butt put the ball in the net.
By this stage both goalkeepers had been crucial in keeping their respective sides in the match with Trudy Burke showing why she is so highly regarded in National Premier League circles and Nadine Angerer making save after save for Brisbane.
The second half began with Wanderers attempting to win back the ascendency they owned before the equaliser and this positive play was rewarded when, from a corner, Larissa Crummer put the ball into her own net.
The goal was a just reward for the Wanderers’ efforts and they would have gone further ahead, twice, if it wasn’t for the efforts of the world class Angerer.
Firstly, US import Kendall Johnson showed all of her class when she ran down the flank beating a number of would-be Brisbane defenders with ease before off-loading to Michelle Carney.
Following Carney’s first time flick with the outside of her boot, Johnson continued her run and shot with venom towards the near post only for the current FIFA World Player of the Year to make a stunning save to somehow keep the ball out of the net.
Angerer again came to the rescue when Carney found herself in on goal.
Brisbane pressed in the last five minutes of the match but it was too little too late as the Wanderers defence held firm to claim their maiden win for the season in a match that will be remembered for years.
The Western Sydney Wanderers return to Marconi Stadium this Sunday when they take on Newcastle Jets at 3pm.
Tickets are available to purchase online by clicking here.
Brisbane Roar 1 (Tameka Butt 45’)
Western Sydney Wanderers 2 (Hannah Beard 30’, Larissa Crummer o.g. 54’)
Sunday 12 October 2014
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Local kick-off: 1pm
Western Sydney Wanderers: Trudy Burke (gk), Caitlin Cooper, Jessica Seaman, Helen Petinos, Rachael Soutar, Kendall Johnson, Keelin Winters, Michelle Carney, Hannah Beard (Rhianna Pollicina 77’), Demi Koulizakis (Jordan Baker 46’ (Grace Henry 90’)), Linda O’Neill
Unused Substitutes: Sham Khamis (gk)
Referee: Casey Reibelt
