The Western Sydney Wanderers have moved to fourth position on the NPL 2 ladder after a heart-stopping 2-1 victory over St George FC.
Lachlan Campbell’s 92nd minute winner secured a vital win for the Red & Black who looked set to draw the game after St George equalised with 14 minutes of normal time remaining.
The Wanderers got off to a good start with forward Kyle Cimenti having two chances in the opening 10 minutes.
Emmanuel Gonzalez and Tariq Maia also had chances early on but neither player was able to find the back of the net.
Just after the half hour mark, the Wanderers took a deserved lead. Cimenti found Gonzalez in space on the left flank and his teasing cross to Oliver Puflett was deflected into the goal.
The Wanderers were dominating the first half and had further chances through Mathieu Cordier and Puflett, while Maia’s 25-yard free kick was saved.
The start of the second half saw St George put the Wanderers defence under pressure with Mackenzie Syron making some fantastic saves.
The score between the two sides became level from a St George corner. Syron once again pulled off a reflex save, and then managed to get to Daniel Mitwall’s follow-up header, but the ball had already crossed the line.
Substitute Brandon Stojcevski went on a good run down the right flank and found Matthew Lecce in space who was unlucky not to score.
The Wanderers would have the final say in the second minute of stoppage time securing a heart-stopping victory.
Gonzalez whipped in a beautiful free kick with Campbell managing to break through the defence to head home the winner.
Campbell’s late winner sealed the perfect day for the Red & Black who also won their matches in the U18s and U20s.
Next Saturday, the Wanderers travel north to Pluim Park for another crucial clash against Central Coast Mariners. Kick-off is at 5pm.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2 (Own goal 31’ Lachlan Campbell 92’)
St George FC 1 (Daniel Mitwali 76’)
Western Sydney Wanderers: Mackenzie Syron, Tate Russell, Jordan Hall, Lachlan Campbell, Mathieu Cordier, Joshua Bartolotto, Tariq Maia, Matthew Lecce, Oliver Puflett (Brandon Stojcevski 76’), Kyle Cimenti, Emmanuel Gonzalez
Unused subs: Daniel Axford, Abdelrahman Kuku, Malcolm Ward, Brandon Robertson
Other results:
U20s: WSW 8-0 St George FC
U18s: WSW 2-0 St George FC
U16s: WSW 0-0 Sutherland Sharks
U15s: WSW 7-0 Sutherland Sharks
U14s: WSW 1-5 Sutherland Sharks
U13s: WSW 1-3 Sutherland Sharks
