The Western Sydney Wanderers NPL 2 first grade team have fallen 4-2 to St George FC at Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon.
A double from Wanderers midfielder Kosta Grozos was not enough on the day, as St George striker Juan Carlos Romero netted a hat trick, while his fellow Spaniard Raul Romero also got on the scoresheet.
The Red & Black fell behind in the seventh minute after Juan Carlos Romero’s shot took a massive deflection, leaving Nicholas Suman helpless in the Wanderers goal.
However, the Wanderers hit back straight away with a flowing move from Lachlan Scott who played the ball to Grozos who fired into the top corner to level the scores.
It was end-to-end action and St George retook the lead after a counter-attack with Raul Romero finding the back of the net.
Scott then exchanged passes on the edge of the penalty area with Mark Tokich, who was denied by a last-ditch tackle.
Tokich had another effort late in the first half which was tipped wide by St George goalkeeper Anthony Costa, while a shot from John Roberts was blocked by the defence.
The Wanderers fell further behind early in the second half, as Juan Carlos Romero scored from close range to make it 3-1.
St George then extended their lead, as Juan Carlos Romero completed his hat-trick after a scramble in the penalty area.
Grozos then forced a couple of saves with Anthony Costa and also set up a chance for Tass Mourdoukoutas who was unlucky to see his header go wide.
However, Grozos wouldn’t be denied with under 15 minutes left, as his free kick from the left wing beat the entire St George defence and floated into the back of the net.
Incredibly, with a few minutes left Grozos almost completed his hat-trick with a shot from the halfway line, but unfortunately, the ball dropped inches wide of the goal.
There were also chances for Tokich and Abraham Majok, as well as a spectacular bicycle-kick attempt from substitute Mohamed Adam, but it was not to be the Wanderers day.
The loss capped off a mixed day for the Wanderers Academy, who won in the U20s and had a draw in the U18s.
Next Saturday, the Wanderers will face Hills United at Lilys Football Centre in Seven Kills. Kick-off is at 7:00pm.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2 (Kosta Grozos 10’ 76’)
St George FC 4 (Juan Carlos Romero 7’ 46’ 55’, Raul Beneit Romero 17’)
Western Sydney Wanderers: Nicholas Suman, Mohamed Al Taay, Tass Mourdoukoutas, Jordon Hall, Daniel Wilmering, Fabian Monge (Abdelrahman Kuku 62’), Kosta Grozos (c), Mark Tokich, John Roberts (Oliver Puflett 83’), Abraham Majok, Lachlan Scott (Mohamed Adam 62’)
Unused substitutes: Elliot Carwardine, Tacettin Kumsuz
Other results:
U20s: WSW 4-0 St George
U18s: WSW 2-2 St George
U16s: WSW 3-1 Blacktown City
U15s: WSW 6-0 Blacktown City
U14s: WSW 3-0 Blacktown City
U13s: WSW 1-2 Blacktown City
