The Wanderers Foxtel National Youth Team have secured Sydney Derby bragging rights for the second time this season after defeating Sydney FC 4-3 at Lambert Park on Monday night.
In a game where all seven goals were scored before the hour mark, it was a Tariq Maia strike in the 58th minute that handed the Wanderers the three points, catapulting the Red & Black to the top of the table.
The Sky Blues sprung into the lead early after a header from George Blackwood opened the scoring.
It didn’t take long then for the Wanderers to fight back with Henry Davies scoring the equaliser from a Wanderers free-kick.
Though like clockwork, Sydney jumped back in front after a volley from Charles Lokolingoy.
Tariq Maia, who was looking dangerous throughout the early stages of the game, was then recklessly taken down in the penalty area by Sydney’s George Timtheou.
Mario Shabow stepped up to take the penalty, easily slotting past former Wanderer Thomas Manos, sending the ball into the bottom left corner.
Soon after, the Wanderers would have another spot-kick as Sydney’s Riley Woodcock gave away another foul in the penalty area after a rough challenge.
Shabow stepped up once again for the Red & Black to convert the penalty.
The Wanderers continued to build momentum and could have had a third through Shabow but his shot was stopped at the last second by Manos’ foot.
Yet Sydney bounced back with Lokolingoy grabbing his second in the match to take the score to 3-3 heading into the break.
The second half began in the same frantic way as the first and the Wanderers would soon break the deadlock with Maia scoring what would prove to be the winning goal.
The Red & Black held on to secure their second Sydney Derby win of the season and now sit in first place in Conference B with two games remaining.
The Wanderers will now travel to Gosford to take on the Central Coast Mariners on Saturday 7 January.
