Wanderers NPL vs Spirit FC 27/08/2023 3:00PM

Team line-ups:

Wanderers: 1. Jack Gibson, 2. Anthony Pantazopoulos, 4. Teng Kuol, 10. Alex Badolato, 16. Thomas Lopez, 21. Adam Bugarija, 22. Jesse Cameron, 23. Mason Fernandez, 25. Ryley Hollingdale, 29. Edmun, 34. Ryan Devine

Subs: 3. Joshua Hong, 6. Kade Baccus, 9. Awan Lual, 20. William Loucas, 27. Farah Koko, 28. Nathan Barrie. 

Spirit: 1. Chris Marques, 2. Anthony Younis, 3. Musashi Kokubo, 4. Kota Odakura, 6. Corey Kavanagh, 11. Ollie Wiggin, 13. Simon Nicholas 17. Matthew Cahill, 19.Daniel Mitwali, 20. Jared Lum 21. Luis Lobo

*Subs: 10. Peter Kekeris, 12. Jacob Madden, 15. Paul Katsetis, 16. Kyle Shaw, 26. Maisam Awaz 

*Spirit appear to be one short on the bench, will update when I can. 

Ryan Devine will make his NPL squad debut today who's been playing as a centre back in the Under 20's squad all season. We could see Kade Baccus (relation to Keanu and Kearyn) make his debut who's playing as a midfielder in the Under 15 and Under squad with a sporadic appearance in the Under 20's squad. Awam Lual is another that could make his debut who I believe is a defender.

3' - GOAL 

Edmun Haddad gets the ball and does cross back into the middle of the penalty box which sees Spirit not clearing the ball. The ball goes to Alex Badolato who slot is into the back of the net to give the Wanderers the early lead.

WSW 1 - NWS 0

Whoever is doing the camera work for NPL.TV is awful, they are aiming too low.

13' - Corner

Spirit won a corner which sees a Spirit player with the header but it's easily going into the hands of Jack Gibson.

23 - Chance

Spirit did an error in our own half which sees the Wanderers get the ball. Edmun Haddad tried an attempt at goal which see a deflecting off a Spirit player. The ball pops up in the air but Chris Marques doesn't have any issues to obtain the ball.

25 - SCREAMS FOR A PENALTY KICK

A Wanderers player is brought down in the box after a shoulder charge but the ref waves it off saying no foul. Big call.

29 - Chance

An error from Corey Kavanagh sees Adam Bugarija get possession of the ball in Spirit's own half of the ball. Bugarija tries a quick attempt at goal but it's denied by Chris Marques.

32 - OFFSIDE

A cross sees Anthony Pantazopoulos tap the ball into the back of the net. However the ref has ruled him offside. 

Score remains WSW 1 - NWS 0

34 - GOAL! 

Adam Bugarija does a beautiful timed pass to Thomas Lopez which sees him onside and beat Spirit's defence line-up. Lopez kicks the ball which edges pass Chris Marques and gives the Wanderers their second for the day.

WSW 2 - NWS 0

36 - CHANCE

The Wanderers are coming out to slaughter as Adam Bugarija tries a solo attempt, weaving through Spirit players, kicks the ball towards goal but Chris Marques dives and saves his attempt.

37 - CHANCE

Anthony Pantazopoulos tries an attempt from roughly 35 yards out from the goal. But, its swings wide.

41 - CLOSE

NWS Spirit get a corner kick which sees Matthew Cahill get a header on the ball. His header is denied by the crossbar. The ball bounces downwards and then up which sees Jack Gibson grab the ball to deny Spirit to get anymore chances.

HT: WSW 2 - NWS 0

@MathyouWSW - thanks for posting about the WSW NPL team for this season 

5 minutes ago, pseudonym said:

@MathyouWSW - thanks for posting about the WSW NPL team for this season 

Thanks @pseudonym! I enjoy it heaps.

I get a kick out of watching these young ones getting developed to potentially be in the senior squad and then hopefully make a name for themselves overseas. It's happened to Keanu Baccus, Phillip Cancar and Calem Nieuwenhof. 

There's a few from this squad that could potentially be a breakout star in the future.

KICK-OFF! 

Christiansen has made three changes Joshua Hong is on replacing Teng Kuol. Awan Lual is also on with Kade Baccus as both make their debut (I'm not sure who they have replaced, will keep it posted).

51' - CORNER

Awan Lual makes an impressive impact on the field as Spirit tried to clear the ball, Lual denies that and sprints towards Marques to try and score. Lual does a cross for Mason Fernandez but Daniel Mitwali denies Lual's cross for a corner.

54' - Goal 

NWS Spirit pull one back, a pass to the right side of the field goes to Anthony Younis. Younis beats Ryan Devine and takes an attempt at a very awkward angle. Younis attempt sees the ball hit the cross bar and then bounces down into the back of the net.

WSW 2 - NWS 1

56' - GOAL!

WHERE HAS THIS LUAL KID BEEN?! He dribbles around the Spirit defence like a pro. He gets a pass back to Mason Fernandez which Fernandez sees Thomas Lopez open on the left side of the field. Lopez dribbles pass two Spirit defenders takes an attempt at goal and it's a beautiful shot to extend the Wanderers lead. Brilliant display of football!

WSW 3 - NWS 1

62' - BLOODY REF!

Lopez tries to get a pass but the ref is in the way and the ball hits the ref. He stops play and does a drop ball.

64' - Goal

NWS Spirit edge one back. as Wiggin cross the ball to Paul Katsetis. It seems the ball came off a Wanderers player but Katsetis gets a foot on the ball which gets Gibson's footing off balance and making it easy for Katsetis to score.

WSW 3 - NWS 2.

67' - Chance

The Wanderers have gone to sleep mode as Luiz Lobo gets an attempt just inches outside the penalty box area and it sails over the cross bar.

74' - Equaliser

Corey Kavenagh gets a big long cross into the penalty box which sees Anthony Younis beats Ryan Devine and Joshua Hong in a clash for a header, Younis header goes into the back of the net to get the equaliser for Spirit. Unbelievable.

WSW 3 - NWS 3

77' - Foul

Thomas Lopez is taken down about 30 yards out from Spirits own goals. It could set up a chance to score.

78' - CHANCE

Hollingdale steps up to take the free kick which goes over Spirit's wall. The ball curls but goes wide and out for Spirit's goal kick.

87' - SAVE 

NWS Spirit has a corner which sees the ball go to Luis Lobo but it is saved after there's a few Wanderers players in the way. It was a vital save.
 

3-3 Full Time.

APIA Champions - 65. Rockdale 2nd, Blacktown 3rd.

WSW finish 13th with 31 points. Sutherland also 31 but an inferior goal difference.

Mt Druitt in relegation/promotion play-off.

Bulls Relegated.

FT: 3 WSW - 3 NWS

The Wanderers will conclude the season with a draw after leading 2-0 at half time. A disappointing second half sees the squad giving away three goals. However, the draw does see the Wanderers move up a spot to 13th as they overtake the Sutherland Sharks now move down to 14th on goal difference.

Thanks for the updates. 
Baccus only lasted 10 minutes and then went off. We made 5 subs at halftime, so no subs left. We played the last 35 minutes with 10 men, and all of them but 1 could still play 18’s. Young team did well!

Thanks bang average for a more detailed assessment of the match rather than criticising the team for the second half. 
 

NPL status secured and with nearly all of the scholarship players rested (Younis, Simmons etc) the team had the better of the 1st half. 
 

5 subs at half time - YES - major re jig of the team and very disjointed you might have commented……… 

some of the players actually trained for A League for 2 hours then rested before the game. 

who replaces 5 players - they do to give players exposure at this level……..

why you may ask - about giving some players their debuts and game time with the season not on the line. 

then to play one short for 35 mins (Baccus had played the full 20’s game) a great effort against a side that BEAT the champions just last week. 


Well done boys