Western Sydney Wanderers register maiden win in National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition
It was a first ever win for the Western Sydney Wanderers in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition, defeating Sydney Olympic on Sunday night at Wanderers Football Park, 3-1.
The home side opened the scoring mid way through the first half when young gun Miriam Zumaya found the back of the net.
It was the visitors that would come out firing in the second, equalising through Maxine Peak early before the Wanderers responded, scoring a further two goals through Anika Stajcic and Gemma Ferris.
Strengthened with a number of players from the Liberty A-League Wanderers side, the home team came out firing and had her their first chance through Miriam Zumaya.
The crafty winger cut in from the right and shot toward goal, thwarted by an excellent save by Brianna Clarke who tipped the ball onto the post.
The Wanderers continued to dominate possession and field position, with Talia Kapetanellis playing a pivotal role.
It would be Kapetanellis who would play a pivotal role in the Wanderers opener, sending a perfect diagonal ball for Zumaya, the youngster doing the rest on her own, beating her marker before blasting the ball beyond Clarke.
A different Olympic side appeared in the second period and threatened immediately.
Priya Sciuriaga forcing Aimee Hall into a fingertip save with an excellent shot from distance, the ball coming off the bar.
Only minutes later, and Olympic were level.
Maxine Peak managed to turn in the area and get just enough on her shot at full stretch to beat Hall in the Wanderers goal.
Olympic came again at the Wanderers goal, this time Gabrielle Peak using her pace to burst into the box, only for Hall to palm away her powerful effort, the rebound falling to Maxine Peak who couldn’t direct the rebound goal wards.
This seemed to wake the home side up and on the hour mark were back in front courtesy of Stajcic.
Olympic was slow to react to a short corner as Kapetanellis sent an angled cross into the box which Stajcic fortunately was able to bundle home for her second goal in as many competitive games.
Kapetanellis then had a chance to get on the score sheet, only for Clarke to make a fine double save.
The winger went close moments later but again Clarke saved.
Stajcic then started a neat team move before slipping in substitute Brooklyn Hudson, only for Clarke to save well and keep her team in the game.
From the resulting corner thought the Wanderers made the points safe.
First Maya Lobo had a chance cleared off the line, before the rebound fell to Ferris who powered her volley into the bottom corner.
The Wanderers closed out the game to get their campaign up and running with a good performance.
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Match Stats
Western Sydney Wanderers 3 (Zumaya 21’, Stajcic 60’, Ferris 77’)
Sydney Olympic 1 (Peak 49’)
Sunday, 16 March
Wanderers Football Park
Western Sydney Wanderers: Hall, 3. Ferris, 5. Barton, 11. Zumaya (7. McKenzie), 13. Kapetanellis, 14. Khoshaba, 16. Stajcic, 18. Barker (8.Cameron), 19. Younis (21. Vanderlaan), 25. Lobo, 26. Arrarte (32. Hudson).
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Selva, 15. Scamardella.
Yellow Cards: Stajcic
Red Cards: Nil
Sydney Olympic: 21. Clarke, 2. G. Peak (31. Vasiliadis), 3. McCur Shore, 4. Thew, 10. Fernandez (20. Malesci), 11. Borromeo (24. Giannakos), 12. Lysiak,13. Baudana, 17. M. Peak, 23. Gordon, 25. Sciuriaga (28. Antoniou).
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Tseros, 8. Arena.
Yellow Cards: Baudana.
Red Cards: Nil
By Nikola Pozder
