Fazzari Fires Wanderers To Fourth Straight Victory
Western Sydney Wanderers did it the hard way but made it four straight wins with a 1-0 victory over Sydney University at Wanderers Football Park on Sunday evening.
A Nikkita Fazzari strike early in the second half proved to be the difference between the two sides, despite an impressive performance from Sydney Uni, who could feel unfortunate to leave without something to show for their efforts.
The home side created the first chance of the contest when Miriam Zumaya found space down the left before delivering a dangerous ball across the face of the six-yard box.
Mia Nataly came close to getting on the end of the delivery but arrived inches too late.
Sydney Uni responded with their first opportunity through Poppy Tay, although she was unable to generate enough power with her effort, allowing the goalkeeper to comfortably collect.
Asha Sutton and Maddie Caspers then battled to get shots away from the edge of the area, but desperate defending from the Wanderers kept the visitors at bay.
With half-time approaching, Sydney Uni threatened again, with Caspers forcing Wanderers goalkeeper Annabelle Croll into a low save.
The visitors continued to look dangerous after the restart, but it was the Wanderers who found the decisive moment.
Zumaya was a constant threat throughout the match and her persistence paid off in the 55th minute.
The left winger delivered a dangerous cross into the penalty area, finding Fazzari at the top of the box.
Fazzari took a touch before unleashing a powerful volley beyond Sydney Uni goalkeeper Baylee Broomhead to give the Wanderers a 1-0 lead.
Sydney Uni almost responded 10 minutes later.
Excellent build-up and combination play between substitutes Ella McCann and Ellen Hughes created the opportunity, but Hughes was unable to find the target.
Amelia Bennett was also proving dangerous for the Wanderers, creating problems for the Sydney Uni defence down the right flank.
With 20 minutes remaining, the visitors came agonisingly close to an equaliser.
Kiara Bonora picked up the ball outside the penalty area before driving forward and unleashing a powerful effort that cannoned off the crossbar.
Sydney Uni continued to push forward and came close again when a poorly cleared cross fell into the path of Caspers.
The forward blasted towards goal, but Bennett put her body on the line to block the effort.
The chances continued to come for the visitors, with Caspers going even closer when her header from a cross from the right struck the upright.
Despite Sydney Uni’s sustained pressure and numerous chances, the Wanderers defended resolutely through the closing stages to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The result extends Western Sydney’s winning run to four matches, while Sydney University will be left wondering how they came away from Wanderers Football Park without at least a point.
Match Stats
Western Sydney Wanderers: 1 (Fazzari 55’)
Sydney University: 0
Sunday 16 August
Wanderers Football Park
Western Sydney Wanderers: 20. Crol, 2. Keep, 3 Murray, 5. Bennett, 8. Nataly (11. McKenzie), 23. Zumaya, 24. Fazzari, 26. Zordan (38. Young), 27 Bradshaw, 28. Karaberis (32. Moussa), 29. Betro.
Substitutes: 7. Bagiante, 12. Gabila, 16. Panagopoulos,30. Church.
Yellow Cards: Murray
Red Cards: Nil
Sydney University SFC: 1. Broomhead, 2. Owen (24. Juric), 4. Sambrook, 6. Harris (20. Hughes), 9. Tay (14. McCann), 11. Murray, 12. Farrow, 15. Caspers, 18. Bonora, 28 Raad, 39. Sutton.
Substitute: 23. Zec, 30. Cho-Triganza, 31. Gray, 37. Beram.
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
-By Nikola Pozder
