Wanderers take down Heart

Western Sydney Wanderers picked up their first away win of the season on Saturday as they defeated the Melbourne Heart 2-1 in the National Youth League.

Western Sydney Wanderers picked up their first away win of the season on Saturday as they defeated the Melbourne Heart 2-1 in the National Youth League at Epping Stadium.

Penalties early in the game to both sides, converted by Wanderer Yianni Perkatis and the Heart’s Dylan Macallister, had them on level terms before Daniel Barac’s lovely finish eventually separated the two sides as the Wanderers picked up only their third win of the season.

Both sides had big names in their line-ups with the Heart featuring target man Macallister while the Wanderers rolled out Tarek Elrich, new signing Rocky Visconte and Jason Trifiro.

After an even opening, the Wanderers struck first blood on 10 minutes when Perkatis sent Heart ‘keeper Alastair Bray the wrong way from the spot after Nicholas Olsen was fouled by Andrew Mullett.

It wasn’t long before the Heart equalised through Macallister in the 18th minute, also from the penalty spot, after Stefan Mauk was pushed over contesting a high ball in the area.

The Heart nearly took the lead on 28 minutes when Mauk completed a driving run into the area but his powerful shot clipped the crossbar from a great position.

Despite possession being split, the Heart looked more dangerous in attack and it was a surprise that Western Sydney grabbed the lead just before half-time.

Jacob Williams floated a brilliant long ball over the top of the Heart back four which was excellently controlled and slipped past the ‘keeper by Barac.

The second-half possession was shaded by the Wanderers as they looked to push on for a third goal.

It nearly came on 54 minutes when Visconte crossed a super ball to the back post that was controlled and flicked by Perkatis and promptly blasted over the bar by Alastair Quinn with his first touch.

Another golden opportunity was squandered by Western Sydney on 81 minutes after Olsen brought down a cross-field pass and advanced on goal.

The left-winger chose to pass to Trifiro, whose placed effort went just wide of the right post.

Despite not being able to close out the game, with Olsen missing a one-on-one opportunity in the 88th minute, the Wanderers held on and will remain in ninth position due to poor goal difference.

The Heart missed a chance to leap above the Victory temporarily into second spot and are now under pressure from fourth-placed Adelaide United, who are two points behind them.

Melbourne Heart 1 (Macallister 18pen)
Western Sydney Wanderers 2 (Perkatis 10pen, Barac 42)

Melbourne Heart : 1. Alastair Bray (GK), 2. Phillip Petreski (15. Nicholas Epifano 60), 3. Sam Mitchinson, 4. Andrew Mullett, 5. William Abbott, 6. Cameron Edwards, 7. Zac Walker (12. Andrew Cartanos 60), 8. Paulo Retre, 9. Ben Garuccio 10. Stefan Mauk, 11. Dylan McAllister (14. Ersin Kaya 45)
Yellow Card: Ben Garuccio 68

Western Sydney Wanderers: 1. Aaron Liddell (GK), 2. Nicholas Olsen, 3. Jacob Williams (13.Stepjan Paric 60), 4. James Baldacchino, 5. Rocky Visconte (12. Jake McGing 61), 6. Yianni Perkatis (c), 7. Zakeriya Elrich (14. Alastair Quinn 53) (5. Rocky Visconte 72) , 8. Reece Caira, 9. Daniel Barac, 10. Jason Trifiro, 11. Tarek Elrich
Yellow Cards: Jake McGing 66, Tarek Elrich 67, Reece Caira 76