Weston Molonglo FC 5 (Jarryd Clifton 5’, Sam MacLachlan 51’, Andrew Sellers 65’, Carl Hynes 85’, Carl Hynes 90’+2) def. Wagga City Wanderers FC 2 (Fred Gardiner 6’, Jake Ploenges 59’)

By Tom Young

Weston Molonglo FC’s home ground advantage and the recent form of second placed Wagga City Wanderers FC set the stage for an interesting encounter at Woden Park on Saturday.

Wanderers started well earning an attacking free kick after 3 minutes that was driven into the Weston wall. Wanderers early initiative was undone in the 5^th minute however, after a defensive error allowed Weston’s Jarryd Clifton a clear run at goal and time to pick his spot, before he finished well with a low drive to the ‘keeper’s right.

Wanderers responded instantly in the 6^th minute, when Fred Gardiner found space outside the Weston area in front of goal and dispatched a crisp low drive into the net.

Both teams remained lively after the early scoring, pressing into their opponents’ areas looking for openings. Carl Hynes made multiple runs down the right for Weston, sending in well weighted crosses that just failed to connect with teammates.

Wanderers had two goal bound shots from within the area charged down in the 14^th minute, before a period of Weston pressure led to another shooting chance for Jarryd Clifton in the 19^th minute, and a long-range attempt from Andrew Sellers in the 23^rd minute, with both attempts lifted over the bar.

Wanderers worked hard to put pressure back on Weston, with Fred Gardiner busily creating openings.

Weston withstood Wanderers’ pressure and created their own chance on 30 minutes when a cross was punched clear by Wanderers’ ‘keeper Robert Fry and the follow up header was sent wide. A minute later Fred Gardiner finished well for Wanderers but was ruled narrowly offside.

Robert Fry saved well on 34 minutes with a strong hand to keep out a firm close range attempt from Weston’s Carl Hynes.

Weston’s ‘keeper James Parrett punched clear a searching Wanderers’ free kick on 38 minutes, and Justin Curran lifted another chance for Wanderers over the bar on 41 minutes.

A blocked attempt for Weston and cross into the area from Wanderers saw out the half with honours even at the break.

Wanderers started the second half strongly, pushing forward with the majority of possession and sending in a dangerous through ball that was well read and cleared by Weston’s Ben Greig.

Weston absorbed the pressure and moved forward in the 51^st minute to win an attacking free kick outside the area. Sam MacLachlan took the free kick quickly as Wanderers were still organising their wall and defensive lines, and gave Weston a 2-1 lead with an accurate finish.

Wanderers responded well again to going behind, keeping Weston inside their own half for an extended period. The pressure paid off on 59 minutes, when Frank Macias sent a well floated free kick into the Weston area that was headed home at the back post by Jake Plonges.

With scores level there were further shooting chances for each side. The deadlock was broken when Weston’s Andrew Sellers latched onto a forward header and found himself in space, racing towards goal and lifting the ball neatly over the advancing ‘keeper to give Weston the lead on 65 minutes.

Wanderers again reacted well to Weston taking the lead, pressing for an opening. On 70 minutes Fred Gardiner turned sharply to beat his marker but his shot was well saved by James Parrett.

The next 10 minutes saw play move from end to end, with both teams creating shooting chances. An 80^th minute Weston free kick from outside the area in front of goal was hit straight at Wanderers’ ‘keeper Robert Fry.

In the 85^th minute, with Wanderers pushing forward searching for their third equaliser, the ball broke near the half way line for Weston’s Carl Hynes, who ran 40 metres towards the Wanderers goal and coolly finished under ‘keeper Robert Fry.

Wanderers kept working, earning an attacking throw and corner on 87 minutes.

In the 89th minute Wanderers’ Robert Fry was called into action again, making a sharp one-on-one save from Weston’s Carl Hynes, and collecting the follow up corner. His opposite number James Parrett punched clear a difficult Wanderers corner two minutes later. A through ball chance for Wanderers’ Jake Plonges was then halted by an excellent tackle from Weston’s Arden Law.

Weston sealed their victory in injury time, when Carl Hynes finished well after finding himself in space again.

Weston secured a much needed win at home, with Wanderers showing fight until the end.

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