Teenage striker Lachlan Scott has finally got the monkey off his – and Western Sydney’s – back, scoring his maiden A-League goal to help the Wanderers to their first home win of the season.
Scott’s first-half strike and Jaushua Sotirio’s 68th-minute effort sealed a much-needed 2-0 triumph over mid-table rivals Newcastle at Campbelltown Stadium on Sunday.
The result was a long time coming for Tony Popovic’s stuttering squad, winless in their past six games, with just 15 points from 15 rounds and needing a win to stay in touch with the top six.
For now at least, they move up into seventh and within goal difference of a play-off spot, while the revived Jets slip to eighth following their second loss in seven games.
A change of scenery was seemingly all it took for the frustrated Wanderers, who found more success further west of their fruitless temporary home grounds of Spotless Stadium and ANZ Stadium.
Campbelltown also proved a happy hunting ground for Scott. The 19-year-old opened his A-League account in his 10th game, a little more than five months after netting a pre-season FFA Cup brace at the same venue.
Newcastle were enterprising but without the forward power of suspended Andrew Hoole, managed only a single shot on target, as Devante Clut battled for accuracy and Finnish striker Aleksandr Kokko struggled to make traction on a rare start.
While usually blistering winger Andrew Nabbout was kept relatively quiet, Nicolas Martinez was his evasive self up the other end.
But the visitors defended well and centre-back Lachlan Jackson often stopped Scott getting much service.
That was until the 44th minute, when Kearyn Baccus delivered a pass to the top of the box for the former youth-team striker to swivel before drilling the ball into the top-right corner.
Sotirio, a bundle of energy, threatened over and over to double the lead and finally got his moment 20 minutes from the end of regulation time via a deflected strike into the bottom left corner from a Dimas pass.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Mathew Leckie played a pivotal part in Melbourne City claiming an 8-nil win; playing a role in several of his team's goals.
The club was in the second half of the A-League Women's clash with Newcastle Jets as part a doubleheader with the A-League Men, when…
The loser of the Sydney Derby will be under immense pressure entering the final three matches of the season.
A good performance from Michael Ruhs, scoring twice to beat Macarthur and doubling his season goal tally in the process.
Phillip Cancar’s rather comical and momentarily delayed dive in the 36th minute of Newcastle Jets 3-1 win over Sydney FC on Sunday was a…
Anthony Caceres is a player with immense talent and has a fantastic work rate, broke the deadlock against the Mariners in the 74th minute.
