Western Sydney v Melbourne Victory: Wanderers extend lead at top of A-League ladder

IN the end there had to be a loser, but it wasn’t the Western Sydney Wanderers as they extended their winning streak to seven games in an A-League classic.

A-League Rd 10 - Western Sydney v Melbourne

IN the end there had to be a loser, but it wasn’t the Western Sydney Wanderers.

Second half goals to Mark Bridge and Romeo Castelen in front of 17,073 fans at Pirtek Stadium gave the home side a thrilling 2-0 win over Melbourne Victory in a match that was befitting of all the hype. In short, it was breathless football from start to finish.

The Wanderers, who have been a joy to watch all season, have now notched up seven consecutive wins. It’s no less than they deserve either, after overcoming a Victory side that played incredibly well themselves.

After a goalless first half, the breakthrough finally came in the 54th minute when Romeo Castelen, superb all evening, crossed the ball for Bridge who could hardly miss from right in front of goal. His sliding finish, in front of the RBB, gave the home the side the lead and Wanderland erupted. Bridge butchered a few chances in the first half, but a player who had scored in three consecutive games — make that four now — has the quality to bounce back.

The Wanderers nearly doubled their lead soon after when Andreu’s dink bounced off the woodwork, but Castelen made up for it when he was rewarded for a supreme performance on the night. With just over 10 minutes remaining an error from Danny Vukovic allowed Castelen to squeeze his shot into the back of the net. No one on the field deserved a goal more than him and the fans, appreciative of his efforts, gave him a rousing ovation when he was substituted with six minutes remaining.

The electric atmosphere off the field, thanks to the returning RBB who were in full voice, was matched by the electric football on it.

The pace and intensity lived up to expectations for this much anticipated top of the table clash, but it was the visitors who pressed early.

It didn’t take long for the home side to get back into it and the danger came mainly through Dutch winger Romeo Castelen.

Castelen, as he’s already done so often this season, cut in from the right and beat two defenders, but Mark Bridge completely miss hit his shot that would have given the Wanderers the lead. It was Bridge’s first shot off target this season, but it wasn’t to be his last.

A few minutes later he was released by Mitch Nichols and, with just the keeper to beat, his effort trickled wide.

Bridge has an excellent scoring record against his good mate Danny Vukovic, having netted seven times in the 23 games the two have faced each other in and in the second half he would go on to make it eight.

It was relentless attacking play from the Wanderers and Nichols decided to have a go with a curling effort from the left that went just over the crossbar.

Romeo Castelen of the Wanderers celebrates with teammates and fans.

Then it was the Victory’s turn to remind everyone just why they’re the defending champions. Gui Finkler, Kosta Barbarouses and Besart Berisha began to assert themselves as the game progressed and the visitors nearly took the lead. A cross was fumbled by Andrew Redmayne and Berisha pounced, only for his header to bounce off the crossbar and back into play. Fortunately Scott Jamieson was on hand to clear the danger. Berisha makes headlines for his goals, but the striker also puts in the hard work off the ball.

The threat from Victory didn’t stop there. Barbarouses thundered down the left, but his effort was deflected away by a finger tip save from Redmayne.

Just as Victory seemed to be asserting their dominance. it was the Wanderers who hit back with two attempts from Castelen. The first a shot from the left that stung the palms of Vukovic and the second an attempt from inside the box that Vukovic just managed to get his legs to.

It was breathless stuff. Somehow the score was still locked at 0-0 at half time, and perhaps appropriately so as neither side deserved to be losing after what was the best first half of football seen all season.

Originally published as Western Sydney v Melbourne Victory: Wanderers extend lead at top of A-League ladder