Wanderers cruise past Mariners, into ALM top six

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Wanderers cruise past Mariners, into ALM top six

Western Sydney have cruised to a 4-0 win over struggling reigning champions Central Coast to charge into the A-League Men top six.

The Wanderers extended their unbeaten run to four games, scoring twice in the opening 13 minutes, then taking a 3-0 lead by halftime.

Alen Stajcic’s charges added a fourth via a Marcus Antonsson penalty in the 72nd minute to rise to third, at least temporarily, on the table.

The 10th-placed Mariners (21 points) are winless in five ALM games, five points behind sixth-placed Western United and seven points back from the Wanderers, with their finals hopes in danger.

The Wanderers took the lead in almost comical fashion in the sixth minute.

Anthony Pantazopoulos launched a goal-kick deep into the Mariners’ half and Central Coast keeper Adam Pavlesic tried to head the ball to safety.

But he miscued it and instead sent the ball back over his own head, with Wanderers striker Zac Sapsford running on to it to tap home.

Seven minutes later, the Wanderers stylishly doubled their lead.

Jack Clisby won the ball and worked it to Sapsford, who back-heeled it to Clisby to fire home.

Mariner Lucas Mauragus hit the woodwork in the 23rd minute, and a minute later Alou Kuol had a shot cleared off the line.

Wanderers arguably could have had a penalty on the half-hour mark when Brian Kaltak clipped Bozhidar Kraev, but their pleas were waved away.

Kuol headed home in the 39th minute but was ruled to have fouled Lawrence Thomas.

The Wanderers took the ball up the other end a minute later and scored, with Dean Pelekanos’ shot deflecting home off teammate Nicolas Milanovic.

Western Sydney sealed victory when Pavlesic caught Antonsson in the area.

He saved Antonsson’s penalty but was ruled to have come off his line.

The Swede made no mistake with his second spot-kick.

Next up, Mark Jackson’s Mariners host Western United on Friday, then the Wanderers face Perth Glory at home next Sunday.

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