The Western Sydney Wanderers have defeated Wellington Phoenix 1-0 in a friendly match at Marconi Stadium which formed part of the Wanderers 2018/19 season launch.
An early goal by Nick Fitzgerald secured the win for the Red & Black in front of 3000 Wanderers fans at their season launch on Saturday.
The Wanderers fielded a line-up mixed with experienced players such as Tarek Elrich and Fitzgerald, as well as some youth team players such as Tate Russell, John Roberts and Marc Tokich.
FRIENDLY: Newcastle dominant in penultimate pre-season match
FIFA 19: Every Hyundai A-League team's best XI
Fitzgerald and Roberts were running rampant against Wellington in the opening minutes and had a number of early chances to put the Wanderers in front.
Wellington ‘keeper Danijel Nizic was called into action to make a sharp reflex save to deny a shot by Mitch Nichols.
The Red & Black took the lead in the 20th minute after Lachlan Scott did well to hold the ball up, before laying it off to Roberts who found Fitzgerald with a pinpoint cross. He tapped in from close range and the Wanderers were up 1-0.
It turned out to be the only goal of the match, as both teams pushed in the second stanza but neither could find the breakthrough.
Western Sydney will now turn their attention to the FFA Cup semi-finals, while Wellington have behind-closed-doors friendlies against Sydney Olympic and Sydney FC in the calendar for the coming week.
