Western Sydney Wanderers have gone from winless in the Liberty A-League to consecutive wins over two of the league’s best teams and one of their new stars had a warning for the rest of the competition as they target finals.
Sarina Bolden put on a show with a goal in the Wanderers’ 2-1 win over previously undefeated league leaders Western United on Saturday afternoon.
The Philippines international, with national team head coach and Australian Alen Stajcic in the crowd, scored her first goal for Western Sydney after opening the scoring at Wanderers Football Park.
After Hannah Keane equalised, Amy Harrison restored the lead courtesy of a goal from a indirect free-kick as the Wanderers celebrated back-to-back wins for the first time since 2021.
The Wanderers are eighth and six points adrift of the top four, but Bolden is dreaming big.
“Absolutely,” Bolden – who has provided a spark since joining the Wanderers – replied when asked if this was the start of Western Sydney pushing for finals.
“This isn’t a fluke. How can you tell me that the second to last team in the league beats the two top teams in the A-Leagues. That just doesn’t happen on a fluke.
“There’s been a real shift in the team. There is a lot of talent and hard work. We have the momentum going forward. We stopped Western’s momentum.
Keep an eye on us. We’re going to do some great things.”
Western Sydney Wanderers 2-1 Western United – AAP report
Western United suffered their first Liberty A-League loss after Western Sydney Wanderers posted their second successive major upset in a 2-1 win.
The Wanderers’ 53rd-minute winner came from a rare indirect free-kick in the penalty area, awarded after a backpass.
A ball on the left edge of the six-yard box was played to Amy Harrison, who lashed her shot past the wall and into the net.
Western almost salvaged a point at Wanderers Football Park, hitting the post near the end as they fought to preserve their unbeaten record after winning their first seven games.
The Wanderers secured back-to-back wins for the first time since February 2021, having upset Melbourne City at their previous outing.
Sophie Harding and Sarina Bolden consistently caused problems for Western’s defence and they combined for the Wanderers first goal in the 12th minute.
Import Bolden scored her first Liberty A-League goal from Harding’s pass and they both had another good chance to score before Western equalised in the 26th minute.
Hannah Keane scored her third goal in four days with a fine far-post header from a Khali Johnson cross.
It was Western’s only first-half shot on target and the American’s sixth goal of a productive campaign.
Buoyed by the equaliser, Western became more assertive and dangerous as the half progressed.
Danielle Steer struck a post from the edge of the area in the 45th minute and shortly after Julia Sando floated a shot just over the bar.
Western brought new signing Angie Beard and Matildas stalwart Chloe Logarzo off the bench just before the hour but the Wanderers continued to create chances.