Fresh from becoming the Wanderers all time leading goalscorer, Brendon Santalab smashed a brilliant hat-trick to put down Melbourne City 3-1 at the Sydney Showground.
Along with his brace against Wellington last week, Santalab's treble sees him rocket to equal 3rd in the golden boot race behind Besart Berisha & Bruno Fornroli & level with Jamie Maclaren. 3 minutes into the game however and the prognoisis for the Wanderers looked grim after they conceded a goal to Neil Kilkenny. Nick Fitzgerald crabwalked sideways inside the Wanderers penalty area, he played a short pass across the top of the box and Kilkenny lined up a shot on the edge of the penalty area semi-circle. It looked off target but was on course to hit Jonathan Aspro, and the young defender shied away from contact with the ball. His decision to turn his back on the ball was costly as it rebounded from his back into the dead centre of the goal, with Vedran Janjetovic left stranded.
The Wanderers hit back level after 20 minutes, Nico Martinez waltzed past a City defender, then found Santalab, he took a touch that bought him in towards goal, and his second was a stunning strike that beat Thomas Sorensen at the near post.
Scott Neville combined with Santalab to put the Wanderers in front just after an hour. Kearyn Baccus launched a cross field bomb of a pass down to the right wing, Scott Neville chased after it, halted the ball before it crossed the byline, then curled in a left footed cross onto the penalty spot, Santalab was on the mark, with three City defenders converging on his position, he knocked a pinpoint header into the bottom far corner of the net. He celebrated in front of the RBB with a trademark jumping leap.
In the 67th minute Santalab had his hat-trick, and the Wanderers were two in front. Jack Clisby maruadingdown the flank having overlapped Jumpei, he cut inside perhaps to shoot, but his touch was heavy, but a challenge with Brattan saw the ball loop up into the penalty box. Santalab & Sorensen both attacked the ball, Santalab getting there first, his deft touch passed the outstretched hands of the keeper and nestled into the back of the net.
Melbourne City saw a glimmer of hope in the 75th minute, as Baccus tripped Nick Fitzgerald in the box and conceded a penalty. Bruno Fornaroli stepped up but made a mess of the spot kick, it was weak, low and central, and Janjetovic kicked it away with his feet. As much as City huffed & puffed they weren't able to get a clean chance on goal again, and the Wanderers ran out winners 3-1.
Although the result didn't change any position in the top 4, it gives Brisbane a chance to go level on points while Perth could end up a single point behind. The Wanderers themselves are now just 2 points behind Brisbane & 1 behind Perth, with their 3 games remaining they could very well find themselves in position for a home final.
Edited by mack
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