Wagga City Wanderers will take plenty of confidence into their upcoming pre-season clash with Monaro Panthers after edging Western Mariners on Saturday.
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Off-season recruit Joe Preece again proved his value in attack, scoring the only goal of the match midway through the second term as Wanderers hung on for a 1-0 win.
“I think it was another positive performance for us,” Wanderers coach Ross Morgan said.
“Again, we created multiple chances and we were really well organised.
“It’s a big turnaround from last year where they beat us 6-2 in a trial and keeping a clean sheet against a side that plays in the division above is very good.
“We looked particularly good at set piece … and I think we dealt with their long balls quite well, good defence in the end.”
Morgan highlighted the efforts of Preece, Fred Gardner, Shaun Moffat and skipper Rob Fry, the latter of whom stepped up in a tense second half.
We created multiple chances and we were really well organised.
- Wanderers coach Ross Morgan
“Rob had a couple of great saves and he was really good on set piece, just getting above the pack and taking the ball confidently.”
“Shaun was terrific in defence as well and we got a few of the younger guys having a run at the end.
“Will Shuttleworth got some game time and Jacob Ochieng had a few chances when he came on late in the second half.
“Nick Kennedy had a few chances and was unlucky not to score as well.”
Young Lions flyer Patrick Hislop also enjoyed some time of the pine and Morgan was impressed with what he saw.
“Patty got a run for the last 10-15 minutes or so on the wing and he looked really comfortable, just did the right things,” he said.
Wanderers take on Monaro Panthers this week.
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