Sulaiman, promoted to the senior team during the week, had two goals by half-time as the Wanderers enjoyed a 3-0 win over O'Connor Knights in Canberra on Saturday.

The Wanderers maintained their undefeated start to the NPL2 season with an impressive win over last year's grand finalists.

The win is another significant step towards a finals campaign for the Wanderers men.

Sulaiman replaced Luke Stevens, who was benched after failing to train, and took his opportunity with the early double. Assistant coach Matt Menser then completed the job with a goal in the 60^th minute.

Wanderers coach Michael Babic was pleased to see Sulaiman grab his opportunity and help the squad continue their strong start to the season.

"Nashwan played 23s last week and only got a call up because someone didn't train on Thursday. So he took his opportunity very well," Babic explained.

"He played really well in the 23s last game. His form was good, we have a policy that if you don't train during the week then you don't play on the weekend and he got an opportunity because one of the starters didn't train and he took his opportunity.

"We're trying to set the right environment, the boys all know that, if they can't train, they start on the bench or they play 23s and someone else gets an opportunity and when that opportunity comes, you've got to be up for it and Nashwan did a great job (on Saturday)."

While the Wanderers were able to put three in the back of the net, equally as impressive was a clean sheet for the third consecutive week.

Co-captain and goalkeeper, Robert Fry, produced two magnificent saves to help Wanderers to victory. The first came at 0-0, then the second when his team had worked their way to a 3-0 lead.

"It was a really good team performance," Babic said.

"The game was a bit closer than 3-0 and they're a very good side. Everyone from Fryzie at the back to the two boys up front, everyone put in a good shift.

"We defended really well and another clean sheet, I'm very happy with that. Then we were able to take our chances when they came, we didn't have that many to be honest, we weren't tearing them apart but when they did come we managed to put them at the back of the net.

"They're a very good side, they were in the grand final last year, they're a quality team with quality all over the park, we matched it with them and got the goal, got the second goal and in the second half we just played smart football, we managed to keep them out and play to the conditions."

While Sulaiman and Fry played starring roles, defender Dylan Berkrey continued his brilliant start to the season with another strong performance at the back.

It was a great day for the Wanderers, with their under 23 team enjoying a 6-0 win over O'Connor Knights.

Babic said the under 23 team is playing an important role in the senior squad's success as they edge closer to cementing themselves a finals position with 10 points at the halfway mark of the competition.

"I think 15 points guarantees us finals football, it may end up being less the way the results are going but if we can get to 15 it guarantees us finals football and we're in a good position," he said.

"The next three weeks we play three of the other top four teams so it's a big period coming up. If we do well in that, who knows, first spot could be available, we've just got to keep focusing on week in, week out and really, the boys are being driven by the 23s.

"The 23s are performing extremely well and the boys all know they've got to perform because there are guys who are really pushing to get a run, so if you don't turn up and perform then you don't necessarily play the week after."

The Wanderers face another trip to Canberra next Saturday to take on Canberra White Eagles at Woden Park.

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