Bridge steals game for Wanderers

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A LATE Mark Bridge goal saw the rampaging Western Sydney Wanderers inflict a second successive defeat on Kevin Muscat's reign on Saturday night at Pirtek Stadium.

The Wanderers have opened up a six-point gap between them and Victory, who are now fifth, after the 1-0 win in front 15,854 as the rain pelted down all night.

Victory played well and attacked more but the notoriously stingy Wanderers gave up few chances and hit Victory with a late burst.

Sub Labinot Haliti, who had only come on 12 minutes earlier, expertly used his body to shield the ball from Adrian Leijer before wriggling free and supplying a low, skidding cross in between Nathan Coe and the defenders.

Bridge ghosted in on the back post to tap the ball in the back of the net leaving Victory keeper Nathan Coe no chance.

It was stiff for Victory, who were solid throughout the night but it's happened far too often in Wanderers games to be a fluke.

Victory now faces an important home game against Adelaide United, who drew 1-1 with Perth Glory on Saturday.

MATCH CENTRE: WANDERERS v VICTORY

Socceroos hopefuls from both sides were auditioning in front of new national team boss Ange Postecoglou, who was watching from the stands alongside the entire squad.

Victory's James Troisi probed all night without reward while Matthew Spiranovic, who retained his spot in place of captain Michael Beauchamp, did his chances no harm with a composed performance in the Wanderers defence in just his second start.

While Victory and the Wanderers are arguably the two fittest teams in the A-League, the home side's physical prowess is something to marvel at with players rarely losing a duel.

That was evident not only defensively but with Haliti's work in the Wanderers goal.

As is becoming customary with these two sides, the first half was a chess game - albeit a feisty one - as Wanderers withstood Victory's constant forward thrusts.

But chances were hard to come by, with Archie Thompson having the only genuine one inside the first 40 minutes before a late flurry to close the half.

With man of the match Shinji Ono pulling the string for the Wanderers, Brendon Santalab was centimetres away from connecting with Jerome Polenz's cross before end to end action ensued.

Connor Pain, Santalab and Thompson all had great chances within a few minutes before Mark Bridge had a brilliant shot tipped over by Nathan Coe.

Finkler came on late in the game at the venue he did his knee last season, but he couldn't effect the result.

WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS 1 (Mark Bridge 82m) bt MELBOURNE VICTORY 0 at Pirtek Stadium. Crowd: 15,854. Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones.

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