Melbourne Victory left wandering aimlessly

The Western Sydney Wanderers have tonight defeated Melbourne Victory 2-1 at Parramatta Stadium to move into third position on the A-League ladder.

Shinji Ono starred for the home side as he scored both his sides goals to give the Wanderers their first win against Melbourne Victory in their short history.

It was the Wanderers who had first crack on goal inside eight minutes, but striker Mark Bridge failed to capitalise on a pin-point cross from Youssouf Hersi. Bridge’s shot sailed well over the Victory cross bar.

The men in red and black had the better of the ball for the majority of the first half and despite their best efforts on goal, the half looked to be heading to a scoreless draw. But it took a piece of brilliance in the 42nd minute from Japanese international Shinji Ono to give his side the lead. Ono pounced on a loose ball for a left foot thunderbolt finish across the face of Nathan Coe's goal.

Western Sydney came out with the same intent in the second half and almost had their second goal inside the first minute of the half through Dino Kresinger. But the Croatian striker did little to trouble the keeper.

Melbourne Victory slowly started to play themselves into the game but Archie Thompson was the only Victory player who threatened the Wanderers' defence.

The home side were denied a chance to double their lead in the 65th minute as a shout for handball was disallowed in the box.

Despite the Wanderers continuously attacking the Victory goal, the away side scored against the run of play through the boot of Spase Dilevski with a shot from outside the 18-yard box in the 72nd minute.

But just like the first half, Ono scored with one of the goals of the season with a spectacular shot that curled around the keeper into the top right corner.

Ono got a standing ovation from his home fans when he was substituted in the 83rd minute. Chants of ‘Shinji Ono’ an overwhelming sound for the only Wanderers’ goal scorer.

The Victory pressed forward for a late equaliser, and when the ball flew into the Wanderers six-yard box, Melbourne came agonisingly close to drawing level. But it was the Wanderers who held firm for a memorable victory.