A-League Wanderland

Every so often O’ Connell Street, Parramatta , transforms into an area only those in Western Sydney know, ‘The Wanderland’.

The Western Sydney Wanderers inception into the A-League has been a slow, but highly successful process. Having personally attended five of the Wanderers previous games, I have noticed that the attendances have been climbing at a very reasonable rate since the first ‘Sydney Derby’ back in October last year.

In the lead up to this game (which was played in March) the Wanderers had been on a very impressive 10-game winning streak and all eyes were on this primetime clash as there was plenty to play for.

A major selling point for a lot of the fans wasn’t just the fact that this was the ‘Sydney Derby’, rather the opportunity to see Western Sydney secure the minor-premiership in their first ever season.

The fans were rowdy entering the stadium, myself and four mates included thanks to the three rounds of beer we had pre game. As we entered the stadium, all of us seasoned veterans of

the “March down O’Connell”, the atmosphere was electric. This wasn’t another Sydney Derby, this was a snapshot of history.

We got to the seats, middle of the field with a perfect view of both goals, celebratory handshakes were shared all-round. We had the best seats in the house and it was up to Western Sydney to show they were the best team in the land.

Quiet banter amongst ourselves sparked many debates…who would play instead of Jerome Polenz? What would happen to Aaron Mooy? Would the Australian national team even make the  2014 World Cup?

It’s fair to say that going alone to a game is a very different experience than going with your friends.

I had been to two previous games alone and although it had its perks, the atmosphere you get going with your buddies is absolutely unparalleled. For starters, you are definitely going to get more smashed. With 4 people in our entourage there was plenty of beer to go around, I don’t think there was any point during the game where

I did not have beverage in my hand. And thanks to liquid courage, the abuse dispensed by our silver tongues kept even the sternest of Sydney FC supporters at bay.

Going by yourself to a match like this, it’s just not worth it. The atmosphere for a big game, whatever sport, is best shared with mates. Being alone in an environment like this is akin to finding a rare vinyl of your favourite musician only to wake up deaf the next morning before getting the opportunity to listen, it’s just silly…

As the game progressed many WSW fans begun to wonder if this was their night. A mistake by Toper-Stanley, usually one of the best defenders in the competition, presented a straightforward chance to Italian import Alessandro Del Piero (ohh, and he didn’t miss). The crowd was growing more and more restless as the game progressed, but I’m not too sure if they we’re complaining about the lines to the bathroom or the standard of play on the field.

After getting the fourth and final round for the night, I settled into my seat in the middle of the pack. Spreading beers around I noticed that WSW had been given a free-kick in a very promising position. Slowly putting my cup down (because who wants to spill a beer while celebrating) I stood up and watched in awe as Shannon Cole saved Western Sydney’s minor premiership hopes with a dazzling free kick. High fives abounded while a few pleasantries were also exchanged with the Sydney FC fans seated to our right.

The night concluded with the game ending in a 1-1 draw, a disappointing but a fair result due to the standard of play. The train trip home, as usual, became a conversion about hypothetical situations and how we could have coached the Wanderers victory. Let’s face it, nobody ever really wants to go to a sporting event solo.