Getting to know Western Sydney's preseason opponents Mt Druitt Town Rangers

Getting to know Western Sydney's preseason opponents Mt Druitt Town Rangers

0
SHARE

The Western Sydney Wanderers will begin preparations for the upcoming FFA Cup and 2015-16 A-League campaigns tonight with a preseason friendly against Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Popondetta Park in Emerton, New South Wales .

There is no secret about the credentials of the Wanderers. They are the only A-League club to lift the Asian Champions League silverware and have featured in two grand finals, not to mention the array of quality players Tony Popovic has at his disposal.

Former Perth Glory and Newcastle Jets defenders Scott Jamieson and Scott Neville will be available on Thursday evening, while marquee singing Federico Piovaccari will be paraded during the match against the relatively unknown Town Rangers.

But how will Mt Druitt tackle the Western Sydney Wanderers?

The Mt Druitt outfit were founded by two Scotsmen in 1970, and after 45 years of developing, implementing and advancing football in Western Sydney, that Scottish heritage still bleeds through the club today.

The name Rangers originates from one-half of the founding partnership due to their love and passion of Scottish Premier League side Rangers FC, while the green throughout their jerseys embodies Glasgow giants Celtic.

Mt Druitt’s senior side competes in the National Premier League Division 2, (which is the second highest tier in NSW football) against sides including Hornsby’s Spirit FC, Central Coast FC and Bankstown City FC.

At the moment, Rangers hold 8th positon on the NPL 2 ladder behind Fraser Park FC and are 17 points adrift of the league leaders Spirit FC. The team’s form has been abysmal in recent weeks after conceding five goals against Central Coast and Sydney University SFC, while the table toppers added a further three to that tally last Sunday.

The Rangers have lost their last five matches, excluding the wash-out against Hakoah Sydney City East FC on July 18. Their last triumph was in mid-June with a 3-1 result over Mounties Wanderers FC.

Newly appointed head coach Aiden Desmond has a long list of achievements in the NSW Premier League competitions including multiple semi-final and grand final appearances in both NPL and Super League, and also a Division 1 crown with the Mounties in 2011.

Following on from Thursday’s fixture the Wanderers will travel to Coffs Harbour for a week long training camp which will conclude with the first ever pre-season A-League game to be played in the sun bathed city against the Central Coast Mariners.

What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook

LEAVE A REPLY