Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Albert Perez/Football Queensland

Palm Beach SC have been eliminated from the Westfield FFA Cup after a 2-0 defeat to Western Sydney Wanderers at Cbus Super Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Sharks battled hard but ultimately could find no answer to the Asian Champions, who opened accounts via Dimas Delgado in the firt half before Brendan Hamill wrapped up the result in the final five minutes.

The result marks the second straight year Sharks have been eliminated in the knockout competition by Hyundai A-League opposition.

Considered underdogs heading into the contest, the Sharks started brightly and saw the better of the early play as Nikola Mirkovic delivered the first shot on target five minutes into the contest.

However, Wanderers soon wrested the momentum and had the hosts under pressure with a pair of chances to captain Mark Bridge.

The visitors spurned further opportunities when attacking midfielders Mitch Nichols and Jaushua Sotirio both failed to make the most of well-crafted opportunities.

The breakthrough ultimately came just prior to the half-hour when Delgado scored his first ever goal for Wanderers on debut, heading in at the far post from a Sotirio cross.

Scoring opportunities were scant for Sharks as Wanderers dominated the remainder of the half, but the Hyundai A-League club couldn’t extend their lead as Sotirio twice failed to find the target in the final minutes of the half.

Wanderers continued to dictate the tempo in the second half despite suffering an early blow when Bridge was forced from the match with injury.

However, clear-cut chances proved elusive as Sharks defences led by centre-half Kristian Rees and holding midfielder Jason Campbell refused to relent.

The Sharks’ best chance came on the hour on the back of a series of attacking raids, however Floran Matk couldn’t find the target with a speculative effort form 20 yards.

Wanderers upped the ante in response with Nichols heading wide before substitute Nathan MacDonald drew a sharp near-post save from Shane Viitakangas.

The visitors increased the pressure but had to wait until the final five minutes to double their advantage - Hamill scoring his first ever goal for Wanderers to effectively seal the result.

Cheered on by their home supporter Sharks’ offered a final push but ultimately Wanderers remained firm to keep a second straight Westfield FFA Cup clean sheet.

The result sees Sharks become the second Queensland club eliminated by Wanderers this year after they defeated Brisbane Roar 1-0 in the Round of 32.

It also marks the end of Sharks 2015 season in all competitions after their final match of the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland season was confirmed as cancelled earlier today.

Palm Beach SC  0
Western Sydney Wanderers FC  2 (Dimas DELGADO 29’, Brendan HAMILL 86’)