It was my own personal return to Wanderland since Round 10 on December 9 2012 - where the Wanderers defeated Brisbane Roar with a last grasp penalty. That’s basically 7 weeks since I’ve seen the team in red and black in the flesh. To say I was excited would be a complete understatement.

As always the Woolpack filled out hours before kickoff and newcomers eager to get a taste of the pre-match festivities were turned away. There were a few hundred fans waiting outside the home pub waiting (im)patiently to join in on the traditional march to the stadium. There were kids on their father’s shoulders, families, and those not yet old enough to enter the Woolpack.

Parramatta was enjoying Australia Day festivities and the march through Church St and Prince Alfred’s Park just added to the celebration. Many bystanders had never witnessed the colour and noise the march generates and every second person on the street had their phone out taking photos and videos of the mass of people in red and black streaming past them in full voice.

Prior to kickoff, the grandstands in Wanderland steadily filled. It seemed another bumper crowd was going to be on deck to witness a typical thrilling encounter by the Wanderers. The entire northern end of Parramatta Stadium had been sold out a week or so before this fixture. The Red and Black Bloc had been given permission at the 11th hour to have drums, megaphones and flags and these were all used to their full effect.

Last time we met the Heart, it was also at home and we all witnessed our first goal at home and our first win thanks to an own goal by Gerhart. Melbourne had been very hot and cold all season and their inconsistency with results was almost consistent enough to predict they would lose this week. We were all hoping that they would oblige.

The Wanderers had been away for a few weeks and it was quite apparent from the get go that they were fired up in front of their home crowd. Right from the kickoff chances were had at both ends of the field. And then the turning point of the match happened right in front of the Red and Black Bloc in the 13th minute. Jerome Polenz, one of the most consistent performers all season down the right side of attack and defence, was given his marching orders after taking down David Williams in the box.

The crowd booed the decision and Tadic as he prepared himself to take the penalty. The RBB Capo got onto the fence and orchestrated a proper chant that deafened us all. Tadic must have been distracted by the noise and movement behind the goals he was facing and his penalty reflected that. Covic, again and for the third time this season, saved the penalty and palmed it away. Beauchamp let his goalkeeper know how big that save was as he fired the entire team up.

Popovic made the call and surprisingly to some, Aaron Mooy was the sacrificial lamb to allow Iacopo La Rocca take Polenz’s place on the right side of defence. It made sense because we didn’t need two creative midfielders. It’s quite obvious that the Wanderers will never allow their defence to have gaping holes within it, so shoring that up whilst sacrificing the midfield was a tactical decision that in the end, paid off.

After all the early drama had transpired, if one were to switch on the TV to watch the game, they would be hard pressed to realise that Western Sydney were the team with 10 men. The team defended as a team starting from the front. Hersi and Cousin Dino put pressure on the Heart ‘keeper and defenders, forcing them to go long or scuff their passes. Somehow the Wanderers were dominating the midfield, despite being a man down in that area.

It was amazing to watch live (and later on replay). The Heart seemed lost on ideas. Western Sydney again, continued on as the well drilled unit they have made a reputation on becoming. They played for each other, creating chance after chance, getting closer to breaking the deadlock. They knew that the other Melbourne team had won earlier in the night so a win here had to be chased to stay right behind them on the ladder and move up to 3rd place.

And then Hersi was brought down clumsily in the box right in front of RBB. He got up and celebrated as if he scored, kissing his badge in the process. Shinji Ono stepped up in the exact same spot that Tadic had missed his opportunity to put his team ahead. The cool calm head of Tensai prevailed and he celebrated also by kissing the WSW badge.

From all accounts, the Wanderers deserved the lead and held on to the very end, even after a last ditch effort by Heart in the 93rd minute that somehow Covic kept out. An amazing performance by a team a man down for 80 odd minutes. The heart in the squad to fight til the bitter end shown through once again. The Wanderers have now won 7 out of the last 9 games. An amazing achievement and far exceeding all expectations.

Another awe inspiring moment that stood out for me was in the 65th minute, the entire stadium responding with the call and response from the Red and Black Bloc. First one side, then the other side, then the entire stadium. I had never witnessed this before, and it was simply breathtaking to see 14 thousand people get on their feet and scream out “We sing for Wanderers!” at the top of their lungs. Grella’s first (and last) appearance on the pitch since 2011 was lost in this absolutely amazing moment of team pride.

There is definitely no more flying under the radar anymore for Western Sydney. They are truly on it as they push for a top 2 spot. The gap between 4th and 5th is huge and a home final is all but guaranteed for the newcomers.

Post game celebrations included the team coming over to the home end and Shinji making a point to ensure everyone saw him kiss the badge (as we all missed it after he scored the goal) again - this shows how eager he is to remain with this club. He received a huge roar from the crowd for the gesture. You can tell he is loving life here in Australia and the warm reception he constantly receives from his home fans.

Then the entire team stood as one and led the call and response of “who do you sing for?” with the home end. Topor-Stanley danced around as Beauchamp waved a flag as if his life depended on it. Amazing scenes that are becoming quite common at Wanderland.

This is a team that plays not only for each other, but for all those people in the stands that have bought into the dream of the Western Sydney Wanderers. And we all know, both players and fans, that none of us will die wondering this season.