The Wanderers earned a valuable three points - their second win in as many matches - with the highlight a Keanu Baccus stunner in the 54th minute.

"In the second half ... the boys were believing that we can get a result here, so that for me was more important than the win, the reaction at halftime in the changing room," coach Markus Babbel said, post-match.

"The boys were really honestly believing we can get a result here and this is the right way ... and in the end, the win is not stolen.

"It was a tight game because Victory's a strong side but, if I watched the full 90 minutes, I think the better chances, we had."

The opening goal was constructed by a combination of young Wanderers - midfielder Nicholas Sullivan slipped a ball through to Mohamed Adam. The striker cut back to Baccus, who unleashed a scintillating first-time strike past Lawrence Thomas into the top corner.

Eight minutes later, the Wanderers doubled their lead.

Thomas had to clear the ball after Mitch Duke forced a Storm Roux defensive error - but could only get it as far as Alexander Meier, who lobbed the Victory goalkeeper for the Wanderers' second in the 64th minute.

Victory clawed their way back into Friday night's match through a penalty in the 72nd minute.

Roux's cross found Kenny Athiu, with the striker's header clattering off Dylan McGowan's arm.

Victory skipper Ola Toivonen calmly slotted the spot-kick past Daniel Lopar.

They pushed hard for a late equaliser but were unable to find the clinical finishing required, with the Wanderers able to hold on.

The defeat puts early pressure on new manager Marco Kurz, whose side have failed to register a goal from open play across their first two games.

"We are disappointed; we are not happy 100 per cent with the way we played," Kurz said.

"We know that we have to improve a lot but the only thing I can say is we keep going, we are hard working and I am sure that we will score a lot of goals in this season."

Victory struggled for creativity and fluidity going forward, with Western Sydney's midfield - led by Pirmin Schwegler - stifling.

The first half lacked inspiration, with neither side offering many genuine scoring opportunities.

The best chance of the opening half fell to Meier, who turned a relatively straight-forward header wide in the 44th minute after some good build-up from Daniel Georgievski.

Victory started the brighter of the two sides before the Wanderers settled and took the sting out of the game, then took control in the second half.

Australian Associated Press