Sydney FC have come from behind in the Big Blue after goals to Max Burgess and Adam Le Fondre earnt the Sky Blues all three points in Melbourne.
Sydney FC 2 (Burgess 32’, Le Fondre 52’) def. Melbourne Victory 1 (Brimmer 26’)
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
MAK’S BLOCKED EFFORT – 20’ – Adam Le Fondre is denied by Acton with a good diving save and Robert Mak’s effort from the tight angle is blocked by Jason Geria.
BRIMMER SCORES THE OPENER – 26’ – Brimmer spots Andrew Redmayne off his line and curls in a free-kick.
LE FONDRE DENIED – 30’ – On the turn, the Englishman tries to dink one but Matt Acton throws a hand up and tips it over.
MAX BURGESS BRINGS SYDNEY LEVEL – 32’ – Max Burgess finds space on the edge of the box and drives one to goal which Acton can’t reach and Sydney are level.
LE FONDRE GIVES SYDNEY THE LEAD – 52’ – Joe Lolley plays a brilliant ball through the defence to Adam Le Fondre who takes a touch and slots it past Matt Acton.
JOE LOLLEY TRIES HIS LUCK FROM THE EDGE – 64’ – After the ball falls to Joe Lolley on the edge, he curls an effort goal-ward which leaves Acton stranded but floats wide.
What They Said:
Steve Corica: “I’m really proud of the boys, they put in a really good performance and played really well.
“I think in the last two games we have defended really well and two goals have come from spectacular efforts. They’re working really hard for each other defensively and that is deserved.
“It’s all about consistency, and nows the best time to show that. With the table so tight, if you get back to back wins you can be in that six.”
Match Report
Sydney FC travelled to Melbourne following a rough run of results which saw them sit near the foot of the table. Three points was the only option for the Sky Blues which would heap on the misery of Melbourne Victory, sitting at the bottom of the ladder.
After a tense opening twenty minutes, the first real chance of the game fell the way of Sydney FC with Adam Le Fondre released in behind and his effort flashed across the face of goal and required a strong save from Matt Acton to prevent it heading into the net. Robert Mak was looking to turn home the rebound but Victory defender Jason Geria threw his body at the ball and blocked the effort at goal.
Sydney FC would go to rue that missed effort at goal as Jake Brimmer spotted Andrew Redmayne setting up for a cross from a dead ball, and he curled it into the goal from an acute angle.
Adam Le Fondre was hungry for a goal and he almost had one in the first half when he turned quickly and attempted to dink one into the far corner, but Matt Acton in the Victory net was up to the task and palmed over the top.
As Victory looked stem the tide of Sky Blue momentum, a high Sydney FC press would turn the ball over to Robert Mak and when Max Burgess found space on the edge of the box, he drove an effort goal-ward from his weaker right foot which raced past Acton and into the net for 1-1.
After the change of ends, both teams looked for the go-ahead goal and it would come from the boot of Adam Le Fondre, not to be denied this time.
Joe Lolley picked up the ball and moved inside and after he spotted Le Fondre making a run toward the box, the former Nottingham Forest winger split three defenders with a pass which set Le Fondre goal-ward and the striker made no mistake as he dispatched the ball beyond the Victory keeper.
Joe Lolley almost added to the scoreline when the ball fell to him on the edge of the box but his curling effort ended up floating inches wide of the up-right much to the relief of Victory coach Tony Popovic.
The Sky Blues would create a few more half chances which fell to the likes of Robert Mak and substitute Paulo Retre, but with the lead, they knew they need not stress.
As the Victorians attempted to pile on the pressure late on, Andrew Redmayne was called into action in stoppage time as he tipped over a Will Wilson effort which ensured that Steve Corica’s side held on to all three points in front a delighted travelling Cove.
Next up for Sydney FC is the task of the Central Coast Mariners at home, and Steve Corica will be looking at using that game as the chance build momentum.
Sydney FC: 1. ANDREW REDMAYNE (GK), 2. JAMES DONACHIE, 4. ALEX WILKINSON ©, 9. ADAM LE FONDRE, 10. JOE LOLLEY (29. AARON GURD 90+1’), 11 ROBERT MAK (8. PAULO RETRE 71’), 17. ANTHONY CACERES, 18. DIEGO CABALLO, 22. MAX BURGESS (16. PATRICK YAZBEK 82’), 23. RHYAN GRANT, 26. LUKE BRATTAN
Unused Subs: 20. TOM HEWARD-BELLE (GK), 12. PATRICK WOOD, 21. ALEX PARSONS, 28. JAKE GIRDWOOD-REICH.
Yellow Cards: Caballo 20’, Joe Lolley 67’
Red Cards: None
Melbourne Victory: 1. MATT ACTON (GK), 2. Jason Geria, 3. KADETE (16. STEFAN NIGRO 70’), 6. LEIGH BROXHAM (28. WILLIAM WILSON 70’), 8. JOSH BRILLANTE ©, 10. BRUNO FORNAROLI (9. TOMI JURIC 77’), 11. BEN FOLAMI, 21. RODERICK MIRANDA, 22. JAKE BRIMMER (29. ELI ADAMS 86’), 24. NISHAN VELUPILLAY (26. LLEYTON BROOKS 77’), 31. MATTHEW BOZINOVSKI.
Unused Subs: 30. AHMAD TALEB (GK), 14. JAY BARNETT.
Yellow Cards: Roderick Miranda 48’, Ben Folami 72’
Red Cards: None.
Venue: AAMI Park
Referee: Alireza Faghani.
