Ante Juric’s Sky Blue squad take the top spot on the Liberty A-League ladder after a Cortnee Vine masterclass sealed their a 4-2 win in Wellington.
Sydney FC 4 (Vine 18′, Jaber 42′ OG, Vine 55′, Thompson 74′) def. Wellington Phoenix 2 (Cox 63′, Speckmaier 71′)
Moments That Mattered:
14′ – FENTON DOWN – An untimely injury for Sydney FC defender Kirsty Fenton saw her assisted off the field by fellow teammates.
18′ – VINE TIME – Match captain Mackenzie Hawkesby launched a cross from the corner of the field. The assist found Sky Blue forward Cortnee Vine whose right-footed strike drew first blood for the match, leaving the score 1-0.
42′ – JABER OWN GOAL – Wellington Phoenix defender Tiana Jaber diverts Caley Tallon-Henniker’s cross into her own net, resulting in an unfortunate own goal.
55′ – VINE DOUBLE – an unmarked Vine slots a header in the left-hand corner of the net. Vine was assisted by Hawkesby following a set piece.
63′ – COX GOAL – Wellington Phoenix striker Isabel Cox capitalised off a header from close range.
71′ – WELLINGTON COMEBACK – The hosts add another goal after a right-footed strike from Mariana Speckmaier scrapes past Sydney FC goalkeeper Jada Whyman.
74 – THOMPSON STRIKE – American defender Jordan Thompson sealed the deal for the Sky Blues following an assist from Vine.
What They Said: Head Coach Ante Juric: “I was very happy with the first half in particular, the goals, but more importantly, how we played.
“The second half of the first 10 were okay and they changed their tactics and I think they went 4 -3 -3 and they went a bit more direct, so that caused a few problems.
“But in saying that, they didn’t have clear -cut chances outside of a couple of the crosses with Cox, who’s obviously dangerous.
“We’ve got six players in the Young Matilda’s, Princess got injured the day before our game, and she’s been one of our best players. So we put Viney in there, but she was ready to go, and she led the team today in everything she did.
“I’m super happy with the goals, how she created it, about her energy and closing. You know, when she does that, everyone follows.”
Match Report: Sydney FC continue their remarkable march towards a fourth consecutive Premiers Plate after an electric win against Wellington Phoenix in Porirua Park, New Zealand.
The round 20 match started with a bang and both squads wasted no time cementing early field position.
After an unfortunate injury for Kirsty Fenton in the 14th minute, Sydney FC regrouped and pushed through with a well worked training ground move from a corner.
Mackenzie Hawkesby’s right wing cross landed perfectly to Cortnee Vine found the left corner of the net with a first time strike on the half volley. It secured the Harbour City club an early 1-0 lead over their New Zealand host.
Sydney FC added another to their scoresheet just minutes before the half time whistle. Starting lineup debutant, Caley Tallon-Henniker, had possession of the ball down the right wing. After her cross beat the near post defender Tiana Jaber attempted to clear but miscued and put the ball over her own goal line to give the Sky Blues a two goal buffer.
Wellington Phoenix wasted no time in the second half as they attempted to claw back the match, but a foul and a yellow card by Mackenzie Barry gave the Sky Blues a chance to score a third. Hawkesby’s cross from the set piece found an unmarked Vine who’s header landed in the bottom left corner.
Wellington fought hard to catch up with the Harbour City club. Isabel Cox was the first to score for her side from a header from a cross by Macey Fraser at close range. Shortly after, Wellington struck again with forward Mariana Speckmaier scraping past Sydney FC goal keeper, Jada Whyman. Speckmaier’s right footed shot from the centre of the box landed in the bottom right corner.
However, Sky Blue defender Jordan Thompson with a shot just inside the box, nailed the final blow into Wellington’s coffin. The American was assisted by Cortnee Vine. The final score at the full-time whistle was 4-2. Sydney FC return home to Leichhardt Oval next Sunday afternoon to host Adelaide United.
Sydney FC: 1. Jada WHYMAN (GK), 2. Margaux CHAUVET, 3. Charlotte MCLEAN, 4. Tori TUMETH, 5. Kirsty FENTON (9. Shea CONNORS 14′ / 10. Sienna SAVESKA 90 + 2′), 11. Cortnee VINE, 14. Abbey LEMON, 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY, 16. Jordan THOMPSON, 18. Taylor RAY (8. Darcy MALONE 90 + 2′), 24. Caley TALLON-HENNIKER (13. Aideen KEANE 64′)
Unused Subs: 40. Jasmine BLACK (GK)
Yellow Cards: Thompson 85′
Red Cards: None
Wellington Phoenix: 1. Rylee FOSTER (GK), 4. Mackenzie BARRY, 6. Macey FRASER, 10. Alyssa WHINHAM ( 27. Helena ERRINGTON 69′), 11. Hope BRESLIN, 13. Michaela FOSTER, 14. Michaela ROBERTSON (2. Zoe MCMEEKEN 77′), 15. Daisy BRAZENDALE (3. Kate TAYLOR 59′), 17. Mariana SPECKMAIER, 21. Manaia ELLIOTT ( 7. Isabel COX 60′), 26. Tiana JABER
Unused Subs: 22. Aimee FEINBERG-DANIELI (GK)
Yellow Cards: Barry 55′
Red Cards: None
Venue: Porirua Park
Referee: Bec Mackie
Attendance: 1,010
