Despite going ahead, Sydney FC have been pegged back by Melbourne City and fell 2-1 at AAMI Park.
Mackenzie Hawkesby opened the scoring however two second half goals on Saturday night ensured the points stayed in Melbourne despite a resilient performance from the Sky Blues
Sydney FC 1 (Hawkesby 13’) def. by Melbourne City 2 (Speckmairer 46’, Henry 89′)
Moments That Mattered
13’ | HAWKESBY OPENS THE SCORING – Sydney FC press Melbourne City high and force an error with the ball falling to Hawkesby who turns and finishes into the back of the net.
16′ | IBINI’S SHOT DRIFTS WIDE – Once again the Sky Blues press Melbourne City and a chance falls to Princess Ibini however she can’t convert.
39′ | MASON-JONES HOLDS WELL – Beth Mason-Jones does really well to hold a strong strike in some heavy rain.
46′ | MELBOURNE CITY FIND THE NET – Mariana Speckmaier runs from inside her own half and rifles a shot past Beth Mason-Jones.
80′ | LUCHTMEIJER TESTS MIERES – The teenager gets the break of the ball and then brings a smart stop from the City goalkeeper.
89′ | HENRY WINS IT FOR THE HOSTS – Bryleeh Henry nets her first goal in over 700 days to win it for Melbourne City.
Match Report
Sydney FC have fallen to defeat at AAMI Park after Mackenzie Hawkesby’s first half opener was cancelled out by Mariana Speckmaier and Bryleeh Henry in the second 45.
The Sky Blues started the first half with intensity and the game plan was simple, press the City back line and wait for the error.
And within the opening 15 minutes they found their success as Laura Hughes was pressed by four Sydney FC players and her attempted flick back to her keeper instead landed at the feet of Mackenzie Hawkesby who turned and slotted it past Mieres for the first goal of the evening.
It was almost a carbon copy moments later as Princess Ibini found the ball at her feet following some slack passing from City, however her shot was dragged wide of the post.
City were woken from their early slumber and began to pepper the Sky Blue goal with shots.
Beth Mason-Jones had to be smart to deny Taylor Otto who poked at a corner and then held really well in driving rain late in the first half from a fierce volley from Rhianna Pollicina.
Sadly, less than a minute into the second half, she could not deny Mariana Speckmaier from range as the hosts drew level.
The Venezuelan picked up the ball inside her own half and drove forward unchallenged to the edge of the box where she rifled one into the net from outside the area.
Lourdes Bosch cut inside halfway through the second half however Mason-Jones was up to the task and she continued to build her confidence for the new side with two impressive claims from corners with plenty of bodies around her.
With Amber Luchtmeijer coming on and adding some fresh legs, she almost netted her second Ninja A-League goal with a brilliant volley inside the area however Meires plunged to her right to push it away from danger.
The hosts would have one final say though and it came from substitute Bryleeh Henry.
She was found by Lourdes Bosch and her first time finish snuck past Mason-Jones and into the back of the net.
The Sky Blues will now have the International Break to recover ahead of a home match against Brisbane Roar on the 2nd of March.
What They Said
Mackenzie Hawkesby: “To concede that late is frustrating. It’s tough, it’s been a tough season for us but we need to keep going.”
On playing striker: “It’s a new role but I am enjoying it and Ante has given me the freedom to pop inside and I feel like I’m getting goal scoring opportunities.
“We just have to keep going. We are conceding goals and we need to be tighter defensively and at the end of the day we need to score more goals and that’s my job.”
Sydney FC: 28. Bethany MASON-JONES (GK), 4. Tori TUMETH, 6. Shay HOLLMAN, 12. Nat TOBIN (C), 14. Abbey LEMON, 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY, 16. Jordan THOMPSON, 20. Princess IBINI (21. Lucy JOHNSON 73′), 22. Indiana DOS SANTOS, 24. Caley TALLON-HENNIKER, 26. Maddie CASPERS (18. Amber LUCHTMEIJER 60′).
Unused Subs: 13. Jasmine BLACK (GK), 3. Faye BRYSON, 23. Rubi SULLIVAN.
Yellow Cards: Thompson 11′,
Red Cards: None.
Melbourne City: 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 5. Taylor OTTO, 6. Leticia McKENNA (18. Leah DAVIDSON 90’+2′), 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 9. Holly McNAMARA (22. Bryleeh HENRY. 79′), 10. Rhianna POLLICINA (12. Shelby McMAHON 67′), 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 14. Laura HUGHES, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN (27. Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC 67′), 17. Mariana SPECKMAIER, , 19. Lourdes BOSCH.
Unused Subs: 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK).
Yellow Cards: Bosch 63′
Red Cards: None
Venue: AAMI Park
Referee: Isabella Mossin
Attendance: 1,216
