Sydney FC have continued their fine form during pre-season with a 2-2 draw with Newcastle Jets in a behind closed doors friendly today.
Goals to Pat Wood & Mathias Macallister for the Sky Blues were cancelled out by two goals from the visitors in a back and forth affair at Valentine Sports Park.
Ufuk Talay’s side started the stronger of the two and should’ve went ahead early in the contest when Rhys Youlley was found by Pat Wood unmarked inside the area but his effort went wide of the target.
It would be the Jets who would find the net first after Lachie Rose pounced on a turnover inside the Sydney FC area and slotted the ball past Gus Hoefsloot.
The Sky Blues looked to respond and were unlucky not to do so through Pat Wood who struck the up-right with a strike from the edge of the box. Unfortunately for Wood, his effort fell back to the Jets and they were able to scramble the ball away.
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The next action of the day would fall down the other end once more as the referee pointed to the spot and Max Burgess stepped up to take. The former Sky Blue midfielder saw his strike saved by Hoefsloot in net as he dove one way and saved it with his feet down the middle and the scores remained 1-0.
Talay’s side would equalise before the break after Youlley was slipped in behind and his cut back to Pat Wood was dispatched past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net to level the match.
The second half was much the same as the first with both teams flowing up and down the pitch trading attack for attack.
Gus Hoefsloot made a couple of key saves while Pat Wood, Joe Lolley & Tiago Quintal looked dangerous in front of goal.
Newcastle would go ahead into the second half through right back Tom Aquilina however substitute Mathias Macallister levelled the contest once more with a well placed finish inside the box moments later.
New Academy signing Jordan Graoroski came on as a second half substitute and played a delightful one-two on the edge of the box with Macallister who slotted his finish into the roof of the net.
There would be no more chances for either side as the Sky Blues saw out the draw and continue their unbeaten form to nine matches, conceding six goals in the process, two of which came today.
Staring XI: 1. Gus HOEFSLOOT, 4. Jordan COURTNEY-PERKINS, 6. Corey HOLLMAN, 10. Joe LOLLEY, 13. Pat WOOD, 16. Joel KING, 20. Tiago QUINTAL, 23. Rhyan GRANT (C), 24. Paul OKON JNR, 36. Rhys YOULLEY, 41. Alex POPOVIC.
Subs: 30. Alex ZAVERDINOS, 21. Zac DE JESUS, 22. Mathias MACALLISTER, 27. Lachlan MIDDLETON, 29. Joe LACEY, 33. Marin FRANCE, 34. Tyler WILLIAMS, 38. Taye HEDLEY, 42. Jordan GRAOROSKI.
