Sydney FC showcased a valiant 2-2 draw against Melbourne City FC at Leichhardt Oval in their opening game of the 2025/26 Ninja A-League season, with goals from Madison Ayson and Mackenzie Hawkesby to come away with a well-earned point against the reigning Premiers.
The game was highlighted by a stunning debut by the youngest Ninja A-League Women’s player in history, 14-year-old Willa Pearson.
Moments That Mattered:
20’ | AYSON GOAL – Hawkesby whips in a ball of velocity towards the 6-yard box, Ayson rises above the rest beating Stott to the ball for a beautiful aerial goal, Sydney FC lead 1-0
46+1 | MCMAHON GOAL – A shot from edge of the 18-yard box clatters against the crossbar from Mckenna, Robertson at full stretch reaches to get a hand to it, however the ball bounces to the head of McMahon for an easy finish at the back post, level 1-1
51’ | LUCHTMIJER CHANCE – Galic receives the ball on the right wing, drives to the byline cutting back and passing a ball of power to Luchtmeijer who displays great positional awareness, but is unfortunate to mis-strike, and Mires comes down low to collect.
62’ | HAWKESBY GOAL – Hawkesby finds herself near the byline of the 6-yard box, her hold up play forces Keane into a foul causing Hawkesby to go to ground. The referee points to the spot and moments later the penalty winner fires it into the bottom left corner, Sydney FC lead 2-1.
69’ | PEARSON BLOCK – A through ball by Hughes towards McNamara causes danger for the Sydney FC backline, she looks up and fires the shot, but 14-year-old Pearson slides in hitting it away from danger.
75’ | KEANE GOAL – Keane turns away from the Sydney FC defender passing it to McMahon who leaves it for McNamara, manufacturing the one two play back to the run of Keane who nestles it to the far post.
Match Report: Sydney FC have earned a point against the reigning Premiers Melbourne City at Leichhardt Oval with a 2-2 draw.
The Sky Blues started their 2025/26 Ninja-A-League season fighting.
The opening ten minutes of play showcased moments of magic in all three thirds of the field, prying their way into the final third and getting past the Melbourne City defensive line, trying to find the opener.
However, Melbourne City bounced back quickly pressuring Juric’s defensive line and putting the ball into difficult areas to defend. It made for frantic work for the defensive line, with Tumeth doing well to block a shot of true promise.
Sydney FC continued to hold their shape, displayed by a lofted ball over the top of Turner to Tanner who controlled before hitting a shot of venom. It skimmed past the far post for a goal kick.
Two minutes later with momentum building, Hawkesby whips a corner kick towards the six-yard box, missing the keeper and to the path of Ayson who heads it home for a 1-0 advantage.
Juric’s side then set their defence, slowing the play and attack from the opposing side and cutting out passing lanes.
However, in the first minute of stoppage time a shot from Mckenna rattles the crossbar bouncing into the path of McMahon for an easy finish, both sides locked at 1-1 leading into the break.
The Sky Blues hit the ground running from minute one of the second half, battling for the ball and arm-wrestling in the middle of the park, making for a chance at the right hand side of the pitch.
Galic receives the ball, driving to the byline and cutting a pass back in to Luchtmeijer who mis-strikes, the keeper comes in to collect.
In the 60th minute Hawkesby dribbles at the byline, fending the ball away from Keane but a kick in the back of her leg puts her to ground. The referee points to the spot and Hawkesby hits it low to the bottom left corner for a 2-1 lead.
Ten minutes later, the Melbourne City attacking line crafted a moment of trouble for Juric’s backline. A through ball from Hughes finds the run of McNamara who controls and shoots, but the 14-year-old debut Willa Pearson slides in hitting it away for a throw in.
The away side continued to press and with 15 minutes remaining Keane receives the ball outside the 18-yard box holding it up and turning away from the Sydney FC defender. She passed to McMahon who’s instinctively left it for McNamara behind, who passed it back to Keane to nestle it into the bottom right corner and it ended 2-2
Post-Match Interviews: Ante Juric (Head Coach), Willa Pearson and Mackenzie Hawkesby
What they said: Ante Juric: “Overall happy, with the new team but a little disappointed in the end.
“I don’t look at age, if she’s [Willa Pearson] good enough to play she’s in, very mature and exceptional defending.
“Sydney FC and any team I manage, I expect to win and get a grand final premiership at the end of the season.”
Willa Pearson: “It’s amazing, thank you for everyone who believed in me and I’m so thankful to come away with some points.
“It’s a dream of mine [Matilda’s squad] hopefully we can play well this season and one thing at a time.”
Mackenzie Hawkesby “I think it was a first good hit up against City a quality side.”
Sydney FC (Home) | Formation: 4-3-3: 30. Tiahna ROBERTSON (GK), 2. Madison AYSON, 16. Willa PEARSON, 5. Kirsty FENTON, 4. Tori Tumeth, 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY (11. Laurie-Ann MOISE 86’), 21. Sarah HUNTER (C), 32. Bianca GALIC, 13. Riley TANNER (24. Caley TALLON-HENNIKER 58’), 7. Amelia CASSAR (26. Madeleine CASPERS 73’), 18. Amber LUCHTMEIJER (9. Jodi ULKEKUL 58’)
Head Coach: Ante JURIC
Unused Substitutions: 1. Heather HINZ (GK), 22. Alyssa ROSE
Yellow Cards: Riley TANNER 38’, Ante JURIC (Coach) 60’, Willa PEARSON 80’
Red Cards: None
Melbourne City (Away) | Formation: 4-4-2: 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 5. Taylor OTTO, 3. Danielle TURNER, 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 6. Leticia MCKENNA (7. Danella BUTRUS 87’), 14. Laura HUGHES, 12. Shelby MCHAHON, 18. Leah DAVIDSON (15. Chinaza UCHENDU 67’), 9. Holly MCNAMARA, 21. Aideen KEANE
Head Coach: Micheal MATRICCIANI
Unused Substitutions: 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 2. Ellie WILSON, 20. Caitlin KARIC, 10. Izabella RAKO
Yellow Cards: 15. Chinaza UCHENDU 81’
Red Cards: None
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney, NSW
Attendance: 3,013
Referee: Molly GODSELL
