Sydney FC maintained their undefeated run with a tense 1-1 draw with the Melbourne Victory at Lambert Park on Monday night.
Summary
Sydney FC 1 (Spencer 60’) drew with. Melbourne Victory 1 (Simon 86’).
Sydney FC maintained their undefeated run with a tense 1-1 draw with the Melbourne Victory at Lambert Park tonight.
In a re-match of last season’s semi-final, the game proved to be a real midfield battle with both sides controlling large portions of the match before Jasmyne Spencer scored her fourth goal in as many games early in the second half to give Sydney FC the lead.
It looked to be the fitting send off for departing Westfield Matildas Head Coach Alen Stajcic however Gema Simon popped up unmarked in the box to score with four minutes remaining to earn Melbourne Victory a share of the spoils.
The Sky Blues will now travel to Magic Park to face the Newcastle Jets as new Head Coach Daniel Barrett will assume his first match in charge.
What They Said
Alen Stajcic: “I thought it was a great game, probably the best game so far this year with the two best teams who are technically and tactically good. It was a really good battle and I thought we really dominated the first half an hour before the Victory came back into it.
“I thought the second half was a 50-50 battle but we just couldn’t hold on, they got the one counter attack and scored off it. Both teams could have won it in the last minute as well but I’m really pleased and it’s a good start of the year for us to build on. Just looking from a neutral point of view I think both teams will be championship contenders.”
Jasmyne Spencer: “It was a really good game and I thought it was pretty even. Although we controlled large portions of the game all it took was a little lapse of judgement that saw them come right back in.
“It’s exciting to score, every goal feels like my first one, so that keeps pushing me forward. We’re going to try and tighten up at the defensively and not let down at any moment and hopefully we can secure a win next time.”
Goals
60’ SPENCER GOAL – Amy Harrison picked the ball up on the right flank and with time to compose herself sent in a fantastic whipped cross that found Jasmyne Spencer on the run, and the American duly dispatched the ball first time into the bottom corner to put Sydney FC in the lead.
86’ SIMON GOAL – With time ticking away Christine Nairn drove towards the by-line with the ball, edging past Renee Rollason to cut back to an unmarked Gema Simon on the penalty spot who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to earn the Victory a share of the points.
Other Key Moments
15’ UZUNLAR CHANCE – A curling corner from Teresa Polias found Servet Uzunlar unmarked on the penalty spot, with the Sky Blues defender sending a powerful header goal bound that Brianna Davey did well to palm away.
26’ HARRISON SHOT BLOCKED – Some neat interplay on the edge of the area between Nicola Bolger and Amy Harrison saw the latter released into space however from an acute angle Harrison’s shot was deflected wide.
29’ HARRISON SHOT BLOCKED – Servet Uzunlar picked up the ball on halfway, driving forward at a retreating Victory defence on the counter. Uzunlar took on the defence before sliding the ball through to Harrison on the right edge of the box with a flailing Brianna Davey closing down the youngsters shot and conceding a corner which eventuated to nothing.
37’ DUMONT SAVE – From a Victory corner Amy Jackson evaded her marker to send a wicked first time volley towards goal however Casey Dumont was equal to the challenge as she plucked the ball out of the air to preserve her clean sheet.
41’ SPENCER CHANCE – Jasmyne Spencer races through on goal but Brianna Davey manages to dive low at the forward feet before she can get a shot off to quell the danger.
72’ DUMONT SAVE – Jackson bursts through the Sky Blues defence to send a rasping drive goal bound however Casey Dumont dives low to her left to make a fantastic save as she tips the ball around the post and out.
75’ DUMONT SAVES AGAIN – Dumont pulls off another fantastic save as the Victory pile on the pressure with Lisa De Vanna finding time and space on the edge of the area to fire a drive goal wards however Dumont again dives low to parry the danger.
90+1’ ROLLASON SHOT – In the final play of the game Renee Rollason collects the ball on halfway before driving towards goal. She bursts into the box and, with the crowd on their feet, drives a fierce shot towards the top corner however Davey gets her hands on it to preserve a point for the Victorians.
Team News
Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory
Ground: Lambert Park
Referee: Kate Jacewicz
Head Coach Alen Stajcic made one change to the side for his final game in charge as Chloe Logarzo dropped to the bench, still feeling the effects of last week’s match, while Teigen Allen returned to the side following her suspension last week.
Sydney FC: 1. Casey DUMONT (gk), 2. Teresa POLIAS (c), 4. Alesha CLIFFORD, 5. Jasmyne SPENCER (80’ Olivia PRICE), 6. Servet UZUNLAR, 7. Nicola BOLGER, 8. Amy HARRISON (90+2’ Trudy CAMILLERI), 10. Renee ROLLASON, 11. Natalie TOBIN (73’ Chloe LOGARZO), 15. Teigen Allen, 16. Samantha JOHNSON.
Subs Not Used: 20. Alyssa HARRIS (gk).
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