The Sydney FC National Youth League side fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Perth Glory in the opening match of the double-header at WIN Stadium, Wollongong on Saturday afternoon.
The Sydney FC National Youth League side fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Perth Glory in the opening match of the double-header at WIN Stadium, Wollongong on Saturday afternoon.
The away side scored the only goal of the hotly contested match through the boot of Stephen Walmsley after 41 minutes of play.
Despite the Sky Blues controlling the game with ease for a majority of the opening half, they failed to finish any of their chances. Errors began to creep in Steve Corica-s youngsters- game as they became desperate for the equaliser.
The Young Sky Blues take on the Central Coast Mariners at Pluim Park next Sunday (4pm kick-off).
Sydney FC had the opening chance of the game when a cross from Joel Chianese found the head of Young Socceroo Kofi Danning, but his effort fell harmlessly into the hands of Alex Pearson.
Sydney continued to capitalise on a stretched Perth defence, forced by the Sky Blues high tempo play and swift passing, with a clever move down the right wing where a poor clearance from Luke Austin-s dangerous cross fell to Chianese, but first time shot rocketed against the post.
Sydney striker Blake Powell was happy to sit deep and run at the Perth defence, which almost payed dividends when a side-footed effort at the end of a storming run forced a good save from Pearson.
With Powell relentlessly dropping deeper to receive possession, Sydney FC first-team players Danning and Brendan Gan were able to push up and use their pace and vision down the wing to beat the Glory-s labouring fullbacks time after time.
But in the 41st minute, Perth Glory shattered Sydney when they opened the scoring against the run of play, thanks to a neat finish from the right foot of Stephen Walmsley. It was a sobering blow for the home side to concede just before half time after dominating possession and controlling the game for most of the half.
The Sydney defence looked vulnerable down the left and Perth targeted that area once more with the half drawing to a close, and a first time shot from the inside the box only managed to find the crossbar, much to the relief of keeper Dylan Mitchell.
The best chance early in the second half fell to Perth winger Sebit Oyet who made a strong run down the left, and his shot on the cut-back forced Mitchell into a good save.
Justin Hayward made his way onto the pitch for Peter Simonoski not long after the break and the front man had a premium chance from just a few yards out as soon as he came into the fray, but scuffed his shot wide of the target.
Hayward looked to redeem himself not long after with a strong header which forced a world-class save from substitute keeper Timothy Doyle.
Doyle proved to be unbeatable as the second half wore on, making yet another wonder-save to deny the target-man Hayward once again.
Perth-s lone-striker Billy Quinncroft struggled to get into the game, but he had a golden chance to seal the three points late on when he ran onto a brilliant ball over the Sydney defence, but hit his shot agonizingly wide of the goal.
The loss ended a two match winning streak for Sydney FC youth.
Match Details:
Sydney FC: 0
Perth Glory: 1 (10. Stephen WALMSELY 41-)
Sydney FC Line-up: 1. Dylan MITCHELL (gk), 2. Sebastian RYALL (5. David VRANKOVIC 46-), 3. Antony GOLEC, 6. Jared LUM, 7. Blake POWELL (15. Tomislav CIRJAK 59-), 8. Brendan GAN, 10. Kofi DANNING, 11. Joel CHIANESE (c), 12. Giorgio SPERENZA, 14. Peter SIMONOSKI (9. Justin HAYWARD 56-), 17. Luke AUSTIN.
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Aaron LIDDELL (gk)
Yellow Cards: 12. Giorgio SPERENZA 11-
Red Cards: Nil.
Goals: Nil.
Perth Glory Line-up: 1. Alex PEARSON (gk) (20. Timothy DOYLE (gk) 46-), 2. Ryan PEARSON, 3. Anthony SKORICH, 4. Samuel MITCHINSON, 5. Dean EVANS (c), 6. Storm ROUX, 7. Cameron EDWARDS, 8. Brendan O-NIELL, 9. Billy QUINNCROFT, 10. Stephen WALMSLEY (11. Sebit OYET 46-), 13. Harry O-BRIEN (12.Sahr MUSA 58-).
Substitutes Not Used: Nil.
Yellow Cards: 9. Billy QUINNROFT 87-
Red Cards: Nil.
Goals: 10. Stephen WALMSELY 41-
Referee: Matthew Cropper
Crowd: 400 at WIN Stadium in Wollongong.
