Sydney FC 0 drew. with Western Sydney Wanderers 0
Sydney FC have gone outright top of the Liberty A-League after an entertaining 0-0 draw at a rain swept Leichhardt Oval, in which Ante Juric’s Sky Blues will rue a number of missed chances.
Moments That Mattered:
GALLAGHER MISS – 2’ – A poor back pass sets Gallagher free on goal but Whyman is out quickly to force her wide and she shoots into the side netting.
VINE CHANCE – 7’ – A great ball from Hawkesby sets Vine free and she bears down on goal but lifts it just over the keeper and wide.
HAWKESBY CHANCE – 9’ – A run forward by Hawkesby sees the Wanderers defence open up and she fires a left footed shot over the bar.
GALLAGHER BOOKED – 10’ – Gallagher is lucky to remain on the field after dragging Taylor Ray to the ground by her hair.
HAWKESBY JUST WIDE – 19’ – Great interception by Rule who feeds Ibini to cross to Hawkesby but her finish is just wide.
HAWKESBY CORNER CHANCE – 35’ – Hawkesby’s corner drops into the danger area and Rule is inches from tapping it over the line.
HAWKESBY CORNER HITS BAR – 40’ – A left wing in-swinging corner bounces off the crossbar and away.
HAWKESBY BIG CHANCE – 45’ – Ibini picks up a cross at the back post takes on the defender and cuts it back to Hawkesby who takes a touch and shoots but it’s blocked by the defender.
GREAT SAVE WHYMAN – 63’ – A great ball in behind by Steinmetz opens up the Sky Blues defence and Whyman is out quickly making herself big to block from Henry.
Sydney FC have gone top of the Liberty A-League after a frustrating Sydney Derby stalemate in which they had a number of chances to claim all three points.
Gallagher missed a guilt-edged opportunity in the opening two minutes when she went clear but after that it was a half dominated by the Sky Blues.
Vine and Hawkesby both went close while the latter also hit the cross bar with a corner.
Hawkesby also had a glorious chance in the final minute of the half but it was blocked by the Wanderers centre half.
The Sky Blues had goalkeeper Jada Whyman to thank for a brilliant second half save to deny Henry from close range.
It was all Sydney towards the end of the game as they pushed forward in search of a winner but the Wanderers defence held firm.
What They Said: Ante Juric: “It was disappointing because I thought we didn’t play well and when you don’t play well and to your standards it’s always disappointing.
“In saying that the conditions weren’t the best and to lose Remy (Siemsen) two hours before the game obviously makes an impact on the team.
“The first half I thought we had four really good chances. Outside of those maybe it was a bit 50/50 but we needed to score those early on, and then the conditions got even worse.
“But not happy we had one shot on target out of 14.
“One of our targets was to be top of the table and clear and we are that. We didn’t concede again and that’s credit to the girls.
On Remy – “They think it was food poisoning and she was vomiting on the way to the game so I think she’ll be ready for Wellington on Thursday.”
Sydney FC: 1. Jada WHYMAN, 3. Charlotte MCLEAN, 5. Ally GREEN (14. Paige SATCHELL 96’), 6. Sarah HUNTER (8. Rachel LOWE 56’), 9. Maria ROJAS (16. Khali JOHNSON 70’), 11. Cortnee VINE, 12. Natalie TOBIN, 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY, 18. Taylor RAY, 19. Charlie RULE (4. Jessika NASH 56’), 20. Princess IBINI.
Unused Subs: 20. Katie OFFER (GK).
Yellow Cards: Hawkesby 72’, Nash 74’.
Red Cards: None.
Western Sydney Wanderers: 1. Sarah LANGMAN, 2. Caitlin COOPER, 5. Danika MATOS, 6. Olivia PRICE, 9. Bryleeh HENRY, 10. Libby COPUS-BROWN (15. Rosie GALEA 69’), 11. Teigan COLLISTER (18. Ashlie CROFTS 69’), 14. Clare HUNT, 16. Malia STEINMETZ (12. Margaux CHAUVET 86’), 17. Sheridan GALLAGHER, 21. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS (23. Teigen ALLEN 63’).
Subs: 20, Sham KHAMIS.
Yellow Cards: Gallagher 10’, Hunt 57’,
Red Cards: None.
Venue: Leichhardt Oval.
Referee: Isabella Blaess
