A first half finish from Sydney FC striker, Sarah Walsh and a late goal from Danish import, Cathrin Paaske have lifted the Sky Blue women to their first victory of the 2009 Westfield W-League on Saturday afternoon against Canberra United.
A first half finish from Sydney FC striker, Sarah Walsh and a late goal from Danish import, Cathrin Paaske have lifted the Sky Blue women to their first victory of the 2009 Westfield W-League on Saturday afternoon against Canberra United.
Both sides went into the match searching for their first points of the season but Sydney was in control for most of the contest and survived a late surge to come away with a well-earned 2-1 win.
“It-s a good confidence boost knowing that we-ve won a game,” said Sydney FC Coach, Alen Stajcic after the match. “We didn-t play as well as we can but we-re on the board and we-ll get better week to week.”
Having made the trip down the Hume Highway to a chilly nation-s capital, the Sky Blues dominated the first half but only led 1-nil at the break thanks to Walsh-s finish mid way through the period. A through ball from Cathrin Paaske sent the Matilda-s striker on her way and for the second-straight week she delivered a quality finish to put her side in front in the 20th minute.
After its early success, Sydney had to wait over an hour to add to its advantage, with the first half provider, Paaske combining with fellow Dane, Julie Rydahl seven minutes from full-time and heading home from a corner to stretch the lead to two.
It was just as well. In the 89th minute the fast-finishing home side pulled one back through Ellie Brush but Sydney FC held out against last-season-s beaten Grand Finalist in injury time and came away with an important win.
Next up for Alen Stajcic-s side is a trip to Energy Australia Stadium next Saturday and a clash with the Newcastle Jets.
CLICK HERE to visit the W-League page of the Hyundai A-Leage website for a more detailed report.
Match Detail
Canberra United 1 (Brush 89-)
Sydney FC 2 (Walsh 20-, Paaske 83-)
Canberra United: 1. Lydia WILLIAMS (gk), 4. Chiung Ying LIN, 6. Ellie RAYMOND, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 9. Grace GILL, 10. Shu O TSENG, 11. Cian MACIEJEWSKI, 14. Ashleigh SYKES, 15. Nicole SYKES, 16. Ellyse PERRY, 19. Jennifer BISSET (5. Kahlia HOGG 59-).
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Jocelyn MARA (gk), 3. Bronwyn STUDMAN, 12. Snez VELJANOVSKA.
Yellow Cards: 10. Shu O TSENG 39-, 4. Chiung YING LIN 54-.
Red Cards: nil.
Goals: 7. Ellie BRUSH 89-.
Sydney FC: 1. Nikola DEITER (gk), 3. Danielle BROGAN, 4. Alesha CLIFFORD (5. Lisa GILBERT 86-), 6. Servet UZUNLAR, 7. Heather GARRIOCK (c), 8. Julie RYDAHL, 9. Sarah WALSH (13. Catherine CANNULI 87-), 10. Kylie LEDBROOK, 11. Cathrin PAASKE, 15. Kyah SIMON, 19. Leena KHAMIS (12. Michelle CARNEY 71-).
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Carla MONFORTE (gk).
Yellow Cards: 7. Heather GARRIOCK 56-, 10. Kylie LEDBROOK 59-.
Red Cards: nil.
Goals: 9. Sarah WALSH 20-, 11. Cathrin PAASKE 83-.
Referee: Peta McCallum (at McKellar Park, Canberra).
