Sydney FC Y-League moved back to the top of the NYL table following their 5-3 win against Newcastle Jets in Newcastle on Sunday.
It was another goal fest following the 8-3 drubbing in Round 1 of the season however the young Sky Blues left it late to secure the three points to lead Conference B on goal difference from the Central Coast Mariners.
Although Sydney FC started the brightest it was Newcastle Jets that took the lead after fifteen minutes when Bailey Wells shot from distance into the top of the net for 1-0.
On the half hour mark Sydney transitioned out to the left and skipper Jordi Swibel chipped a ball to the far post for Marco Tilio to control and slot home the equaliser for 1-1.
However, just before the half time break the Jets grabbed the lead again as Blake Archbold cut into the penalty area to score from an acute angle and the Novocastrians took the advantage to the sheds at 2-1.
Within a minute of the second half resuming a delightful ball across the Newcastle backline from Ryan Teague cut out three defenders and into the path of Jaiden Kucharski who made no mistake to slot the ball under the keeper to restore parity at 2-2.
The Sky Blues took the lead for the first time in the match on 57 minutes when Swibel was sent through on goal by a penetrating pass from centre back Fletcher McFarlane. Outsprinting the defence Swibel drew the keeper before laying off a square pass for Kurcharski to score and it was advantage Sydney FC 3-2.
Newcastle continued to battle away and were rewarded for their efforts when Jack Simmons was fouled in the box in the 73rd minute. He coolly converted the spot kick and we were all tied up at 3-3 with 15 minutes remaining.
Substitute Benjamin Koop made his mark on the game in the 87th minute when he was played in by Swibel to rifle his shot inside the near post and give the Sky Blues the lead once more at 4-3.
Another second half sub Cameron Peupion secured the points in the fifth minute of added time following some combination play between himself and Swibel, who completed his fourth assist for the match, setting up Peupion with a clever backheel before the Joeys midfielder slammed his shot high into the net for the final score line of 5-3.
Sydney FC and the Central Coast Mariners both sit on 11 points atop the table however the Sky Blues hold a +13 goal difference compared to the Mariners +9 goal difference.
This sets up a enticing encounter with a top of the table clash this Sunday, 29th December at Jubilee Stadium 9:00pm kick off in a historic triple header following the W-League v Adelaide United (4:00pm kick off) and A-League v Melbourne City (6:30pm kick off).
Sydney FC 5 (Jaiden Kucharski 46’/57’; Marco Tilio 31’; Benjamin Koop 87’; Cameron Peupion 90+5’) defeated Newcastle Jets 3 (Bailey Wells 15’; Blake Archbold 42’; Jack Simmons 73’)
Sydney FC Line Up – Levi Kaye (GK); Callum Talbot; Aaron Gurd; Fletcher McFarlane; Tom Fay (Tom Main 81’); Calem Nieuwenhof; Ryan Teague; Jake Hollman; Marco Tilio (Cameron Peupion 69’); Jaiden Kucharski (Benjamin Koop 65’); Jordi Swibel (C).
Subs not used – Matteo Scali (GK)
