Sydney FC has defeated Canberra United 1-0 to claim their 3rd win in four games thanks to a Mackenzie Hawkesby strike late in the second half.
The win moves the Sky Blues to 10th on the table, keeping their slim finals hopes alive mathematically.
Sydney FC 1 (Hawkesby 56’) def. Canberra United 0
Moments That Mattered:
11’ | BERTOLISSIO CHANCE – Robers sends the ball into the box from a corner kick, Bertolissio gets up high over the Sydney FC defence, getting a header off, but it clips the crossbar going out for a goal kick.
22’ | TUMETH CHANCE – A corner kick from Dos Santos is delivered to the back post. Tobin heads the ball square and Tumeth gets a shot off, but Canberra United’s backline is up to the task, clearing it wide for a corner.
64’ | HOLLMAN CLEARS OFF THE LINE – A corner kick from Canberra United is whipped to the far post to Ayson who misjudges the trajectory kneeing it towards goal but Hollman is on the goal line and is able to get in the way and dispel the danger.
78’ | HAWKESBY GOAL – Farrow wins the ball off Ayson, giving it to Dos Santos who takes the ball into the box, before unselfishly squaring it to Hawkesby who rockets it first-time past James from just inside the box.
Match Report: Sydney FC have secured a crucial away win against Canberra United with a goal from Mackenzie Hawkesby in the 78th minute.
The goal was laid on by an unselfish assist from Indiana Dos Santos and a tackle from Millie Farrow, and it keeps Sydney FC in the running for a finals spot and moves them to 10th on the table.
The game began with Canberra United dominating possession and dictating the tempo of the first 30 minutes.
A chance in the 11th minute from Bertolissio via a corner saw her get up high and get a header off, but it clipped the crossbar for a goal kick.
Sydney FC created multiple chances from corner kicks, including an opportunity in the 22nd minute when Tumeth fired a shot from inside the six yard area, but it was deflected wide.
Sydney FC’s attack pressed for the remainder of the half and were unlucky not to create any meaningful chances heading into halftime level.
The second half displayed a spark of energy from both sides, slowing down as the game continued.
A big chance came for Ayson in the 64th minute via a whipped in ball from a Canberra United corner.
The defender was able to connect with the ball bouncing off her knee but Hollman did well to clear off the line and Ibini came in to dribble the ball out of the danger area.
Attacking pressure from Ante Juric’s side proved decisive in the 78th minute.
Farrow won the ball off Ayson, and Dos Santos ran onto the loose ball, dribbling towards the penalty box before playing an a cross to Hawkesby who wasted no time in firing the shot past the grasp of James to make it 1-0.
Despite Canberra’s late attempts to find an equaliser, it was to no avail and the Sky Blues should have had a penalty when Ibini was fouled in the box.
The result moves Sydney FC to 10th on the ladder and keeps their slim finals hopes alive with their first away win in Canberra in five years.
What They Said: Mackenzie Hawkesby: “At the moment we’re just trying to get three points every week and I haven’t actually won here in my five years at Sydney FC, so it feels good to win down here. It’s always hard to play here.
“Every week we’re fighting for our pride, individually we want to do well.
“We are Sydney FC. We’re a massive club, we have a really rich history, so it is important to win.
“They are a great team and really hard to beat down here. They have a great fan base so it’s huge to win here. I’m thrilled to beat them here.”
Sydney FC (Away) | Formation: 4-3-3: 13. Jasmine BLACK (GK), 14. Abbey LEMON, 12. Natalie TOBIN (C), 16. Jordan THOMPSON, 4. Tori TUMETH, 6. Shay HOLLMAN, 22. Indiana DOS SANTOS, 21. Lucy JOHNSON (9. Shae CONNORS 46’), 26. Maddie CASPERS (20. Princess IBINI 46’), 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY, 24. Caley TALLON-HENNIKER (7. Millie FARROW 61’)
Head Coach: Ante JURIC
Unused Substitutions: 28. Bethany MASON-JONES (GK), 3. Faye BRYSON
Yellow Cards: Shay HOLLMAN 32’
Red Cards: None
Canberra United (Home) | Formation: 4-5-1: 1. Sally JAMES (GK), 3. Elizabeth ANTON, 5. Madison AYSON, 28. Tegan BERTOLISSIO (13. Sofia CHRISTOPHERSON 56’), 12. Haley TAYLOR-YOUNG, 10. Mary STANIC-FLOODY (7. Jynaya DOS SANTOS 69’), 11. Emma ROBERS, 25. Darcey MALONE (4. Holly MURRAY 87’), 21. Aideen KEANE, 17. Maja MARKOVSKI (2. Alex Mckenzie 69’), 23. Michelle HEYMAN (C)
Head Coach: Antoni JAGARINEC
Unused Substitutions: 18. Coco MAJSTOROVIC (GK)
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Venue: McKellar Park
Referee: Rachael MITCHENSON
Attendance: 2,194
