SUMMARY
Sydney FC 2 (Le Fondre 12’, 55’(p)) def. Newcastle Jets (Thurgate 33’)
An Adam Le Fondre brace was enough for the Sky Blues, as they recorded a 2-1 victory against Newcastle Jets in a behind closed doors clash at Leichhardt Oval on Wednesday afternoon.
An early goal from the Englishman was easily the highlight of the game for Sydney FC, as he curled it beautifully into the top right corner from just inside the penalty area, providing a glimpse of the class he will bring to the side this season.
The Sky Blues continued to mount plenty of pressure and created their fare share of chances in the first 45 minutes, but couldn’t increase their lead as Angus Thurgate sidefooted home from close range to ensure the scores were locked at half time.
The second half remained quite similar to the first, with Sydney FC creating the majority of the chances and pushing forward impressively, and a 55th minute penalty from Le Fondre was enough to secure the victory.
The match was also marquee signing Siem de Jong’s first full 90 minutes in Sky Blue and he showed all his experience, creating a number of opportunities throughout the match.
The side will now look forward to next week’s FFA Cup Quarter Final fixture away against Avondale FC as they push their claim for another title.
WHAT THEY SAID
Adam Le Fondre:
On today’s game: “It was a real good game, we controlled large parts of it and we got quite a lot out of it. Getting the win is always a plus as well.”
On his own performance and settling into the team: “I’m feeling really good, the boys have been very welcoming towards me and it’s a great set up here. I’m geared up for plenty of success here this season and we’ll keep continuing what we’ve been doing so far in pre-season.”
On next week’s FFA Cup game vs Avondale: “We’re all looking forward to the game next week. Games always get bigger the further you progress in the Cup, and I’m here to win things as I’m sure all the other boys are too. There’s a great winning tradition here.”
GOALS
12’ LE FONDRE SHOWS HIS CLASS – Le Fondre creates something out of nothing with a beautiful curling shot from just inside the box, which beat the keeper and sailed into the top right corner to open the scoring.
32’ THURGATE GOAL – After a host of chances for the Sky Blues at the other end, Angus Thurgate pounced on a ball inside the box and buried it for Newcastle to level the scores.
55’ LE FONDRE PENALTY – An infringement by a Newcastle defender just inside the box gifted Le Fondre his second goal of the afternoon, this time drilling it home from the spot, leaving the keeper no chance.
KEY MOMENTS
10’ VAN DER LINDEN CLEARANCE – After end-to-end football from both sides in the opening exchanges, a nice piece of build up play from the Jets is diffused by the head of Jop Van der Linden.
23’ MOUNTING PRESSURE CREATES CHANCE – Plenty of ongoing pressure applied by the Sky Blues led to a nice pass in behind from Rhyan Grant to Siem de Jong, creating an opportunity as the Dutchman sent it low into the six-yard box however it couldn’t find one of his teammates.
30’ CHANCE BLOCKED – After a break and plenty of persistence from Grant the Sky Blues looked certain to score, as it ended up at the feet of de Jong whose shot was blocked from close range.
39’ LE FONDRE MISS – The Sky Blues continued to dominate leading up to half-time, and it proved to be a game of inches as Le Fondre’s flicked effort from close range just missed the near post.
52’ ANOTHER CHANCE FOR SYDNEY FC – A lofted cross into the area found Le Fondre who headed wide as the Sky Blues continued to dominate possession and create chances at the start of the second half.
64’ REDMAYNE SAVE – A promising break from the Jets created a one-on-one chance with Andrew Redmayne, who came off his line and blocked the shot magnificently before the Sky Blues defence rallied and cleared it away from the goal line.
78’ O’NEILL CHANCE – Sydney FC continued to attack and search for goals deep into the second half, and a one-on-one chance for Brandon O’Neill was stopped well by the Newcastle keeper.
TEAM NEWS
Sydney FC 2 (Le Fondre 12’, 55’(p)) def. Newcastle Jets 1 (Thurgate 32’)
Ground: Leichhardt Oval
Sydney FC: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 4. Alex WILKINSON (Aaron CALVER 70’), 5. Jop VAN DER LINDEN, 6. Joshua BRILLANTE, 7. Michael ZULLO, 9. Adam LE FONDRE (Charles LOKOLI-NGOY 81’), 10. Milos NINKOVIC, 13. Brandon O’NEILL, 14. Alex BROSQUE (Trent BUHAGIAR 65’) (c), 22. Siem DE JONG, 23. Rhyan GRANT (Paulo RETRE 75’).
SUBS NOT USED: 3. Benjamin WARLAND, 19. Chris ZUVELA, 20. Alex CISAK (GK), 26. Joel KING.
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Newcastle Jets: 3. Jason HOFFMAN, 4. Nigel BOOGAARD (c) (Ivan VUJICA 70’), 6. Steven UGARKOVIC, 10. Ronald VARGAS (Kosta PETRATOS 70’), 17. Daniel GEORGIEVSKI, 18. Johnny KOUTROUMBIS, 20. Glen MOSS (GK) (Lewis ITALIANO 63’), 23. Matthew RIDENTON (Nicholas COWBURN 63’), 32. Angus THURGATE (Patrick LANGLOIS 75’), 37. Mitch AUSTIN (Gerry SYLAIDOS 57’), 44. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY.
SUBS NOT USED. None
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
