Sydney FC 2 (Le Fondre (pen.) 43’, O’Neill 65’) def. Central Coast Mariners (Simon 16’)
A thunderbolt from Sydney FC’s Brandon O’Neill secured three points and moved the Sky Blues momentarily up to second place on the Hyundai A-League ladder, defeating Central Coast Mariners 2-1 at Central Coast Stadium.
Moments That Mattered:
- Simon Goal – 16’ – Millar’s cross finds Simon at the back post to finish from close range.
- Le Fondre Goal (pen.) – 43’ – Grant is chopped down in the box for the Sky Blues striker to thump home from the spot.
- Van der Linden Chance – 59’ – The Dutchman’s free kick thumps the crossbar and goes out of play.
- O’Neill Goal – 65’ – An absolute screamer from O’Neill as he finds the top right from 25 yards out.
- Redmayne Save 73’ – A long-range effort is goal bound before Redmayne pulls off a great diving save.
The home side took the lead early in the first half as former Sky Blue Matt Simon’s tumbling volley trickled into the net from close range.
Le Fondre would get the leveller moments before half time with his thumping effort from the spot being too much to handle for Kennedy.
The Sky Blues capitalised on this momentum into the second with O’Neill scoring a goal of the season contender, thumping a shot into the top right and giving Sydney FC the lead.
Corica’s men saw out the result to claim all three points and move up to second on the table.
What they said: Steve Corica
“We started slowly, but second half was a little better and we came away with the three points. Terrific goal from Brandon and Adam keeps scoring goals.
“I think this season the performances overall have been really good and that was the first time we started slow. I didn’t have to tell them that, the club sets high standards.
“It’s not an easy place to come to and win, last season we had a loss at this time of year, so it’s great to get the win.
“We’ve got Siem and De Silva back next week, which is great for our depth.
“Siem’s the marquee and a quality player, Danny hasn’t played that much but he can turn it on and change a match.”
Sydney FC: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 4. Alex WILKINSON, 5. Jop Van Der LINDEN, 6. Joshua BRILLANTE, 7. Michael ZULLO, 8. Paulo RETRE (31. Luke IVANOVIC 78’), 9. Adam Le FONDRE, 10. Milos NINKOVIC, 13. Brandon O’NEILL, 14. Alex BROSQUE (24. Cameron DEVLIN 90’), 23. Rhyan GRANT.
Subs Not Used: 20. Aleksander CISAK (GK), 2. Aaron CALVER, 21. Charles LOKOLINGOY.
Yellow Cards: van der Linden 54′.
Red Cards: None.
Central Coast Mariners: 1. Ben KENNEDY (GK), 3. Jack CLISBY (23. Mario SHABOW 84’), 4. Jake McGING, 5. Anthony GOLEC, 7. Andrew HOOLE (8. Michael McGLINCHEY 66’), 11. Connor PAIN, 13. Aiden O’NEIL, 15. Kye ROWLES, 18. Matthew MILLAR, 19. Matt SIMON, 22. Jacob MELLING (6. Tom HIARIEJ 73’).
Subs not used: 12. Adam PEARCE (GK), 16. Joshua MACDONALD.
Yellow Cards: 5. Anthony GOLEC 45’, 22. Jacob MELLING 64’, 19. Matt SIMON 74’
Red Cards: None.
Ground: Central Coast Stadium
Crowd: 8,386
Referee: Daniel Elder
