Sydney FC have moved to the top of the Liberty A-League Women’s competition after a convincing 4-2 win over Newcastle Jets in the Hunter.
Goals from Madison Haley, Sarah Hunter and Mackenzie Hawkesby in the first seven minutes put the Sky Blues in control of the contest before the Jets pulled two back.
However Sydney FC struck a second half penalty through Princess Ibini and held on to secure the three points.
Sydney FC 4 (Haley 1’, Hunter 3’, Hawkesby 7’, Ibini 64’) def Newcastle Jets 2 (Konjarski 9’, Andrews 47’)
Moments That Mattered:
HALEY GOAL – 1’- King mis-controls a pass and allows Haley through on goal. The US import rounds the keeper and has the simple task of passing the ball into the net within 20 seconds of the kick off.
HUNTER GOAL – 3’ – Haley plays Hawkesby into the channel and the midfielder crosses for Sarah Hunter to sweep the ball into the net for a second goal in three minutes.
HAWKESBY GOAL – 7’ – Vine slots Hawkesby in behind the defence and she side foots the ball home for a third.
KONJARSKI GOAL – 9’ – Allan breaks clear on the right and squares it to Konjarski to tap into an empty net.
OFFER SAVE – 23’ – Andrews belts a free kick at goal which Offer dives full length to save and push around the post.
ANDREWS GOAL – 47’ – A right wing corner is scrambled towards goal by Andrews but then cleared, however the referee awards a goal.
IBINI GOAL – 64’ – Ibini is brought down in the box and steps up to send the keeper the wrong way.
What They Said: Sarah Hunter: “We were pretty hot off the blocks today. Maddy pounced on the first one and we gained momentum from there.
“We were all wanting to score in the first ten minutes but then they pegged one back which brought us back to reality however it was a really fun ten minutes.
“Conditions were on and off, we had a bit of sun and a bit of everything which was challenging but we’ve just got to deal with that.
“Ante was really strong on that and not getting caught up with the conditions and playing our football.”
Match Report:
Sydney FC has moved to first place on the Liberty A-League ladder thanks to a 4-2 win over the Newcastle Jets this afternoon.
The Sky Blues were 3-0 up within seven minutes thanks to goals from Madison Haley, Sarah Hunter and Mackenzie Hawkesby however the Jets almost immediately pulled one back in 9 minutes through Konjarski.
A controversial 47th minute goal from Tara Andrews was awarded when the referee adjudged the ball to have crossed the line following a scrambled corner.
But Sydney FC’s two goal lead was restored soon after when Ibini slotted home from the penalty spot after she had been brought down.
The win moves Sydney FC above Melbourne City ahead of their game tomorrow afternoon.
Sydney FC: 30 Katie OFFER (GK),3. Charlotte MCLEAN, 6. Sarah HUNTER, 9. Madison HALEY (8. Rachel LOWE 76’), 11. Cortnee VINE, 12. Natalie TOBIN (C), 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY (2. Mary STANIC-FLOODY 86’), 16. Deborah-Anne DE LA HARPE, 19. Charlize RULE, 20. Princess IBINI-ISEI, 21. Shay HOLLMAN.
Unused Subs: 60. Tahlia FRANCO , 4. Anna GREEN, 14. Abbey LEMON.
Yellow Cards: Haley 72’,
Red Cards: None
Newcastle Jets: 20. Claire COELHO (GK), 3. Emily GARNIER, 6. Cassidy DAVIS, 9. Tara ANDREWS (10. Sophie STAPLEFORD 83’), 13. Lauren ALLAN (25. Lara GOOCH 83’), 14. Lucy JOHNSON, 18. Taren KING, 19. Ashlee BRODIGAN, 22. Cannon CLOUGH, 23. Teigan ALLEN, 29. Adriana KONJARSKI (11. Tessa TAMPLIN 58’).
Unused Subs: 32. Emma OLSEN, 5. Leia PUXTY.
Yellow Cards: None.
Red Cards: None
Venue: No 2 Sportsground.
Referee: Anna-Marie Keighley.
