Sydney FC opened up their Westield W-League 2014 account with a well earned victory against Ross Aloisi’s Adelaide United at Lambert Park, courtesy of two goals to American débutante Jasmyne Spencer.
Summary
Sydney FC 2 (Spencer 38’, 69’) d. Adelaide United FC 0
Sydney FC opened up their Westfield W-League campaign with a strong two nil victory against Ross Aloisi’s Adelaide United FC at Lambert Park tonight.
The Sky Blues were well worth the three points as they passed the ball around the field with aplomb with American import Jasmyne Spencer notching two goals on her debut. The score line could have been even higher with chances to both Amy Harrison and Natalie Tobin expertly dealt with by Lady Reds’ custodian Melissa Barbieri.
Spencer opened her account with 38 minutes gone as a lofted Sam Johnson cross found her at the back post, with the diminutive striker leaping highest to send a header in to the back of the net. She then doubled her tally midway through the second half to hand the Sky Blues all three points as she stabbed the ball home from a Sydney FC corner, sending the Sky Blues into next week’s encounter with Brisbane Roar full of confidence.
What They Said
Alen Stajcic: “I’m very pleased with the way we performed today. Adelaide are a much improved team and it was a really tough contest throughout the 90 minutes but I’m really happy. We had some really good passages of play and hopefully we can build on this heading into Brisbane and pick up some more points.
“There were lots of good little combinations and some of the patterns we’ve been working at training have really paid off so it’s really pleasing that our training effort has paid off and we’ve hit the ground running.”
Jasmyne Spencer: “It feels awesome to get off to a winning start. I only got in this week and all the girls were great at helping me get adjusted and I think it paid off today. They were behind me, they helped my confidence going in and it was a great team performance.
“It feels great to have scored two goals on my debut and hopefully I can go on from there.”
Goals
38’ SPENCER GOAL – Samantha Johnson burst down the left touchline, taking two touches to steady herself before whipping in a cross to the far post that debutant Jasmyne Spencer leapt highest to meet as she sent a looping header over Melissa Barbieri and into the net.
69’ SPENCER GOAL – After Amy Harrison’s shot was palmed away for a corner the ball was sent back into the box creating a scramble which saw Spencer rush in to stab home her second goal on debut for Sydney FC and effectively seal the game.
Other Key Moments
6’ DUMONT SAVE – Adelaide’s Powell is played through one on one with Dumont but the Sydney FC shot stopper races out of her box to clear the danger in what was the first real opening for either side in the match.
8’ HARRISON CHANCE – In an end to end opening period, Amy Harrison found space and time on the edge of the box to attempt a delicate chip over Barbieri which sailed just over the cross bar.
22’ HARRISON CHANCE SAVED– A long ball from deep from Servet Uzunlar saw Amy Harrison clear the Adelaide defence and charge through one on one with Barbieri, however the Matlida’s keeper manage to spread herself to parry the youngsters shot away for a corner.
29’ SPENCER CHANCE – Jasmyne Spencer expertly turned her marker on the edge of the area to send a rasping drive goal bound however it clattered off the post and out for a goal kick.
47’ DUMONT SAVE– Adelaide’s Woods lofted cross appears to allude Dumont however the Sydney FC shot stopper pulls off an acrobatic save to tip the ball onto the post and smother the resultant rebound.
62’ TOBIN CHANCE SAVED – Some neat one-two passing between Bolger and Tobin sees the latter played through one on one with Barbieri however the Matilda’s keeper again spreads herself well to smother the chance.
68’ HARISON SHOT SAVED – A loose ball finds its way to Amy Harrison inside the box with her back to goal. The youngster turns and gets a shot off however Barbieri manages to get a hand to the ball and palm it away for a corner which the Sky Blues scored from.
79’ BOLGER SMASHES THE CROSS BAR – A rebounding ball lands at Bolger’s feet who sends a rising drive into the cross bar with Barbieri stranded.
Team News
Sydney FC v Adelaide United
Ground: Lambert Park
Referee: Kiralee Andruschak
Head Coach Alen Stajcic started both of his American imports Jasmyne Spencer and Samantha Johnson, as Kyah Simon and Ellyse Perry both sat out through injury. Youngsters Amy Harrison and Chloe Logarzo were handed starting berths while Natalie Tobin made her starting debut for the Sky Blues alongside new additions Servet Uzunlar and Teigen Allen.
Sydney FC: 1. Casey DUMONT (gk), 2. Teresa POLIAS (c), 5. Jasmyne SPENCER, 6. Servet UZUNLAR, 7. Nicola BOLGER, 8. Amy HARRISON (80’ Heidi MAKRILLOS), 10. Renee ROLLASON, 11. Natalie TOBIN (80’ Olivia PRICE), 12. Chloe LOGARZO, 15. Teigen Allen, 16. Samantha JOHNSON (90+1’ Elizabeth RALSTON).
Subs Not Used: 20. Alyssa HARRIS (gk)
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