Sydney FC have moved within two points of ladder leaders Western United, after they defeated the Melbourne-based team 3-1 in front of a lively Leichhardt Oval crowd in what became a tense encounter.
Sydney FC 3 (Lemon 15’, Vine 69’, Vine 90’+2’) def. Western United 1 (Zimmerman 77’)
Moments that Mattered:
15’ LEMON GOAL- Cortnee Vine threads the ball to Princess Ibini, whose shot ricochets off goalkeeper Larsen’s legs and finds Abbey Lemon’s feet, where she slots it into the bottom left corner.
28’ VINE HITS THE POST – Taylor Ray lofts the ball, where Vine releases it and hits the left post.
69’ VINE GOAL – Ibini turns and lays the ball off to a running Vine who dribbles around Tyla Jay Vlajnic and cooly doubles the Sky Blues lead.
77’ ZIMMERMAN GOAL – From a free kick, Grace Maher lofts the ball into Catherine Zimmerman, who converts it into the bottom left corner.
88’ WHYMAN SAVE – Hannah Keane fires the ball towards the bottom left corner of the goal, but it finds the hands of Jada Whyman.
90+ VINE GOAL- Kirsty Fenton lobs the ball and finds Cortnee Vine, who pips it over the keeper and into the back of the net.
What They Said: Abbey Lemon: “It felt amazing to score. I haven’t scored in a while, it’s been a long time coming. I got that hit of adrenaline so I’ll be chasing that feeling again.
“I’m so happy I was in this game and so happy that the girls stuck it out through the end.
“It was a special day. My cousins, my family, my brother, my partner, and so many people here that were supporting me today, so it was really special.
“The Pride Celebration meant a lot to the team. We were all wearing pride scrunchies and ribbons to celebrate.
“It was really great to see all the support from everyone and just have a really good environment.”
Ante Juric: “I’m very happy with the result because they’re a strong team. That first half was exceptional and the second not so good. But to get the three points; it’s important.
“We’ve just been hitting our straps the last five six weeks, so we’re definitely at a good place at the moment.
“I’m just happy for Abbey because she’s had a lot of chances, and she deserves a goal and hopefully that does give her a lot of confidence.”
Match Report:
Sydney FC moved to second on the ladder and sit two points behind their opponents Western United with a game in hand, after they defeated the Melbourne side 3-1 at Leichhardt Oval.
A first Liberty A-League goal for Abbey Lemon and a slick double by Cortnee Vine proved enough to wave off the visitors, despite a Catherine Zimmerman goal in the 77th minute.
The game started at a fiery tempo, with both teams freely moving the ball as they found spaces in each other’s midfield.
As the sounds of a vibrant crowd echoed across Leichhardt Oval, Princess Ibini found the ball on the edge of the box, and her shot saw the keeper leave an open goal.
The ball met Abbey Lemon’s feet, where she slotted her first goal in the A-League.
After an initial Sydney FC blitz post-goal, Western wrestled the ball back into their favour, compressing the Sky Blues attack and moving into their final third.
Sydney FC had the next promising game chance when Taylor Ray released the ball to an open Cortnee Vine, but her shot smashed against the post.
As the half wore on, Jada Whyman still hadn’t been seriously challenged despite a classy touch in injury time. She ended the half with the fast-paced tempo they started with.
The Sky Blues started the second half on the front foot, where Sydney FC continued to stretch the Western defence.
Western United began to press and get a couple of sniffs on goal as the game hit the hour mark.
But just as the game crowd became slightly tense, Ibini cut the ball to Vine, who fired the ball into the back of the net.
Seven minutes later, Catherine Zimmerman reduced the deficit to one when she scored with her head from a set piece.
As full-time beckoned, Western controlled possession, but when Vine touched the ball over the body of Larsen in stoppage time, Ante Juric’s women cemented the three points.
Sydney FC will next travel across the ditch to face Wellington Phoenix on Sunday afternoon.
Sydney FC: 1. Jada WHYMAN (GK), 2. Margaux CHAUVET, 3. Charlotte MCLEAN, 4. Tori TUMETH, 5. Kirsty FENTON, 11. Cortnee VINE, 14. Abbey LEMON (9. Shea CONNORS 59’), 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY, 16. Jordan THOMPSON, 18. Taylor RAY, 20. Princess IBINI ©.
Unused Subs: 40. Jasmine BLACK (GK), 8. Darcey MALONE, 24 Caley TALLON-HENNIKER.
Yellow Cards: Fenton 66’, Connors 76’, Whyman 80’
Red Cards: None
Western United: 31. Kathrine LARSEN (GK), 2. Stacey PAPADOPOULOS (24. Julia SARDO 85’), 4. Jaclyn SAWICKI, 5. Aimee MEDWIN (34. Catherine ZIMMERMAN 71’), 9. Hannah KEANE, 11. Emma ROBERS (13. Avaani PRAKASH 56’), 15. Adriana TARANTO, 16. Melissa TARANTO, 18. Grace MAHER, 20. Keiwa HIEDA (19. Tyla JAY VLAJNIC 56’), 22. Alana CERNE.
Unused Subs: 1. Alyssa DALL’OSTE (GK).
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Venue: Leichhardt Oval
Referee: Rebecca Durcau
Attendance: 3,442
