Sydney FC 2 (Le Fondre 27’ 45+4’) def. Western United 0.
Sydney FC have bagged their sixth win of the campaign with a 2-0 win over Hyundai A-League newcomers Western United to claim their spot back on top of the competition ladder.
Moments That Mattered:
- Baumjohann Chance – 13’ – A long-range effort from the German swirls towards goal but is palmed clear by Kurto.
- Le Fondre Goal – 27’ – Le Fondre puts the Sky Blues ahead with a downward header off Baumjohann’s corner.
- Barbarouses Chance – 44’ – Following some smooth skills from Baumjohann, he releases the ball to Barbarouses in the box but the shot rolls straight to Kurto.
- Kone Chance – 45+1’ – A powerful long-distance effort from Kone lashes just past Redmayne’s goal.
- Le Fondre Goal – 45+4’ – Baumjohann picks out Le Fondre in the box with a fantastic cross who makes no mistake finishing back across goal.
- Barbarouses Chance – 48’ – A long-range attempt from the Kiwi curls just beyond the right post.
- Grant Chance – 75’ – The outstretched arm of Kurto saves Grant’s looping header off following a scramble in the box.
- Redmayne Save – 84’ – Redmayne saves low at his near post following a first time shot from Kone.
What they said: Adam Le Fondre: “A great performance from the boys, I think defensively we were outstanding today and we managed to pick them off on the break as well.
“We looked threatening with the tens and me and Kosta, so it’s thoroughly enjoyable playing in this system and we are reaping the rewards of that at the moment.”
The opening stages of the match tilted between both sides as Baumjohann controlled the Sky Blues front third and sent a powerful effort goal wards inside 15 minutes.
The German was rewarded for his great start to the game, setting up Le Fondre to claim the opener. It was the same duo again, scoring Sydney FC’s second when Baumjohann found Le Fondre in the box with an inch-perfect cross.
Following the break, Barbarouses continued to scare the United defence with his runs beyond the defence as he sends a curled effort inches wide of the post.
Grant almost puts his name on the scoresheet with a looping header in the box that forces a save out of Kurto. Redmayne is called into action in the dying stages, diving low to stop Kone’s first time shot at the near post.
Sydney FC take out their first clean-sheet of the campaign as they jump back into top spot of the Hyundai A-League ladder.
Sydney FC: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 4. Alex WILKINSON, 5. Alexander BAUMJOHANN (18. Luke IVANOVIC 75’), 6. Ryan MCGOWAN, 7. Michael ZULLO (16. Joel KING 70’), 9. Adam LE FONDRE, 11. Kosta BARBAROUSES (8. Paulo Retre 85’), 13. Brandon O’NEILL, 17. Anthony CACERES, 23. Rhyan GRANT, 26. Luke BRATTAN.
Subs Not Used: 20. Thomas HOWARD-BELLE (GK), 12. Trent BUHAGIAR.
Yellow Cards: Luke Brattan 56’.
Red Cards: None.
Western United: 1. Filip KURTO, 2. Aaron CALVER, 4. Andrew DURANTE, 6. Connor CHAPMAN, 8. Panagiotis KONE, 10. Scott MCDONALD (5. Dylan PIERIAS 62’), 11. Connor PAIN, 12. Dario JERTEC (14. Max BURGESS 64’), 19. Josh RISDON, 23. Alessandra DIAMANTI, 26. Kwabena APPIAH-KUBI (18. Besart BERISHA 45’).
Subs Not Used: 3. Brendan HAMILL, 22. Ersan Gulum, 27. Jerry SKOTADIS, 30. Ryan SCOTT (GK).
Yellow Cards: Scott MCDONALD 19’, Panagiotis KONE 49’, Josh RISDON 90’.
Red Cards: None.
Ground: GMHBA Stadium, Geelong.
