Sydney FC have moved top of the Westfield W-League ladder after a 2-0 Sydney Derby win over rivals Western Sydney Wanderers to remain the only team with a 100 per cent record.
Sydney FC 2 (Hawkesby (pen.) 31’, Brush 66′) Western Sydney Wanderers FC 0
Sydney FC have moved top of the Westfield W-League ladder after a 2-0 Sydney Derby win over rivals Western Sydney Wanderers to remain the only team with a 100 per cent record.
Moments That Mattered:
BRUSH CHANCE – 2’ – An early chance falls the way of the Sky Blue centre half whose header goes just over the bar.
HAWKESBY GOAL – 31’ – Ibini is brought down in the box and the official signals to the spot. Hawkesby makes no mistake slotting the ball home as the keeper is sent the opposite way.
SIEMSEN AND HAWKESBY SO CLOSE – 40’ – The Sky Blues come agonisingly close to doubling the lead in quick succession with Siemens hitting the near post and Hawkesby almost netting a brace with a finessed effort that hits the crossbar.
SIEMSEN CHANCE – 65’ – Green beats her opposite number in the box to square for the Sky Blues forward whose close range effort is cleared off the line and away from danger.
BRUSH GOAL – 66’ – A corner is not dealt with by Western Sydney and Brush is there to capitalise, blasting the ball into the rough of the net with her volleyed effort.
The first stanza of the contest was largely bogged down in midfield as both teams attempted to fight through the occasion and gain a stranglehold on the derby.
Sydney FC began to come into the contest around the half hour mark and were rewarded when Ibini was brought down after some neat footwork in the box. The resultant penalty was coolly slotted away by Hawkesby to send the Sky Blues ahead.
From here out, the ladies controlled the game and were unlucky not to double the lead five minutes before the half as two quick fire chances to Siemsen and Hawkesby hit the post and crossbar respectively.
Sydney FC imposed themselves further in the contest following the restart, looking the most likely to notch the next goal with a number of attacking moves being thwarted at the last by a penned in Western Sydney defence.
The pressure soon told after the hour when centre-half Brush riffled home from close range with a powerful volley to double the Sky Blues advantage.
The second Sydney Derby win this season puts Ante Juric’s squad outright top of the W-League ladder following a perfect start to the season with three win from three games.
What they said:
What they said: Ante Juric: “I didn’t think we were at our best but what I was pleased with, was that defensively I thought we were able to stay strong.
“It was a bit of a battle but I couldn’t ask more in terms of the attitude defensively.
Teresa Polias: “We knew they were going to come out and try and bully us, but we found our feet and I’m really proud of the girls.
“Macca stepping up for the penalty was fantastic and I’m so happy for her.”
Sydney FC: 1. Jada MATHYSSEN-WHYMAN (GK), 2. Teresa POLIAS, 3. Charlotte McLEAN (17. Angelique HRISTODOULOU 76’), 5. Ally GREEN, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 10. Remy SIEMSEN, 11. Courtnee VINE (78′ 9. Allira TOBY), 12. Natalie TOBIN, 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY (6. Clare WHEELER 57’), 18. Taylor RAY (8. Rachael LOWE 57’), 20. Princess IBINI.
Subs: 30. Katie OFFER (GK).
Yellow Cards: 3. Charlotte McLEAN 48’, 8. Rachael LOWE 83′.
Red Cards: None.
Western Sydney Wanderers FC: 20. Courtney NEWBON (GK), 2. Caitlin COOPER (3. Nikola ORIGILL 45+3’), 4. Margoux CHAUVET, 5. Courtney NEVIN, 6. Olivia PRICE, 7. Chloe MIDDLETON, 10. Libby COPUS-BROWN, 11. Danika MATOS, 12. Julie RUSSELL, 15. Rose GALEA (13. Georgia YEOMAN-DALE 69’), 19. Leena KHAMIS.
Subs: 1. Sarah WILLACY (GK), 14. Aideen KEANE, 16. Isabel GOMEZ.
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None.
Venue: ANZ Stadium
Referee: Kelly Jones
