Ante Juric’s Sky Blue squad defeated the Western Sydney Wanderers 2-0, marking a historic 20th win in the Sydney Derby. The Liberty A-League squad remains undefeated in their last five matches.
Sydney FC 2 (Hawkesby 67’ / Tallon-Henniker 90+3’) def. Western Sydney Wanderers 0.
Moments That Mattered:
8’ – IBINI’S OPENING CHANCE – Sky Blue captain Princess Ibini attempts the first goal for the evening but after losing her footing, the strike narrowly misses.
16’ – HAWKESBY TAKES A SHOT – Sydney FC create another chance after a cross from Ibini lands in Mackenzie Hawkesby’s path. Hawkesby makes a second attempt at goal, but her shot was just wide of the net.
17’ – SOPHIE HARDING STRIKE – the first touch from Western Sydney Wanderers forward Sophie Harding is launched over the goal, keeping the score 0-0.
33’ – LEMON DENIED – Abbey Lemon’s strike is denied by Western Sydney Wanderer goalkeeper Sham Khamis.
38’ – LEMON CHANCE HEADED WIDE – Vine crosses to the head of Lemon who does well to find an unmarked position but the header goes wide.
67’ – HAWKESBY GOAL – Hawkesby steps up to take a penalty after Caley Tallon-Henniker was taken down in the penalty box. Coming off the right foot, she puts the strike into the bottom right-hand corner, making the score 1-0.
74′ – BRUCE SENT OFF – Western Sydney give the ball away and Vine has a chance to run clear but Bruce pulls her back and is rightly sent from the field.
90+3’ – TALLON-HENNIKER GOAL – Tallon-Henniker scores her first Liberty A-League after racing clear to put the final nail in the Wanderers coffin.
What They Said: Head Coach Ante Juric: “What an all around performance. I am glad for the club, for the fans and for the players. To be so convincing in a tough derby is extremely pleasing.
“The girls were ready to play today and that showed from minute one with the drive and determination.
“The players that came in due to absences were outstanding. In addition to see Caley play so well and score on her debut, I can’t be prouder.
“We will enjoy tonight, but we know we have some big weeks ahead.”
Match Report: Sydney FC ventured to CommBank Stadium to face-off their cross-city rivals, the Western Sydney Wanderers, in a classic Sydney derby match-up. The Sky Blues triumphed, winning their 11th game hosted by the Wanderers.
The first 45 minutes of play started with a bang. The Harbour City club created multiple opportunities to draw first blood.
It was Sky Blue Captain Princess Ibini who had the first attempt. Abbey Lemon crossed the ball to the skipper who made a forward charge for the goal box. Upon taking the shot, Ibini lost her footing. The strike narrowly escaped the goal post.
Mackenzie Hawkesby was the next player gunning to capitalise early in the match. The cross from Ibini landed directly in her path but her shot was just wide of the net.
Sophie Harding had the first chance for the Wanderers but her shot was fired over the bar.
Abbey Lemon and Kirsty Fenton were next to step up to the challenge. Despite their tremendous efforts, Western Sydney kept them at bay. The scoreboard was level at the halftime whistle.
The Sky Blues were the first to see numbers on the scoreboard after they were awarded a penalty. Sydney FC young gun, Caley Tallon-Henniker, went down in the penalty box after a tough challenge from Madison McComasky. Mackenzie Hawkesby took the strike off her right boot, successfully converting the penalty.
The Wanderers task was made even harder 16 minutes from time when Bruce was sent off for denying Vine a goalscoring opportunity.
In injury time, the Sky Blues capitalised once again. The through ball from Cortnee Vine found open space in front of Tallon-Henniker. From the left-hand side of the box, Tallon-Henniker’s right-foot strike glided past goalkeeper Khamis, marking her first Liberty A-League goal on debut.
The final score was 2-0, marking Sydney FC’s 20th victory in the Sydney Derby for the women’s fixture.
Sydney FC will return to Leichhardt Oval next Saturday evening when they host Western United.
Sydney FC: 1. Jada WHYMAN (GK), 2. Margaux CHAUVET, 3. Charlotte MCLEAN, 4. Tori TUMETH, 5. Kirsty FENTON, 11. Cortnee VINE (90+4’ 10. Sienna SAVESKA), 14. Abbey LEMON (45’ 24. Caley TALLON-HENNIKER), 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY, 16. Jordan THOMPSON, 18. Taylor RAY (85’ 6. Lucy JOHNSON), 20. Princess IBINI (70’ 9. Shea CONNORS)
Unused Subs: 40. Jasmine BLACK (GK)
Yellow Cards:
Red Cards:
Western Sydney Wanderers FC: 20. Shamiran KHAMIS (GK), 2. Victoria BRUCE, 4. Madison MCCOMASKY, 6. Amy CHESSARI, 7. Amy HARRISON, 8. Olivia PRICE (72’ 19. Talia YOUNIS, 9. Sophie HARDING, 10. Melissa CACERES (63’ 4. Ella BUCHANAN), 11. Danika MATOS, 15. Cushla RUE, 25. Holly CASPERS (63’ 23. Ella ABDUL-MASSIH)
Unused Subs: 5. Lauren KEIR, 1. Kaylie COLLINS (GK)
Yellow Cards: 66’ McComasky, 75′ Harrison.
Red Cards: 74’ Bruce.
Venue: CommBank Stadium
Referee: Casey Reibelt
