The Sky Blues were too good for Newcastle in the Westfield W League.
Sydney FC has beaten a ten woman Newcastle Jets side 1-0 at Seymour Shaw Park on Saturday.
In humid conditions the Sky Blues dominated the first half with Sydney FC-s Leena Khamis scoring spectacularly in the 24th minute.
“We would have liked to have scored more to get our goal difference up because it might come down to that in the end but we-re happy with that one,” Khamis said.
Sydney were in attack mode from the get go, with a number of missed chances at goal as they maintained a strong possession throughout the first half. Sydney FC-s Sarah Walsh-s early shot on goal sailed wide.
“We lacked composure in front of goal; it-s just not good enough for this level,” Sydney FC coach Alen Stajcic said.
“Two thirds of the game was good. The front third lacked composure in front of the goal,” Stajcic said.
In the second half Newcastle managed to gain possession more frequently, but Sydney continued their offensive, but lacked finishing touch.
Sydney FC skipper Heather Garriock said “Our weakness was definitely in our finish in and around the box.”
Despite their lack of finesse in front of goal Sydney FC went into halftime ahead 1-0.
In the 56th minute Sydney received a free kick straight in front on the edge of the area but Julie Rydal-s shot was parried away by Jets keeper Alison Logue.
Garriock tried to inspire her team with several ventures down the left side but again to no avail as their wobbles in front of goal continued.
Newcastle had a chance to steal a point in the dying stages with a corner but was left empty handed.
Jets Coach Wayne O-Sullivan praised his side-s efforts despite the loss.
“Under the circumstances the girls did themselves proud. The signs are good; we have good people who are willing to work hard.”
Sydney-s next game is against the Perth Glory at Leichardt on November 21.
Detail
Sydney FC 1 (19. Leena Khamis -24)
Newcastle Jets 0
Sydney FC Line-up: 1. Nikola DEITER (gk), 4. Alesha CLIFFORD, 6. Severt UZUNLAR, 7. Heather GARRIOCK (C), 8. Julie RYDHALL, 9. Sarah WALSH, 10. Kylie LEDBROOK, 11. Catherine PAASKE, 15. Kayah SIMON, 16. Linda O-NEILL, 19. Leena KHAMIS.
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Carla MONFORTE
Yellow Cards: 2
Red Cards: 0
Goals: 19. Leena KHAMIS ‘24
Newcastle Jets Line-up: 1. Alison LOGUE (gk), 2. Elizabeth SHARPE, 3. Pelay INGLES, 5. Stacey DAY, 6. Amber NEILSON, 7. Gemma SIMON, 9. Kate HENSMAN, 10. Hayley CRAWFORD (C), 15. Renee CARTWRIGHT, 18. Leia SMITH, 21. Harmonie ATWILL
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Emma-Kate DEWHURST
Yellow Cards: 0
Red cards: 1
Goals: 0
Referee: Peta McCallum (at Seymour Shaw Park, Sydney).
