Mariners picked apart by ruthless Sky Blues

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Sydney FC made amends for last week’s loss in the National Premier Leagues NSW men’s season with a dominant 4-0 win over North Shore Mariners at Lambert Park on Sunday. 

Jimmy Van Weeren’s Sky Blues made up for their 4-0 loss to Marconi by venting their frustrations against North Shore, with Sydney dominating the majority of the match.

Sydney FC were firmly on top of proceedings when the opening goal came in the 14th minute. North Shore were lethargic once they cleared Sydney’s corner, giving Thomas Fay the time to whip in a slick ball to the back post onto the head of Patrick Flottman who made no mistake.

Jordan Swibel took some time to get into his groove but he flicked the switch when North Shore lost possession in midfield and spotted Ryan Wood off his line. The young attacker scored a David Beckham-esque long range goal from inside his own half on 35 minutes.

Very few chances were being created by Mariners with live-wire Panny Nikas struggling to get touches on the ball and Emmanuel Peters seeing most of his movement in his own half linking up play.

Sydney FC heaped more pressure onto their opponents when Jake Hollman skipped past North Shore’s midfield before a nice slide rule pass found Jayden Kucharski.

The winger cut in and placed a calm finish into the bottom corner on stoppage time to make it 3-0.

Luke Ivanovic’s withdrawal on 41 minutes caused concern for Sydney FC. He was replaced by Benjamin Koop.

Edward Caspers was replaced for the second half for North Shore, who played with a new lease of life. Substitute Daniel Saric’s introduction on the right-hand side was reaping dividends for Haywood.

Mitchell Smith came close with his attack onto the near post but his effort trickled wide.

Koop and Swibel had a number of chances squandered but the result was put beyond doubt when Hollman crossed for Swibel to comfortably head into the net to make it 4-0 with ten minutes remaining.

“We could have had easy five or six today,” said Van Weeren. “We obviously want more from youth players and we think they are capable of converting more chances.”

North Shore coach Joe Haywood was disappointed in Van Weeren’s post-match comments and said his team just didn’t come into the match with the right attitude.

“I think it’s disrespectful to say it could have been five or six,” said Haywood. “I think we had the better chance in the first half missed.

“Overall it was disappointing, i didn’t think we were organised and was disappointed with our shape. The team turned up with the wrong attitude today.”

North Shore Mariner’s undefeated start to the season is over while Sydney FC shoot ahead of their opponents into third place.

Match Stats

North Shore Mariners 0

Sydney FC 4 (Patrick Flottman 14’, Jordi Swibel 35’, 80’, Jaiden Kucharski 45’)

Sunday 15th March, 2020

Lambert Park, Leichhardt 

Referee: Michael Bailey

Assistant Referees: S. Edeling, A. Mosnani

Fourth Official: N. Ryan

North Shore Mariners: 1.Ryan Wood (GK), 7.Hugo Forlico (26. Daniel Olaniran 69’) 9.Braden Cheng, 11. Emmanuel Peters, 14.Jesse Piriz, 16.Daniel Dias (23.Damir Prodanovic 67’) 18.Mitchell Smith, 20. Eddie Lee, 21. Joel Tinker, 22. Edward Caspers (19.Daniel Saric 45’), 27. Panny Nikas, 30. Zac Sfiligoi, 32. Brian Jamba,

Substitutes Not Used: 21. Joel Tinker, 20. Eddie Lee

Yellow Cards: Zac Sfiligoi 25’, Dylan Dias 30’, Brian Jamba 86’

Red Cards: Nil

Sydney FC Youth: 1. Adam Pavlesic (GK), 3. Aaron Gurd, 4. Anton Mlinaric, 5. Thomas Fay, 6. Calum Nieuwenhof, 7. Jake Hollman, 11. Jaiden Kucharski, (18. Cameron Peupion 75’), 13. Jordan Swibel, 14. Luke Ivanovic (9. Benjamin Koop 41’), 15. Scott Browning (8. Stevan Stanic-Floody 85’), 17. Callum Talbot, 19. Patrick Flottman, 20. Levi Kaye,

Substitutes Not Used: 1. Adam Pavlesic (GK), 3. Aaron Gurd,

Yellow Cards: Thomas Fay 49’, Jake Hollman 51’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Jake Hollman (SFC)

2 – Jordan Swibel (SFC)

1 – Thomas Fay (SFC)