Rangers no match for ruthless Sydney FC

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Sydney FC kicked off their 2023 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s campaign in style with a 4-2 win over Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Sky Blues were in fabulous form in the first 45 minutes with a trio of goals to stride out to a 3-0 lead. Defender Nathan Paull thumped home the opener before Jaiden Kucharski and Alexander Parsons made it three. Adrian Segecic fired home a fourth to confirm the three points.

For Mt Druitt Town Rangers, it wasn’t exactly new year, new them with a defeat in their first game. The visitors did pull it back to 3-1 just before half-time through Nikola Skataric while Nikola Djordjevic added a consolation late in the piece but were unable to make any further inroads.

Two sides which missed finals action in 2022 headed out onto a steamy Valentine Sports Park to get their 2023 campaign underway in the new format of the NPL NSW Men’s competition.

Sydney FC started the contest on the front foot. Adrian Segecic had a free-kick which was whipped over the bar as the hosts dominated much of the ball.

The Sky Blues thought they had their first big chance when the ball was headed onto the post and the rebound was tapped wide before the offside flag was raised.

Sydney FC did find reward for their bright start from the set piece. Defender Nathan Paull rose highest and thumped his headed into the net to make it 1-0.

Last year’s NPL NSW Mens Player of the season, Jaiden Kucharski was hungry to pick up where he left off in 2022 with a curled strike which was pushed wide by Mt Druitt Town Rangers custodian Robert Fanella.

The man nicknamed ‘Special K’ didn’t disappoint when he was offered a second opportunity. A quick passing move from the Sky Blues ended with him drilling the ball into the net for 2-0.

Not resting on their lead, Sydney FC pushed forward for more. They had a counter attack which was tapped wide then a short corner routine saw captain Oscar Priestmann fizz the ball over.

Sydney FC did extend their lead to 3-0 in the 43rd minute when Alexander Parsons found himself on the end of a Kucharski pass and slotted it home for the third.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers found some life late in the half. A delightful cross fell right to the foot of Nikola Skataric who swept it home for 3-1.

Both teams came out ready to go for the second half. They traded half chances underneath the setting sun at Valentine Sports Park in the search for three points.

Sydney FC restored their three goal advantage at a nice time for the hosts. Parsons started the move with a cross field ball which ended with Segecic making it 4-1.

The hosts showed their lethal touch from a defensive corner. Benjamin Gibson broke quickly and feed Parsons who forced Fanella into a crucial save.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers had a chance to reduce the deficit through substitute James Demetriou who lashed an effort wide of the mark.

Benjamin Gibson who covered much of the Valentine Sports Park turf almost added himself to the scoresheet with a thrashed effort but it flew wide.

The visitors did find some late consolation through Djordjevic. He lashed home from a corner to make it 4-2 in stoppage time.

Post match Sydney FC coach Jimmy Van Weeran was delighted with the effort from his side despite a few lapses in concentration late.

“I thought we were dominant.

“We controlled the game really well and the chances.

“It was a few lapses in concentration late in the halves which was disappointing. Importantly, most of the team had great performances and there was some exciting football played.” said Van Weeran.

For Mt Druitt Town Rangers coach Stewart Montgomery, it was a disappointing result but his side came up against a red hot Sydney FC team.

“We weren’t our best today and we were up against a good Sydney FC side.

“When they play like that with their squad it makes it tough.

“We needed to be at our best to match them.

“The second half was better, we controlled the play, had a few half chances.

“It leaves us with a lot to work on in a short turnaround which means we forget about it quickly. Positive however was that we scored a few goals.” said Montgomery.

Match Stats

Sunday 5 February 2023

Valentine Sports Park

Referee: Kelly Jones

Assistant Referees: Thomas Dale & Arinath Gobinath

Fourth Official: Mikayla Ryan

Sydney FC 4 (Paull ‘12, Kucharski ‘20, Parsons ‘43, Segecic ‘69)

Mt Druitt Town Rangers 2 (Skataric ‘45+4, Djordjevic 90+2)

Sydney FC: 2. Cameron Fong (11. Taylor ‘45), 4. Nathan Paull, 7. Ben Gibson, 18. Oscar Priestmann, 19. Adrian Segecic (10. Harbas ‘78), 24. Alexander Parsons, 25. Jaiden Kucharski (6. Scarella ‘45), 28. Jake Girdwood-Reich (21. Agosti ‘63), 29. Aaron Gurd, 30. Adam Pavlesic, 34. Max Buratto (13. Matthews ‘80)

Unused subs: 1. Harry Aquilina

Yellow cards: Fong, Burrato

Red cards: nil

Mt Druitt Town Rangers: 1. Robert Fanella, 3. Nikola Djordjevic, 4. Cooper Coskerie, 6. Jared Macerola (45. Faisal ‘78), 7. Nikola Skataric (15. Gallo ‘78), 11. Jackson Bandiera, 21. Tarek Elrich, 22. Desilva Rhett (5. Esposito ‘67), 23. Daniel Dias, 27. Stefan Nikolic (10. Katsuta ‘56), 44. Anthony Frangie (9. Demetriou ‘56)

Unused subs: 20. Dylan Niski

Yellow cards: Dias, Coskerie, Frangie, Elrich

Red cards: nil

Players Ratings

3 – Alexander Parsons (SFC)

2 – Jaiden Kucharski (SFC)

1 – Ben Gibson (SFC)

By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)