NWS Spirit FC handed Sydney FC its fourth loss of the 2023 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season with a gritty 1-0 victory at Christie Park on Saturday night.
The hosts produced a textbook tactical performance to take home the victory after Matthew Cahill found the net in the first half, with the young Sky Blues best chances falling late in the piece.
The game started with an early pattern of Sydney FC holding on to a lot of ball moving defenders around while Spirit started the first half on the front foot in terms of chances.
We did not have to wait too long for real action though as David Perkovic’s men hit the lead in the 11th minute.
Simon Nicholas played a ball to Ollie Wiggin who sent in a cross the found the head of Cahill at the back post who headed home much to the delight of the home fans. It was Cahill’s fourth of the 2023 season.
A good tempo to the contest was now established following the opening goal however every time Sydney FC seemed to have a shot on goal, they were closed down by a well-disciplined Spirit defence.
The home side were having no such problem at the other end though, their next chance coming on 16 minutes, Richard Darko sending a low ball across from the left which just evaded the outstretched leg of Cahill at the back post.
Spirit had yet another chance soon after, Luiz Lobo’s shot hitting the near post after Kota Odakura switched the ball to him from central midfield in the 21st minute.
Across the field, there were some personnel battles going on none more important in the first half then that of Cahill and Aaron Gurd – Cahill just about getting the better of Gurd six minutes later, his tame shot saved comfortably.
In a game where Jimmy Van Weeren’s men weren’t creating open play chances, the set piece was going to prove important for the visitors, Alen Harbas unable to create his magic from one on 32 minutes, his shot wayward over the bar.
Spirit then concluded the half with a chance from a corner, Kyle Shaw heading wide of the right post on 38 minutes.
Perkovic’s heartbeat would’ve flickered ten minutes into the second half, a dangerous Clayton Taylor ball across the face evaded defenders and attackers alike.
Spirit had their first chance of the second half in the 64th minute, Darko showing some tricky feet giving him room before firing over the target. This was soon followed by a Odakura free kick which just missed the top left corner from range.
Another chance then fell to the elusive Lobo who missed with his shot bending away from the goal from the right top corner of the box.
Sydney FC nearly found an equaliser in the 76th minute but Spirit FC number one Christopher Marques was brave to deny them the opportunity beating Mitchell Glasson to the ball.
Pushing for that much needed goal, the young Sky Blues had two chances that could have blown the match wide open later in the match. Bailey Callaghan with the first in the 86th minute, the shot going wide left of the target.
While finally Harbas failed to finish from a Clayton Taylor cross – Marques making himself big to deny him the initial shot before the follow up could not hit the target.
Post-match Spirit coach David Perkovic was pleased with his troops and their application that saw them secure three valuable points.
“I thought the boys fulfilled the game plan exactly how we wanted too.
“I would’ve liked more balance in the second half but after having a players struggle with illness and a Cup game during the week, I’m ecstatic for the boys getting the victory.
“We defended very well, we frustrated them, and they had very few moments to score, I was really pleased with the defence today also.”
Sydney FC coach Jimmy Van Weeran was complimentary of his opposition.
“They were really well organized. They got set defensively really quickly and looked dangerous on the counter.
“The goal we conceded was a bad decision. I thought we recovered well and had two chances at the end which we didn’t take.
“Looking ahead to next week, we have the derby against the Western Sydney Wanderers. We know a few of those boys out there, they’re a good team and we’ll be up for it.”
Match Stats
NWS Spirit FC 1 (Cahill 11’)
Sydney FC 0
Saturday 15 April, 2023
Christie Park, Macquarie Park
Referee: Chris Hughes
Assistant Referees: Amber Morris & Allesandro Llana
Fourth Official: Michael Renton
NWS Spirit FC: 1. Christopher Marques, 3. Musashi Kokubo, 4. Kota Odakura, 6. Corey Kavanagh, 7. Richard Darko (22. Abuzar Awaz 79’), 11. Ollie Wiggin (2. Blake Ilitch 79’), 13. Simon Nicholas, 16. Kyle Shaw, 17. Matthew Cahill (9. Mitchell Davidson) 64’), 21. Luiz Lobo, 23. Michael Konestabo (10. Louis Bozanic 65’)
Substitutes Not Used: 12. Jacob Madden.
Yellow Cards: Darko, Odakura.
Red Cards: Nil
Sydney FC: 30. Adam Pavlesic, 4. Nathan Paull, 6. Matthew Scarcella, 8. Kealey Adamson, 10. Alen Harbas, 11. Clayton Taylor, 18. Oscar Priestman, 19. Alexander Parsons (37. Bailey Callaghan 60), 26. Zane Schreiber (17. Mitchell Glasson 60), 29. Aaron Gurd, 34. Max Buratto (38. Zachary De Jesus 70’).
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Max Vartuli, 2. Dylan Rose, 13. Hayden Matthews.
Yellow Cards: Schreiber
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 – Simon Nicholas (NWS)
2 – Ollie Wiggin (NWS)
1 – Kota Odakura (NWS)
By Justin Smith (@smiththejustin).
