Late Sydney FC winner breaks Rangers hearts

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Sydney FC bounced back in style with a gritty 2-1 win over Mt Druitt Town Rangers on a crisp Saturday night at Popondetta Park.

The hosts, coming off some recent good form, had the perfect start. Jacob Esposito scored the opener in the 36th minute before a pair of second half goals thanks to Luka Smyth and substitute Louis Agosti completed the turnaround for the Sky Blues as they celebrated a come from behind victory.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers had the game’s first real chance in the 29th minute. Kotaro Katsuta whipped in a free kick which captain Tarek Elrich swept wide of the post.

The visitors responded immediately with their own work. A quick counterattack saw them end up with a shot that fizzed wide of the mark.

The Rangers remained on the front foot. Katsuta was found well with a diagonal ball, juggled the ball before he shot straight at Sydney FC keeper Adam Pavlesic.

It was the hosts who struck first. Another fantastic ball from the back found Esposito who rolled the ball home to make it 1-0 Mt Druitt Town Rangers in the 36th minute.

Sydney FC did their best in trying to find an equaliser but were unable to work through the sturdy Mt Druitt defence and the hosts took their lead into the break.

Coming out of the break, Sydney FC felt just fine. The Sky Blues had a pair of half chances to get themselves back on level pegging.

The visitors got a goal for their dominance to start the second half. Luka Smyth smashed home from outside the box to make it 1-1 after 59 minutes.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers pushed back through substitute Rhett Desilva. He strode into space and unfurled a shot which went wide of the mark.

Goalscorer for the hosts, Esposito tried to put the home side back in the lead but his shot fell straight into the hands of Pavlesic.

Heading into the final ten minutes, both teams surged forward. Anthony Frangie shot wide for Mt Druitt while substitute Louis Agosti did similar for Sydney FC.

Sydney FC completed their comeback in the 88th minute. It was a counter started by Clayton Taylor which saw Agosti turn home for 2-1.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers had one final chance in stoppage time. Elrich stood over the free kick and forced Pavlesic into a save and the crumbs were swept away by Sydney FC.

Speaking post-match, Mt Druitt Town Rangers assistant coach Andy Montgomery reflected on his side’s Jekyll and Hyde performance:

“It was a Jekyll and Hyde performance from us. First half we created a lot of chances and could’ve been two or three up at the break. We came out in the second and we were a completely different side and gifted Sydney FC the game.” said Montgomery.

Sydney FC coach Jimmy Van Weeren meanwhile was delighted with the win for his young side with their second half comeback.

“To be down 1-0 we were disappointed at the break. We had two chances to work the keeper but we gave away a goal through sloppy defending. The boys did well in the second half to control the game and dominante the chances.” said Van Weeren.

“For young kids, they go a goal down and show some mental toughness to fight back. Luka Smyth scored a wonderful goal then I was delighted for Louis Agosti to come on and score the winner for us.” added Van Weeren.

Match Stats

Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 1 (Esposito ‘36)

Sydney FC 2 (Smyth ‘59, Agosti ‘88)

Saturday 20 May 2023

Popondetta Park, Emerton

Referee: Sam Kelly

Assistant Referees: Matthew Harris & James Makris

Fourth Official: Jackson Mackie

Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC: 3. Nikola Djordjevic, 4. Cooper Coskerie (43. Abdelelah Faisal ‘90), 5. Jacob Esposito, 6. Jared Macerola, 7. Nikola Skataric (22. Rhett Desilva ‘8), 10. Kotaro Katsuta, 11. Jackson Bandiera, 15. Anthony Gallo, 20. Dylan Niski, 21. Tarek Elrich, 44. Anthony Frangie (12. Will Harvey ‘85)

Unused subs: 1. Robert Fanella, 8. Ivan Sunjic, 27. Stefan Nikolic

Yellow cards: Gallo ‘30, Esposito ‘35, Elrich ‘86

Red cards: nil

Sydney FC: 2. Cameron Fong (26. Zane Schreiber ‘66), 4. Nathan Paull, 6. Matthew Scarcella, 7. Ben Gibson (14. Ayouk Mow ‘84), 8. Kealey Adamson, 9. Luka Smyth (21. Louis Agosti ‘73), 11. Clayton Taylor, 18. Oscar Priestman, 19. Alexander Parsons (17. Mitchell Glasson ‘45), 29. Aaron Gurd, 30. Adam Pavlesic

Unused subs: 20. Max Vartuli, 34. Max Buratto

Yellow cards: Gurd ‘49

Red cards: nil

Player Ratings:

3: Oscar Priestman (SFC)

2: Rhett De Silva (MDTR)

1: Kotaro Katsuta (MDTR)

By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)