St George City humbled by hungry Sky Blues
Sydney FC bounced back from a bad run of form in style with a 4-3 round 23 victory over St George City in National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s action at Penshurst Park.
Taking out a thriller with four separate goal scorers, the young Sky Blues look to have settled after a turbulent run of form.
In good attacking form, St George City were keen to stamp their authority early in this one. Paolo Mitry tried his luck inside a minute for the hosts, his shot hooked right of the target.
Sydney FC were indeed struggling to get their foot on the ball early on before Kosta Petratos tried his luck in the 6th minute. Nathan Roberts threaded a ball into the box for him, before he unleashed a right footed effort which rattled the crossbar.
Their third major chance before a response coming for Maki Petratos cutting in from the right on the quarter hour. His shot was denied by a good Pavlesic save low down to the left, 15 minutes in.
The young Sky Blues had started to change the momentum by this point however and they would then take what felt like an unlikely lead soon after. Bailey Callaghan with an initial effort saved one on one before they took the lead from the resulting set piece.
Matthew Scarcella floating in a corner from the right which took an unfortunate touch from a defender into his own net on 26 minutes.
A lead which lasted just seconds before a response from the hosts. Quickly working the ball down the right before Kosta Petratos picked it up in the box who rifled a shot into the far side netting in stunning fashion.
In saying that, parity didn’t last much longer with Sydney FC retaking the lead in the 29th minute. A cross from the right was headed home by Oscar Fryer to make it 2-1 to the visitors.
Making a change at the break, Pedro Ferrari nearly made an instant impact for the hosts with a shot from the right. Before a header from the resulting set piece was cleared off the line by Fryer.
For the meantime however, Sydney’s backline was holding firm with St George reduced to efforts from long range.
And the visitors capitalized at the other end. Mitchell Glasson fed Lachlan Middleton to his left. Middleton doubled his team’s advantage 65 minutes in with a well taken goal.
In scenes reminiscent to the first half, Nathan Roberts nearly cut the advantage in half immediately. Making an inroad down the left before his ball across the face kissed the crossbar.
The game had lost its edge however with Sydney FC in control of proceedings for the time being. Until a twist in the tale arrive in the 79th minute. Franco Maya with the delivery on the right found the head of Matthew Keremelevski who headed home to make it 3-2.
Chasing the game however, Sydney FC would once again take a two-goal advantage with five minutes left. Mitchell Glasson won the ball in midfield before playing in Kealey Adamson who slipped the ball under the keeper for their fourth.
St George City didn’t stop pushing however and they found their third in the 90th minute. Presley Ortiz finishing after Marley Peterson controlled a ball from the right. 4-3 Sydney FC.
Time ran out however with Sydney FC holding onto their slender lead.
Post match, Sydney FC coach Jimmy Van Weeran was delighted with his side.
“We have had a little bit of a mid-year rebuild, so it’s taken a few weeks for the side to acclimatize and adjust but I think they showed they are up at the level tonight.
“We had eight players under 17 in the squad tonight so there are going to be a few learning moments but as a club we are really proud of the entire group coming here against a tough opponent and showing that level of performance.”.
Match Stats
St George City 3 (Kosta Petratos 27’, Matthew Keremelevski 79’, Presley Oritz 90’)
Sydney FC 4 (OG 26‘, Oscar Fryer 28’, Lachlan Middleton 65’, Kealey Adamson 84’)
Saturday 15 July, 2023
Penshurst Park, Penshurst
Referee: Stephen Lucas
Assistant Referees: Aaron Bloch & Hugh Fenton-White
Fourth Official: Charbel Geha
St George City: 1. Yaren Sozer (GK), 3. Daniel Alessi (c), 7. Nathan Roberts (9. Marley Peterson 68’)., 10. Paolo Mitry (25. Andrew Vlahadamis 68’), 11. Kosta Petratos, 14. Dean Pelekanos, 23. Franco Maya, 24. Alexander Kyriacou (2. Pedro Arcanjo Ferrari Da Silve 46’), 30. Presley Ortiz, 70. Yerasimakis Petratos, 99. Matthew Keremelevski (4. Brendan Hooper 85’).
Substitutes Not Used: 12. Jack Kenny (GK), 16. Mohammed Khamis,
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Sydney FC: 30. Adam Pavlesic (GK), 6. Matthew Scarcella, 9. Mitchell Glasson, 12. Lachlan Middleton (27. Wataru Kamijo 74’), 13. Hayden Matthews (C), 15. Dylan Rose, 16. Joseph Calusic, 32. Oscar Fryer (21. Jared Middleton 85’), 34. Max Buratto (26. Jacob Brazete 86’), 37. Bailey Callaghan (8. Kealey Adamson 68’), 38. Zachary De Jesus.
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Gus Hoefsloot (GK), 21. Louis Agosti
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 – Oscar Fryer (SFC)
2 – Lachlan Middleton (SFC)
1 – Pedro Ferrari (STGC)
By Justin Smith (@smiththejustin).
