Late Sky Blues strike sinks Spirit
Sydney FC left it late but secured a hard fought 1-0 victory over the NWS Spirit FC thanks to a 91st minute strike by Mitchell Glasson at Valentine Sports Park in the only Round 26 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s clash on Friday night.
The young Sky Blues further added to the NWS Spirit FC’s woes as David Perkovic’s men last secured three points in Round 22.
It was the visitors who had the first chance of the match. Defender Daniel Mitwali connected with a header in the 9th minute which flew wide of the right post.
Sydney FC responded with a header of their own minutes later. A well-timed cross in found the head of Glasson who couldn’t crane the ball on target.
NWS Spirit FC held much of the possession in the first half trying to unlock what was a sturdy Sydney FC defence. Luiz Lobo went close, dancing through the defence then forcing Sky Blues custodian Adam Pavlesic into a save.
The hosts found their footing and started to find their range. They had a pair of shots blocked by NWS Spirit FC keeper Christopher Marquez for a corner. It fell to Jacon Brazete who blazed over.
The Sky Blues finished the half on a strong note. Matthew Scarcella thrashed a volley wide then Brazete had a low shot which Marques took gratefully.
Lobo looked to be the outlet for NWS Spirit FC in the first half. He was on the spot inside the box and almost carved out a goal in the 26th minute from a tight space before it went wide.
Sydney FC were the first side to have a chance after the break. The ball fell to Bailey Callaghan on the left side and he fired an effort into the side netting.
The Sky Blues went close again through Glasson. He rose highest from a right side cross which forced Marques to shovel the ball away.
NWS Spirit FC worked the long throw well in this game and almost got a result on the hour mark. It pinballed inside the box before being cleared despite a shout for handball.
Substitute Matthew Cahill almost made an instant impact for NWS Spirit FC. He was released by Richard Darko but put his effort right at a standing tall Pavlesic.
Cahill continued to be a bright spark for NWS Spirit FC. He broke through again, strode goal bound but again was denied by Pavlesic.
The chances mounted for NWS Spirit FC. Darko powered over inside the box then captain Jared Lum wasn’t able to get anything on his effort.
The visitors looked the side that was going to find a winner. Darko headed wide again then they crashed an effort onto the crossbar as the game entered the final ten minutes.
Their lack of finishing would prove to be detrimental as they were unlocked by a classy FC attack.
The ball fell to Glasson inside the box who forced the ball home to make it 1-0 in the 91st minute. It was the young attacker’s third goal of the 2023 campaign.
Speaking post match Sydney FC coach Jimmy Van Weeren was delighted with the result in a match that saw an even younger Sky Blues outfit take to the pitch.
“It was a game which could’ve gone either way in the second half.
“We were the ones who converted our chance.
“It was a good bounce back from last week, defending well and we remained positive after last week.
“There are four games left which means four chances to develop and grow as a group.” said Van Weeren.
While NWS Spirit FC captain Jared Lum lamented on what could have been.
“It is hard when you concede late to lose the game.
“It was a good effort but we didn’t capitalise on moments in the second half.
“That’s been the story of our season, being good in the middle but missing some ruthlessness up top.
“We will work on that and we have four games left to finish the season on a high.” said Lum.
Match Stats
Sydney FC 1 (Glasson ‘90+1)
NWS Spirit FC 0
Friday 28 July 2023
Valentine Sports Park #2
Referee: Stephan Lucas
Assistant Referees: Amber Morris & Matthew Mcorist
Fourth Official: Rowan Fisher
Sydney FC: 2. Cameron Fong (18. Joseph Lacey ‘78), 6. Matthew Scarcella, 8. Kealey Adamson (36. Jacob McLachlan ‘58), 9. Matthew Glasson, 13. Hayden Matthews, 15. Dylan Rose (27. Wataru Kamijo ‘68), 26. Jacob Brazete (21. Louis Agosti ‘58), 30. Adam Pavlesic, 32. Oscar Fryer, 37. Bailey Callaghan, 38. Zachary De Jesus (4. Aden Green ‘68)
Unused subs: 1. Gus Hoefsloot
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
NWS Spirit FC: 1. Christopher Marques, 3. Mushashi Kukubo, 4. Kota Odakura, 5. Jordan Gomez (15. Paul Katsetis ‘76), 6. Corey Kavanagh, 7. Richard Darko, 10. Peter Kekeris (17. Matthew Cahill ‘60), 13. Simon Nicholas, 19. Daniel Mitwali (16. Kyle Shaw ‘86), 20. Jared Lum, 21. Luiz Lobo
Unused subs: 2. Anthony Younis, 12. Jacob Madden, 26. Maisam Awaz
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings:
3: Mitchell Glasson (SFC)
2: Richard Darko (NWS)
1: Adam Pavlesic (SFC)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
