Sydney FC record important victory over St George FC
Sydney FC recorded a 2-1 win against St George FC at Ilinden Sports Centre on Friday night to ease its relegation worries for the time being.
The Sky Blues picked up their first win since round 5 with a gutsy effort. Promising young gun Mathias Macallister equalized in the eighth minute after the Saints took the lead via Troy Danaskos before Macallister sealed all three points with his strike from a corner in the 73rd minute to make it 2-1.
St George FC scored with their first chance of the game. Danaskos unfurled a thunderous volley to make it 1-0 in the 7th minute.
The Sky Blues responded and found the back of the net themselves a minute later. Tiago Quintal weaved down the wing then Macallister hooked the ball home in the 8th minute.
St George FC tried to restore their advantage after conceding. A cross from Danaskos found Justin Poon who flicked it wide.
The hosts buoyed by their goal strode forward in numbers. Goal scorer Macallister had a strike which forced St George FC custodian Daniel Axford into a diving save.
The Sky Blues’ next set piece yielded a similar result. This time the ball fell to the foot of Tyler Williams who tested the Saints shot stopper.
Sydney FC had an effort early in the second half as Quintal stood over the free-kick but curled it right to Axford.
Danaskos tried to repeat his effort from the first half, but his effort whistled wide of the right post.
The Sky Blues went inches away from taking the lead soon after. Quintal danced inside his defender and whacked the left post with a shot.
St George FC were denied the lead from Sydney FC custodian Alexander Zaverdinos. He remained big to deny Peter Grozos from close range in the 69th minute.
Sydney FC finally made it 2-1 in the 73rd minute from a set piece. It was whipped to the far post where Macallister swept home. It was a just reward for the rising star who hopes to emulate his father Dylan, a former NPL star as well as ex-Australian Youth international.
The Saints went forward chasing an equalizer. Substitute Alexander Malfara looped a header which Zaverdinos had to claw away from goal.
The visitors continued to create chances. Patrick O’Shea had a header go straight then an attempted bicycle kick was cleared.
Sydney FC had the chance to add a third in stoppage time as substitute Pearson Kasawaya roamed forward on the counter but couldn’t find the back of the net.
The Sky Blues held on and recorded a much needed win which lifted them off the foot of the NPL NSW Men’s ladder.
Post-match Sydney FC assistant coach Howard Fondyke reflected on the gutsy win from the Sky Blues.
“It was really impressive, a decent performance from us and they showed good character to get the result tonight.
“It’s been difficult but that is part and parcel of youth development but I think the performances are showing now for us.” said Fondyke.
While St George FC coach, Jane Talcevski was short and sweet in his assessment of the game afterwards.
“Congrats to Sydney FC, they fought hard in the game and they capitalized on our mistakes to take the points tonight.” said Talcevski.
Match Stats
Sydney FC 2 (Macallister ‘8 ‘73)
St George FC 1 (Danaskos ‘7)
Friday 7 June 2024
Ilinden Sports Centre
Referee: Erib Saba
Assistant Referees: Matthew Harris & Alexis Johnson
Fourth Official: Blake Sanchez-Cruz
Sydney FC: 3. Tyler Williams, 4. Joseph Calusic, 7. Oscar Fryer (16. Pearson Kasawaya ’61), 8. Lachlan Middleton, 10. Tiago Quintal (9. Bailey Callaghan ’79), 13. Jacob Brazete (17. Ayouk Mow ’68), 22. Will Kennedy (2. Noah Mathie ’79), 24. Wataru Kamijo (6. Dylan Rose ’61), 33. Mathias Macallister, 34. Blake Bolwell, 40. Alexander Zaverdinos
Unused subs: 30. Mason Hartnig
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
St George FC: 3. Troy Danaskos, 6. Patrick O’Shea, 8. Connor Quilligan, 9. Peter Grozos, 10. Harry Jones (22. Aedan O’Shea ’45), 17. Thomas Brown, 18. Mark Rodic, 20. Daniel Axford, 23. Evangelo Souris (7. Jesse Spang ’80), 27. Jayden Seeto, 30. Justin Poon (14. Alexander Malfara ’64)
Unused subs: 2. Caio De Godoy, 11. Anthony Morabito, 21. Samuel Smith
Yellow cards: Brown ‘28
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings
3: Mathias Macallister (SFC)
2: Tiago Quintal (SFC)
1: Troy Danaskos (STG)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
