Sydney FC grab derby spoils in important victory
Sydney FC grabbed three precious points to lift them three points clear from the dreaded relegation zone thanks to a 3-0 victory over arch-rivals Western Sydney Wanderers at Wanderers Football Park on Sunday.
The hosts, who held top spot for a number of weeks’ has seen them fall just inside the top six following their freefall. Sydney FC made it four games unbeaten as Mathias Macallister opened the scoring in the 14th minute then doubled his delight in the 40th to make it 2-0. Tiago Quintal confirmed the win with his goal in the 67th minute to give them their first away win of the season.
It was a cagey start between the two sides as they tested each other in what was a midfield battle.
The first chance of the game fell to the Sky Blues. Quintal turned the corner well but sent his effort over the bar.
Sydney FC made it 1-0 in the 14th minute through Mathias Macallister. It started from Jacob Brazete’s cross which found Quintal who fed the youngster to turn home for 1-0.
Western Sydney Wanderers responded with their first effort. Ryan Devine put the cross onto the head of Jesse Cameron who nodded straight at Sydney FC keeper Alexander Zaverdinos.
The Sky Blues surged forward again looking for a second. This time Blake Bolwell swept his effort right at Wanderers custodian Lucas Sinnott.
Luke Nieuwenhof pounced on a mistake at the back from Sydney FC but he curled his effort wide of the right post.
The Wanderers were restricted to chances from long range in the first half. Anthony Barbic with the closest drive which whistled wide.
Oscar Fryer continued to be a nuisance up front for Sydney FC. He had a pair of chances, the first which he cut inside to shoot straight then unfurled another right at Sinnott.
Sydney FC doubled their delight in the 40th minute. They took a corner short, fed it to Fryer who cut it back for Macallister to acrobatically finish for 2-0. It was the youngster’s fifth goal of the NPL Men’s campaign since bursting into the scene a few weeks ago.
The visitors settled back into their work again in the second half. They worked the ball around before a cross found Lachlan Middleton who craned wide.
Western Sydney Wanderers kept hunting for a way back into the contest. Substitute Marcus Fernandez tried to turn a header towards goal but failed to rattle the net.
Quintal then secured all three points for Sydney FC in the 67th minute. The Sky Blues pinched it high as Fryer played it into the fleet footed striker who chipped home and it was game, set and match.
Next, Macallister was hungry for his hat-trick. The striker found space on the left and lofted an effort which Sinnott had to touch over the bar.
Sydney FC kept looking for goals in the later stages. Substitute Ayouk Mow strode through but was denied twice superbly by Wanderers custodian Sinnott.
The substitutes combined for another big Sydney FC chance. Pearson Kasawaya drilled in a cross which Bailey Callaghan poked right at Lucas Sinnott.
Sydney FC saw out the rest of the game to pick up three valuable points and local bragging rights in the derby.
Speaking post-match, Western Sydney Wanderers FC coach Andrew Christiansen kept it short and sweet.
“I was always told that if you had nothing nice to say don’t say anything at all. It was disappointing result and performance for us.”
While for Sydney FC coach Jimmy Van Weeren, he reflected on a dominant win for the young side in the derby.
“I thought we were really dominant and restricted them to long shots at goal while having quite a few ourselves. The collective effort was great and the young group which was exposed to men’s football has a belief now that they can compete.” said Van Weeren.
Match Stats
Western Sydney Wanderers FC 0
Sydney FC 3 (Macallister ’14 ’40 Quintal ‘67)
Sunday 23 June 2024
Wanderers Football Park
Referee: Sam Kelly
Assistant Referees: Matthew Mcorist & Arinath Gobinath
Fourth Official: Karl Davies
Western Sydney Wanderers: 16. Roman Culina, 19. Dimo Dimo (27. Julian Cop ’69), 20. Lucas Sinnott, 22. Jesse Cameron, 24. Anthony Barbic (23. Marcus Fernandez ’45), 25. Ryley Hollingdale (35. Kaan Nizam ’69), 28. Luke Nieuwenhof (45. Rushonn Tafunai ’69), 36. Dallo Sandy (66. Joseph Banza ’55), 37. Ricky Fransen, 77. Phillip Gigliotti, 99. Ryan Devine
Unused subs: 30. Marcus Petrovski
Yellow cards: Devine ’28 Nieuwenhof ’33 Franzen ‘65
Red cards: nil
Sydney FC: 3. Tyler Williams, 4. Joseph Calusic, 7. Oscar Fryer (17. Ayouk Mow ’71), 8. Lachlan Middleton, 10. Tiago Quintal (6. Dylan Rose ’76), 13. Jacob Brazete (16. Pearson Kasawaya ’63), 22. Will Kennedy, 24. Wataru Kamijo (32. Samuel Lancaster ’63), 33. Mathais Macallister (9. Bailey Callaghan ’71), 34. Blake Bolwell, 40. Alexander Zaverdinos
Unused subs: 30. Mason Hartnig
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings:
3: Mathias Macallister (SFC)
2: Tiago Quintal (SFC)
1: Joseph Calusic (SFC)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
