Sydney FC record important victory in its fight for survival

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Sydney FC’s survival in the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition took a turn for the better following a 2-1 victory over St George City at Penshurst Park on Saturday. 

The home side was looking to maintain contact with the other teams in the running for a play-off place, while the young Sky Blues were hoping to secure the full three points and keep clear of the danger, which they did in the end thanks to a goal in each half.

Both sides had their chances but the Red and Whites were left to rue another tight contest that escaped their grip.

Sydney FC opened the scoring in the 9th minute against the run of play. From midfield, the ball made its way left before it was swung into the middle by Jacob Brazete for Mathias Macallister who simply knocked it in, much to the astonishment of the St George defenders – It was Macallister’s sixth goal of the 2024 campaign, a huge stat considering the young gun only burst onto the scene a couple of weeks ago.

St George City tried to even things up a minute later. A dangerous Fumoto Kamada cross from the left was saved by Daniel Solsky, but the ball then fell to Dominic Cox who fired just wide of the mark with his blunt attempt.

Midway through the first half Sydney FC really should have scored again. Ayouk Mow went charging down the left before giving the ball to Macallister in the middle who fired against the crossbar from very close range.

St George City though did strike back in the 25th minute when a Kamada cross from the left reached Jesse Photi whose fortuitous volley hit the inside of the post before trickling across the line, as ‘keeper Solsky desperately tried to keep the ball out.

In the 35th minute a rather weak shot by Jason Romero didn’t trouble the visiting goalkeeper, when perhaps he could have got a lot more power on the end of that one.

However, a few minutes later Romero did indeed pounce on a loose ball with power from just outside the box and fired towards goal, but much to Sydney FC’s relief it was only a fraction wide of the target.

The opening chance of the second half belonged to Sydney FC in the 53rd minute. A corner made its way to Blake Bolwell who volleyed with intent from just outside the box but the ball struck a St George City defender and, in the end, fell comfortably into the hands of Jack Kenny as the power was absorbed by the defender and taken out of the shot.

In the 65th minute a shot by Photi for the home side was deflected by a Sydney FC defender and fell nicely into the awaiting arms of Solsky, as both sides engaged in a tight contest of cat-and-mouse in the early stages of the second stanza of play.

Sydney FC scored again in the 69th minute in a free flowing, counter-attacking move that started deep in their own half in what was really a great team goal.

In the end a shot by Tiago Quintal was blocked, before the ball fell nicely for Wataru Kamijo who drove it home beautifully, to both give the visitors the lead once again and to score his own first goal of the season.

In the 79th minute a Bolwell shot almost made it three for the visitors but he was denied by a great save from Kenny who knocked the ball onto the post in what was a heart-stopping moment for the home side.

A late shot in stoppage time from Paolo Mitry from outside the area was saved by ‘keeper Solsky and a minute later a powerful drive from fellow substitute Nathan Roberts from the left crashed into the side netting, as St George City desperately pressed forward in an attempt to equalise late in the encounter.

After the game the coach of Sydney FC Jim Van Weeren was justifiably proud of his young team.

“It was a good win for us and for a young side the boys showed some really good character,” he said.

“It was great defending especially in the end there when they [St George] were putting balls into the box and I am really proud of all of our boys.

“I think we played some great patches of football and could have easily scored three or four goals tonight. We looked very good going forward which is also really positive.”

In the St George City dressing room the mood was more sombre and assistant coach James Spanoudakis was left to tell the tale on behalf of his side.

“Credit to Sydney FC because they are an energetic and good young team,” he said.

“They capitalised well on their chances, got the three points and the game did slip away from us.

“It is obviously disappointing for us not to walk away with the points but there is still a lot to play for this season and there is no time to ponder on it.

“We have to move on and get as many points as we can because we are still in the running for the finals and we still have our eyes on that objective.”

Match Stats

St GEORGE CITY FA: 1 (Photi 25’)

SYDNEY FC: 2 (Macallister 9’, Kamijo 69’)

Saturday 6th July 2024

Penshurst Park

Referee: Jeh Coutinho
Assistant Referees: Mitchell Renton, Joshua Kermond

Fourth Official: Ayad Naji

St GEORGE CITY: 1. Jack Kenny, 2. Cameron Fong, 3. Caio De Godoy, 5. Fumoto Kamada (7. Nathan Roberts 60’), 6. Tarik Ercan, 8. Dominic Cox, 10. Jason Romero, 11. Kosta Petratos, 19. Jesse Photi (32. Mitch Jomaa 93’), 25. Brodie Clarkson (38. Kai Kamikura 76’), 33. Louis Khoury (14. Paolo Mitry 76’).

Substitutes not used: 21. Ryan Reid.

Yellow Cards: Mitry 85’

Red Cards: Nil

SYDNEY FC: 30. Daniel Solsky, 3. Tyler Williams, 4. Joseph Calusic, 7. Jacob Brazete (26. Namory Conde 63’), 8. Lachlan Middleton, 10. Tiago Quintal (11. Marin France 83’), 17. Ayouk Mow (16. Pearson Kasawaya 63’), 22. Will Kennedy, 24. Wataru Kamijo (6. Dylan Rose 83’), 33. Mathais Macallister (9. Bailey Callaghan 72’), 34. Blake Bolwell.

Substitutes not used: 40. Alexander Zaverdinos.

Yellow Cards: Callaghan 90’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Tiago Quintal (SFC)

2 – Lachlan Middleton (SFC)

1 – Dominic Cox (StG)

By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Joe Russo