Rangers too slick for Sky Blues
Mt Druitt Town Rangers showed up Sydney FC’s young gun brigade with a hard fought 2-0 victory at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.
The rainy conditions didn’t aid both teams however another ‘highlight reel’ strike to Pedrinho on the stroke of halftime and another shortly after by Thomas Lopez ensured that the visitors earned all three-points.
The opening three minutes witnessed Sydney FC forge two close cut chances as Lachlan Middleton’s threatening header was cleared, then Jaiden Kucharski’s charge into the box came to a halt courtesy of Mt Druitt Town Rangers defender Zac Sfiligoi.
In the 7th minute Sydney again came close as Goalkeeper Dylan Niski tipped the ball over his own head to prevent it going in. Then Taye Hedley tested Mt Druitt’s resolve as his cutting pass into the box was immediately cleared by Theph Theph.
The Rangers sparse chances in the first half were brilliant as in the 13th minute Gus Hoefsloot pulled out a one-handed save to deny Joey Gibbs’ powerful attempt from the edge of the box.
The ensuing corner kick saw Hoefsloot bobble Theph’s header, before stretching out to cover the ball.
Both rivals continued to exchange near-blows as in the 29th minute, Kurchaski should have buried his shot in from only inches away, yet the experienced senior blazed it over the bar.
Sydney FC were caught out at the back in the 44th minute as Pedrinho conjured up some magic to score. His initial strike rebounded off Hedley, before he collected the ball again and rifled it in from distance cuing mass celebrations.
That momentum carried right into the second half for Mt Druitt as they bagged their second in the 50th minute. Despite facing away from the goals, with one touch of the ball, Thomas Lopez seamlessly turned around and fired home from close range after the assist from Caleb Jackson-Brown.
Five-minutes later Pedrinho was denied by the perfectly timed sliding tackle from Joe Lacey. Tyler Williams shortly after was forced to header the ball out of play after a Rangers corner kick came dangerously close to the left post.
In the 69th minute the visitors failed to capitalise as with only Hoefsloot in front of him, Jude Rankin mis-hit his shot as it went wide of the post.
Corey Cronin proceeded to be the next man off the mark for the ‘Sky Blues’ as he tried his luck from distance in the 72nd minute, only for an even better save to ensue, as Niski used his whole body to push the ball out of play.
Clean-sheet hero Dylan Niski was full of praise for his side post-game.
“During the week we were working on our attacking and defensive structures, with it paying dividends today.
“We remained controlled and compact, with us playing the counterattack greatly too.
“The conditions were rainy and windy, so we had to keep the ball on the ground which is what we did and scored two goals from it. The prime example being the beautiful goal from Pedrinho.
“Pedrinho is a very clinical player as evidenced through his goals this season and he helps us with our aim of winning consistently and reaching that number one spot.”
Match Stats
Sydney FC 0
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 2 (Pedrinho 44’, Thomas Lopez 50’)
Sunday 30 March 2025
Ilinden Sports Centre
Referee: Adrian Arndt
Assistant Referees: Aaron Bloch and Joon Park
Fourth Official: Reece Edwards
Sydney FC: 4.Joseph Calusic, 6.Tyler Williams, (9.Mathias Macallister 59’), 10.Taye Hedley, 13.Tiago Quintal, (14.Jared Middleton 59’), (23.Junior Conde 80’), 25.Jaiden Kucharski, 27.Lachlan Middleton, 29.Joe Lacey, 30.Gus Hoefsloot, 33.Marin France, 37.Will Kennedy, (39.Dylan Rose 59’), 47.Corey Cronin
Unused subs: 1.Jacob Cremen-Cowan, 15.Samuel Lancaster
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None
Mt Druitt Town Rangers: 1.Dylan Niski, 2.Alexader Trajanoski, 4.Zac Sfiligoi, 5.Theph Theph, 6.Jared Macerola, (7.Garang Awac 61’), 9.Joseph Gibbs, 10.Joao Pedro Oliveira Santos, 11.John Azar, 15.Caleb Jackson-Brown, 20.Thomas Lopez, 21.Wiliam Rankin, (22.Jude Rankin 68’), (27.Shayden Sampow 80’), (99.Rocco Fragale 80’)
Unused subs: 16.Stefan Giglio, 18.Lachlan Vasiliou
Yellow cards: Joao Pedro Oliveira Santos 22’
Red cards: None
Player Ratings:
3: Dylan Niski (MDTR)
2: Theph Theph (MDTR)
1: Joao Pedro Oliveira Santos (MDTR)
-By Tobias Canning
