Sydney FC win scrappy ANZAC Day fixture against the Sharks
Sydney FC defeated the Sutherland Sharks 2-0 in what was a vital six-pointer for the Sky Blues on ANZAC Day at the Ilinden Sports Centre.
Locked nil-all at the break, the Sky Blues hit another gear in the second half as goals to Marin France and a penalty from Mathias Macallister sunk the Sharks further down the NPL Men’s NSW ladder.
It was a lacklustre stop, start opening to the match before Joey Lacey had a diving header held by Sharks’ shot stopper Danijel Nizic, the first attempt on goal in the 8th minute.
A real battle of attrition ensued in the middle of the pitch, in the main, punctuated with the long, hopeful ball forward with neither able to take command of the match. It wasn’t pretty but understandable given the respective situation of the Clubs.
The game almost sprang into life when Peter Grozos fired in a long range effort that had the beating of Gus Hoefsloot in the Sydney FC net but not the stanchion leaving the Sutherland striker to curse his ill fortune.
In the build-up, Daniel Wong took a knock that saw him replaced by Richard Shoueiki for the visitors. It began a series of half-chances that didn’t threaten the scoreboard as the stalemate continued.
Similarly, Joey Lacey fizzed one over the bar at the other end with ten minutes to play in the half, again forced to take the attempt from distance.
It wasn’t an action packed game so when the half-time break arrived lacking goals, it came as no surprise. Neither side managed to find any type of rhythm albeit the tackles came in thick and fast leading to little time on the ball for carrier to create reflecting the mood around the ground, like the weather, sullen.
Shoueiki had the ball in the net five minutes into the restart that was disallowed for an offside call. It was tight but the correct decision.
From a corner, Sydney FC had the Sharks under the pump but when the ball finally fell to Lacey, he somehow contrived to rattle the bar from 6-yards out with Nizic able to gather after a goalmouth scramble in what was a complete contrast to the opening half.
Grozos picked the perfect pass to set-up substitute Matthew Moric but yet again the woodwork came to FC’s rescue with the rebound dropping nicely into the grateful arms of Hoefsloot but it was the home side who managed to find the opener. Nizic initially twice saved bravely but France reacted quickest to plant the ball firmly into the netting for a scrappy goal.
What a difference a goal makes. Sydney FC, buoyed by their strike, found another gear and created a number of opportunities, none of which were taken, but the passing was slicker and the confidence levels rose. Sutherland, on the other hand, remained dogged and determined.
Mathias Macallister eventually settled the tie when his side a penalty in the 79th minute that he took himself to safely plant home off of one step to double FC’s lead and, almost, certainly secure the points whilst inflicting a fourth straight loss on the Sharks.
Macdonald and Nizic combined to eventually foil Dylan Rose from adding a third in stoppage time but it was a deserved, if somewhat laboured, victory for the home side.
Match Stats
Sydney FC: 2 (Marin France 59’, Mathias Macallister 79’p)
Sutherland Sharks: 0
Ilinden Sports Centre Friday, 25th April, 2025
Referee: Adrian Arndt
Assistants: Matthew Harris and Arinath Gobinath Fourth Official: Owen Medcalf
Sydney FC: 30. Gus Hoefsloot. 3. Kyle Shaw (10. Taye Hedley 61’), 14.Jared Middleton, 18. Alen Harbas (15. Samuel Lancaster 75’), 20. Tiago Quintal (9. Mathias Macallister 61’), 21. Zachary De Jesus (4. Joseph Calusic 66’), 27. Lachlan Middleton, 29. Joey Lacey, 33. Marin France, 37. Will Kennedy (6. Tyler Williams 61’), 39. Dylan Rose Subs not used: 12. Alex Zaverdinos Yellow Cards: Zachary De Jesus 36’
Red Cards: Nil
Sutherland Sharks: 1. Danijel Nizic, 4. Lachlan Macdonald, 6. Mohamed Ahmed, 7. Peter Grozos, 8. Nick Sullivan, 14. Dylan Susovic (15.Matthew Moric 55’), 21. Jerry Skotadis, 22. Kotaro Katsuta, 23. Mason Fernandez, 26. Jacob Garner (3. Jordan Roberts 78’), 58. Daniel Wong (17. Richard Shoueiki 22’) Subs not used: 20. Jacob Tresoglavic, 30. Sebastian Arranz, 44. Tye McGowan Yellow Cards: Jacob Garner 52’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Marin France (SFC)
2 – Joey Lacey (SFC)
1 – Peter Grozos (SS)
By NPL NSW Men’s Reporter Micky Brock
