Late Drama as Glasson Rescues Sky Blues in 1–1 Draw
Manly United FC and Sydney FC were forced to settle for a share of the points in a 1–1 draw at Cromer Park on Good Friday, with late drama denying the hosts a valuable victory.
The match began with both sides probing for an early breakthrough. Sydney FC created the first opportunity from a set piece in the 7th minute, but Ethan Dyer’s powerful header drifted wide of the target. Manly United responded soon after with a corner of their own, as Benjamin Koop rose highest but was unable to guide his effort on goal.
As the half progressed, Manly began to assert control and build momentum. A series of attacking phases saw them threaten from multiple angles, including another corner that fell to Jasper Chipman, whose strike went narrowly wide. Fullbacks Jesse Piriz and Matthew O’Donogue then tested Sydney goalkeeper Gus Hoefsloot, who was equal to both efforts.
The breakthrough finally came in the 40th minute. Darcy Burgess cut inside with intent and unleashed a strike that took a significant deflection, wrong-footing Hoefsloot and finding the back of the net to give Manly a deserved 1–0 lead.
Sydney FC nearly responded immediately, with Caelen Marshall-Witte producing a sharp turn on the edge of the box before forcing a strong save from Manly goalkeeper Mackenzie Syron, who pushed the effort wide.
The hosts carried their momentum into the second half and continued to create chances. Aaron O’Driscoll came close after connecting with a flick-on from Piriz’s long throw, but Hoefsloot produced an excellent diving save to keep Sydney within reach. Further half-chances to Burgess and de Robillard followed, though both efforts failed to trouble the scoreboard.
Looking to change the course of the match, Sydney FC head coach Jimmy Van Weeren made a triple substitution at halftime, injecting fresh energy into his side.
Despite the changes, the Sky Blues struggled to break down a disciplined and well-organised Manly defence. Joe Lacey came close late on, firing a long-range effort just wide in the 84th minute.
Manly had a golden opportunity to seal the result when Kakeru Ono delivered a precise cross onto the head of substitute Ayumu Kimura, but the effort sailed wide—an opportunity that would prove costly.
Sydney FC made them pay in stoppage time. In the 91st minute, Mitchell Glasson drove into the box with determination and calmly slotted the ball under Syron to snatch a dramatic late equaliser and earn his side a valuable point.
After the match, Manly United FC coach Vladimir Knezevic expressed his frustration at not securing all three points.
“Yeah, it’s tough, but we knew it was going to be a difficult game.
“We tried to get the win but couldn’t finish it off. I thought we controlled the game and created the better chances tonight,” he said.
Sydney FC coach Jimmy Van Weeren was candid in his assessment of his team’s performance.
“I don’t think we were very good tonight—it was one of our poorest performances of the season.
“It’s positive that we stayed in the game until the end, but for us it’s about improving both individually and collectively,” he said.
Match Stats
Manly United FC 1 (Burgess ’40)
Sydney FC 1 (Glasson ‘91
Friday 3 April 2026
Cromer Park
Referee: Harriet Gee
Assistant Referees: Matthew Harris & Daniel Cornofsky
Fourth Official: Alexander Zastavnikovic
Manly United FC: 2. Luka Krizan, 3. Matthew O’Donoghue, 4. Jesse Piriz, 5. Aaron O’Driscoll, 7. Stephan de Robillard (11. Ayumu Kimura ’82), 8. Kakeru Ono (32. Jared Muir ’92), 9. Benjamin Koop (19. Cal Evans ’82), 10. Darcy Burgess, 18. Luke Nieuwenhof, 33. Jasper Chipman (6. Saxon Hillyer ’70), 99. Mackenzie Syron
Unused subs: 15. Max Martinello, 21. Harry Turner, 26. Yannis Frerck, 32. Jared Muir
Yellow cards: Piriz ’15 Krizan ’38 O’Donoghue ’63 Nieuwenhof ‘69
Red cards: nil
Sydney FC: 1. Gus Hoefsloot, 3. Reef Farias (33. Marin France ’61), 4. Caelen Marshall-White, 7. Jordan Graoroski, 14. Jared Middleton, 16. Miles Milliner (47. Corey Cronin ’45), 18. Ethan Dyer (34. Tyler Williams ’83), 19. Mitchell Glasson, 27. Lachlan Middleton (8. Samuel Lancaster ’45), 29. Joe Lacey, 44. Akol Akon (10. Taye Headley ’45)
Unused subs: 30. Alexander Zaverdinos
Yellow cards: Farias ‘54
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings:
3: Jaspar Chipman (MUFC)
2: Darcy Burgess (MUFC)
1: Mitch Glasson (SFC)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
