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Mt Druitt stun Sky Blues with hard fought draw

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It was points shared in a pulsating 1-1 contest between Mt Druitt Town Rangers and Sydney FC on Friday night at Popondetta Park.

Sydney FC might be disappointed not to take full points from the contest after their performance across the 90 minutes as the young side opened the scoring through a Patrick Wood thunderbolt but had to settle for a draw.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers put in a fantastic shift against one of the in-form teams of the National Premier Leagues NSW competition with Olayinka Sunmola curling home a wonderful goal to earn the hosts a point in a tightly contested game.

Both sides were chomping at the bit after losses last week and got straight into their work.

Both Sydney FC’s Matthew Scarcella and Town Rangers Jack Stewart had tame efforts.

Sydney FC started to find their rhythm and made inroads in the contest.

Zachary Sapsford prodded one wide from a cross then he nodded a header right at Rangers custodian Robert Fanella.

The Rangers put some passes together with some neat interplay before Louis Khoury fired over the bar and Stewart quickly followed, turning well, but fired wide.

It was almost a horror moment for Sydney FC at the back as defender Aiden Simmons tried to sweep away a cutback from Rangers Fumoto Kamada but swept it onto the post then away.

As the half wore on, Sydney FC started to surge forward and racked up the chances.

Patrick Wood fired home from inside the box then Scarcella’s effort ended up high and wide behind the goal.

Wood continued to show his experience with a pair of chances – a tame header that landed right in the hands of Fanella then a shot that was also blocked by the Rangers shot stopper.

The Sydney FC striker brought the house down at the end of the first half.

He found some space about 30 yards before Wood unfurled a venomous strike which left Fanella stranded and made it 1-0 going to the break.

Looking to build on their lead, Sydney FC had the majority of possession but their best chance came on the hour mark when Aaron Gurd’s header was claimed safely.

As the game started to open up, Mt Druitt Town pushed forward looking for the equaliser.

The hosts had a few chances that didn’t test Sydney FC custodian Adam Pavlesic.

Sydney FC kept looking for a second goal to give themselves a cushion.

Substitute Adrian Segecic played a delighted wall pass before he forced Fanella into a low save.

The hosts found an equaliser on the counter through a wonderful, curled strike.

The first effort from Solomon-John Monahan Vaiika was played to the feet of substitute Olayinka Sunmola to make it 1-1.

Buoyed by his goal, Sunmola almost made it a brace.

He latched onto a loose ball before he struck the base of the post to the groans of the home crowd.

Headed into stoppage time, Sydney FC went close to a winner.

Substitute Louis Agosti curled a cross onto the head of Sapsford which forced a fantastic stop from Town Rangers Fanella.

Speaking post match Mt Druitt Town Rangers coach Stewart Montgomery was pleased with the effort from his side against a top team.

“That was one of our more complete games in regard to our defensive and midfield requirements. Hopefully it is something to build on for us. We had a good crack at the side near the top and hit the post three times.” said Montgomery.

“It’s never been our problem in creating chances. Both sides had their chances but I think we controlled the game while they hit us on the counter as expected.”

For Sydney FC coach Jim Van Weeren, it was points dropped for his side in an open contest tonight in the west.

“I think we were far from our best. We still think we could’ve had more as could’ve they so maybe a fair result. We talked about their counterattack at the break and couldn’t implement it which is disappointing for us.” said Van Weeren.

“Drawing is better than losing but this was a contest we thought could’ve been a win. The whole group is disappointed after that and feel like it was two points dropped for us.”

Match Stats

Friday 13 May 2022

Popondetta Park, Emerton

Referee: Kelly Jones

Assistant Referees: Joon Park and Emma Kocbek

Fourth Official: Logan Jones

Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 1 (Sunmola ‘79)

Sydney FC 1 (Wood ‘43)

Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC: 2. Solomon-Johnn Monahan-Vaiika (41. Ivan Sunjic ‘84), 6. Louis Khoury, 7. Jack Stewart, 8. Jason Perez, 9. John Roberts, 11. Fumoto Kamada, 15. Brayden Burr (18. Olayinka Sunmola ‘65), 17. Cooper Coskerie, 20. Robert Fanella, 21. Tarek Elrich, 22. Rhett Desilva (25. Mohommed Sabbouh ‘12)

Substitutes Not Used: 19. Bul Juach, 26. Rocco Fragale, 30. Jerome Narayan, 36. Justin Mercieca

Yellow Cards: Burr ‘17, Khoury ‘49, Sunmola ‘81, Roberts ‘87

Red Cards: Nil

Sydney FC: 3. Aaron Gurd, 4. Nathan Grimaldi, 7. Aiden Simmons, 10. Jaiden Kucharski (28. Louis Agosti ‘65), 13. Clayton Taylor (11. Adrian Segecic ‘53), 14. Zachary Sapsford, 16. Matthew Scarcella (9. Benjamin Gibson ‘65), 18. Oscar Priestman (37. Hayden Matthews ‘87), 19. Joseph Calusic, 22. Patrick Wood, 30. Adam Pavlesic

Substitutes Not Used: 20. Max Vartuli, 26. Aleksander Duricic

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Patrick Wood (SFC)

2 – Fumoto Kamada (MDTR)

1 – Olayinka Sunmola (MDTR)

By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)

Urosevski bags four in Ilinden’s top of the table win over Sydney FC

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Rockdale Ilinden knocked Sydney FC off the top of the table with an epic 4-3 victory in the final match of Round 10 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition at their shared Ilinden Sports Centre ground.

The eagerly anticipated fixture was settled by a four-goal haul for Alec Ursoevski cancelling out three strikes from Clayton Taylor, Zac Sapsford and a late, late Hayden Matthews effort.

It was a blistering start as the young guns fell behind with Rockdale opening scoring after just 19 seconds to a Urosevski strike from the edge of the box, after working his way through the Sydney FC defence.

Skipper Daniel Petkovski skied one over the bar from a corner shortly after when looking to double the lead as Sydney FC were left reeling under the pressure in the opening five minutes.

Rockdale compressed their formation when Sydney FC were in possession to restrict the normally effective route between the lines through quick passing and pace in a canny move by Ilinden coach Steve Zoric that posed the young Sky Blues many questions to solve.

An early injury to Daniel Araujo saw the midfielder replaced by Tomoki Wada after just 21 minutes.

As Rockdale adapted to the change, Sydney FC were starting to apply pressure as they looked for an equaliser, but Ilinden continued to hold them out.

A defensive mix-up in the 31st minute saw David Bradasevic pass the ball to Sydney FC, but the chance came quickly and the feeble effort was straight back at the Rockdale gloveman giving the visitors a lucky escape in the closest the young sky blues came to levelling the score.

Urosevski netted his second of the match in the 34th minute after a breakaway move saw the ball played through the middle for the pacey striker to run onto and net in emphatic fashion on the break.

It was a sucker punch to Sydney FC as the tables were turned and they got caught in transition.

Jaiden Kucharski should have reduced the deficit immediately when played through but the foot of Bradasevic knocked the effort away for a corner.

A mad scramble ensued but no advantage was gained and the score remained static.

Rockdale took their lead to three before the break when Urosevski completed his hat-trick in the 42nd minute from a ball played in by Will Mutch on the right at the second attempt.

Clayton Taylor, having swapped his number 13 shirt for number 22 at the break, was adjudged to have been fouled in the area in the 52nd  minute and confidently rolled in the penalty to reduce the deficit with just their second on-target attempt of the match.

Jake Girdwood-Reich received a red card for his second caution in the 57th minute to make a hard task even tougher for the young guns as they looked to grab something from the encounter.

Urosevski came close to netting his and Rockdale’s fourth not long after, but flashed his shot across the face utilising their man advantage immediately.

Sapsford added a second to further reduce the deficit for ten-man Sydney FC in the 63rd minute to apply further pressure on their opponents when surging forward as Rockdale pushed on.

Rockdale, so commanding in the opening period, were increasingly forced to track back and consolidate since the send-off as Sydney FC made light of the reduction in personnel.

Sapsford went agonisingly wide of the upright with Bradasevic sprawling to his right.

Substitute Wada had an effort deflected out for a corner in reply before Bradsevic was called into action again to deny Kucharski almost point blank.

It was Urosevski’s night when he added his fourth through a sharp finish when nipping in front to side-foot home with eight minutes remaining to quell Rockdale nerves.

Hayden Matthews added a late, late consolation for Sydney FC but it was too little too late as Rockdale leapfrogged them on the ladder leaving Sydney FC coach, Jim van Weeren, to comment: “Rockdale played a good game and we need to be a little smarter in this type of match.”

“They closed us down in the opening period and squeezed us between the lines and caught us in transition three times for three goals.

“We changed things after the break and even when we went down to ten men we played some good football but we just need to smarten up in tough fixtures but that will come.

“We’ve lost tonight but I couldn’t ask anything more of the lads from that performance.”

Rockdale coach Steve Zoric was a relieved man at the final whistle.

“The first-half game played worked perfectly,” he said.

“But they came at us in the second-half and made life difficult for us at times.

“The penalty game them a sniff and after they went down to ten men and really lifted their game but we allowed ourselves to fall into their trap and we need to awake to that.

“We went toe to toe with them when we needed to keep our shape and stick to the plan but a great win at the end and keeps us climbing the table so I cannot be too critical with the outcome.”

Match Stats

Sydney FC 3 (Clayton Taylor 53’, Zac Sapsford 63’, Hayden Matthews 90+4)

Rockdale Ilinden 4 (Alec Urosevski 1’,34’,42’,82’)

Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale

Sunday 8th April 2022

Fourth Official: Craig Fisher

Assistants: Scott Edeling and Joon Park

Fourth Official: Jackson Mackie

Sydney FC: 30. Adam Pavlesic, 3. Arron Gurd, 4. Nathan Grimaldi (37. Hayden Matthews 46’), 7. Aiden Simmons (9. Ben Gibson 73’), 10. Jaiden Kucharski, 12. Jake Girdwood-Reich, 13. Clayton Taylor, 14. Zac Sapsford, 18. Oscar Priestman, 19. Joseph Calusic (26. Aleksandar Duricic 80’), 28. Louis Agosti (16. Matthew Scarcella 46’)

Substitutes Not Used: 20. Max Vartuli, 33. Zane Schreiber

Yellow Cards: Aiden Simmons 3’, 12. Jake Girdwood-Reich 36’+57’

Red Cards: Jake Girdwood-Reich 47’

Rockdale Ilinden: 1. David Bradasevic, 2. Daniel Petkovski, 4. Mitchell Stamatellis, 5. Will Mutch, 6. Daniel Araujo (10. Tomoki Wada 21’), 7. Alec Urosevski (25. Alex Masciovecchio 87’), 8. Nikola Kuleski, 9. Bai Antoniou (11. Peter Kekeris), 14. Brayden Sorge, 23. Jaden Casella, 88. Chris McStay

Substitutes Not Used: 16. Mo Ahmed, 17. Vincete Fedele, 31. Matthew Murram

Yellow Cards: Jaden Casella 52’, Daniel Petkovski 58’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 –  Alec Urosevski (RI)

2 –  Oscar Priestman (SFC)

1 – Brayden Sorge (RI)

By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Reporter Micky Brock

 

Sydney FC Hit United 58 For Six

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Sydney FC have retained top spot in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition, with a convincing and stunning 6-1 victory over Sydney United 58 on Sunday afternoon at Sydney United Sports Centre.

A Jaiden Kucharski hat-trick, along with a brace from Clayton Taylor, saw the Sky Blues put on a clinic in front of goals against a United 58 that has struggled for form in the last few weeks and has now put Jimmy Van Weeren’s troops in the eye as being one of the club’s to catch in 2022.

Taylor opened the scoring in the 17th minute, shortly before Kucharski bagged a brace to finish off the half – scoring in his fifth straight game and getting into double figures for the season.

The flood gates opened in the second-half, as Taylor secured a double and Kucharski capped off his afternoon with his third goal minutes later.

After setting up the opening two goals, Zac Sapsford netted the visitors sixth in the 65th minute.

Glen Trifiro magnificently picked out the top corner in the 86th minute, giving United 58 an earned consolation.

Sydney FC started off the game in a rapid fashion, pressing United 58’s defence in numbers and forcing some errors from the hosts early on.

In-form striker Kucharski found himself with the first real chance of the game, narrowly putting a one-on-one chance wide.

The sky blues enjoyed a successful opening period to the game, shutting down United 58 in attack while creating some dangerous chances on the other end.

The visitors opened the scoring in the 17th minute, after a clearance from the United 58 defence deflected perfectly to Taylor, who neatly tucked his chance away.

With the momentum firmly in their corner, Sydney FC quickly doubled their advantage in the 22nd minute.

After beating his man on the wing Sapsford picked out an oncoming Kucharski in the centre of the area where he chested it past Danijel Nizic and into an open net.

United 58 began to ignite their attack following the second goal, coming close to halving the deficit when Jordan Roberts picked out Jordan Ivancic in the box, with his shot being blocked by the valiant Sydney FC defence.

Jake Girwood-Reich came within an inch of an incredible third goal moments later, as his shot from long range narrowly sailed past the target.

Kucharski ensured the visitors went into the break with a three-goal lead, after a perfect over the top ball from Oscar Priestman, set the clinical-striker up to powerfully place the ball into the roof of the goal.

Sydney FC headed into the break full of confidence and importantly with a three-goal advantage.

The young Sky Blues picked up from where they left off from in the first half, scoring within minutes of the restart.

An incredible solo run from the halfway line from Taylor, saw him break through the centre of the park and on a path to goal, where he made no mistakes to give his side their fourth.

The visitors quickly found a sixth goal in the 50th minute, as Kucharski capped off an eventful afternoon with a hat trick.

After being awarded a free kick from just outside the area, Kucharski picked out the bottom corner and with an assist from the post, got himself a well-earned third.

It was his eleventh goal of the NPL NSW Men’s campaign with the young gun putting his name in lights as bein one of the hottest young prospects in 2022.

Chris Payne came within inches of finding an opener for the hosts, with his powerful effort smashing back against the bar.

It wasn’t going the hosts way throughout the game, so much so that when a fan tried to kick the ball away it came straight back to them

The hosts began to find a groove in attack, putting the young Sky Blues’ defence under some late pressure.

Sapsford got his name on the scoresheet in the 65th minute, after following up from an incredible double-save from Nizic, to tap the ball into an open net.

Immediately following Sydney FC’s sixth, Payne once again came agonisingly close to an opener, after his chip shot went past the oncoming Max Vartuli, but falling wide of the target.

Nizic stood tall in the final period of the game, making several key stops and coming out to meet the sky blue attackers head on.

Glen Trifiro gave United 58 a consolation goal in the final minutes of the game, with an incredible free kick that picked out the top corner.

It was a stellar showing from the visitors, who never looked back after starting the game on a positive note.

Sydney FC coach, Jim Van Weeren was pleased with his side’s performance and was impressed with his sides pressing off the ball.

“First-half we were extremely dominant, we had three and could have potentially had more,” he explained.

“Second-half we kind of dropped a bit, but we still scored three goals so you can’t really complain

“For us being a young team it helps if we can get pressure on the ball and stop balls from being played in behind us, the boys are capable of winning it and we are very good on the break, it’s definitely something we worked on and it’s come a long way.”

United 58 coach, Joe Haywood noted his disappointment with his side’s outing and is looking for an improvement going forward.

“Disappointing result, defensively we need to start looking at ourselves and improve,” he said.

“We didn’t come alive [in the second half], they just stopped playing.”

Match Stats

Sydney United 58 FC 1 (Trifiro 86’)

Sydney FC 6 (Taylor 17’ 47’, Kucharski 22’ 37’ 50’ Sapsford 65’)

Sunday 1st May 2022

Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park

Referee: Karl Davies

Assistant Referees: Matthew Staples and Ivica Covic

Fourth Official: Ayad Naji

Sydney United 58 FC: 1. Danijel Nizic, 3. Jordan Roberts (4. Adrian Vlastelica 26’), 5. Anthony Tomelic (14. Andreas Agamemnonos 71’), 6. Christopher Payne, 8. Kyle Cimenti, 11.Yianni Perkatis (16. Jacob Poscoliero 71’), 13. Jordan Ivancic (23. Adrian Knez 57’), 17. Matthew Billic, 18. Glen Trifiro, 21. Mihael Marcic, 22. Yianni Fragogiannis, (10. Devante Clut 57’)

Substitutes Not Used: 55. Goran Palecek

Yellow Cards: Perkatis 49’, Knez 71’

Red Cards: Nil

Sydney FC:  3. Aaron Gurd, 4. Nathan Grimaldi, 7.Aidan Simmons, 10. Jaiden Kucharski (9.Ben Gibson 64’), 12. Jake Girwood-Reich(5. Kai Kamikura 74’), 13. Clayton Taylor, 14. Zac Sapsford, 17. Jayden Trenkoski (33. Zane Schreiber 74’), 18. Oscar Preistman, 20. Max Vartuli, 28. Louis Agosti (16. Matthew Scarcella 63’)

Substitutes Not Used: 1.Gus Hoefsloot,  26. Aleksandar Duricic

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Card: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Jaiden Kucharski (SFC)

2 – Clayton Taylor (SFC)

1 – Zac Sapsford (SFC)

Written by National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter, Dominic Criniti @DominicCriniti

 

Sydney FC bounce back to snatch points against Sydney Olympic

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Sydney FC continued its rich run of form in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition as the young chargers took care of business defeating Sydney Olympic 3-1 at the Ilinden Sports Centre in a sparkling displaying of counter attacking football.

A stunning Jaiden Kucharski brace and assist for Zac Sapsford put a resolute Sydney Olympic to bed cancelling out substitute Marley Peterson’s opener in the second-half.

First-half substitute Peterson was on hand to fire in a scorching shot from the edge of the area to open the scoring in the 54th minute before Sapsford set up Kucharski in the 59’ minute to restore parity.

Kucharski levelled the score with another trademark run to set up Sapsford for Sydney FC’s third proved invaluable in wrapping up the game when drifting through what has been a tough Olympic defence with five minutes remaining.

Kucharski thought he had opened the scoring in the fifth minute when Nick Sorras parried a Clayton Taylor shot into his path but the strike was ruled out for offside in a very lively start to the match.

Sapsford was next to gain the headlines when beating his man but sending his effort across the face with no-one following in to tap home.

Olympic were forced to endure the early pressure as the young guns of Sydney FC made all the early running and but for fractions should have taken the lead.

Sam McIlhatton fired goalward from the edge of the area, but his shot was blocked away for a corner from a delightful move down the right flank involving Roy O’Donovan, Darcy Burgess and Oliver Puflett to create the opening.

O’Donovan brought the best out of keeper Max Vartuli between the sticks when holding onto the ball from a crisply struck shot as the visitors, having weathered the early storm, began to peg the Sky Blues back.

Sydney FC should still have gone ahead after twenty-six minutes when creating a four on two situation with Oscar Priestman setting up Taylor, but Sorras was quick to react to palm the ball down and the defence cleared.

Olympic made an early change when Peterson came on in the 29th minute for Adam Parkhouse.

Sapsford saw his header cleared off the line and again the Olympic defence stood strong when called upon to do so but most of the chances were falling the way of the home side, particularly with their quick transition.

However, half-time came with the match all square at nil-all despite the chances created and either spurned or saved in an entertaining 45 minutes of football.

Mathieu Cordier replaced Will Angel after the break as Olympic looked to change things up and lessen the threat imposed by Sydney FC down their left wing.

Kucharski stole the ball in a dangerous position and centred for Sapsford who, at full stretch, fired straight at Sorras and another chance went begging.

But it was Sydney Olympic who went immediately up the other end to open the scoring with a searing shot through a crowd of bodies from substitute Peterson beating the desperate attempts of Vartuli to keep it out.

However, this Sydney FC side is made of sterner stuff and when Sapsford clipped the ball into the area the ever dangerous Kucharski headed home to restore parity in the 59th minute – And came very close to adding a second less than 60 seconds after from a cross on the right, he headed narrowly wide with Sorras scrambling.

Kucharski added his and Sydney FC’s second in the 70th minute after a trademark run and rasping shot that nearly burst the net such was the ferocity with which he hit it.

It was the talented attacker’s eighth goal of the NPL NSW Men’s campaign as his brace put him atop of the 2022 Golden Boot chart alongside Blacktown City’s Jordan Smylie.

The visitors had a goal wiped out for offside as the game become stretched but with the opportunity not taken it was that man Kucharski who capped of a wonderful performance when setting off through the middle once more, set up Sapsford to prod home Sydney FC’s third to settle a thoroughly absorbing tie.

Sydney FC coach Jimmy van Weeren, was one delighted coach at the final whistle.

“How we reacted to the result last week was important,” he said.

“We were not on our game then, but this group of players are showing maturity beyond their years.

“It took time to break down Olympic as they have one of the best defensive units in the NPL and they proved today why.

“Our guys train full-time and are fit and eager and one of our strengths is when we are in transition and the pace we can inject in getting in behind but we also defended well as a unit today.

“It was a terrific performance all around from the players and they deserve a lot of credit for what they are achieving this season but whether it’s first place or a top five position makes no difference, we need to keep that intensity in our game.

“Today was a good result but we’ll look to our next fixture now and get ourselves ready for that.”

It was a different mood in the opposing dressing sheds as Sydney Olympic Coach Ante Juric lamented on what could have been after a tough few days following the Blues’ exit from the Australia Cup bowing out to League One outfit St George City on penalties during the week.

“We spoke about their pace in transition and worked on it but unfortunately didn’t deal with it today,” he said.

“They are very quick in transition; it’s their key and they are very good at it.

“It was a quality game of football, but we need to capitalise on our chances, and we had a number today, that we didn’t put away.

“This is just one game and it’s a long season and you need to learn from each result and look toward improving on it.

“Although we would have preferred a different outcome, it is one game and there’s plenty of games to come so we’ll prepare for next week and focus on that.”

Match Stats

Sydney FC 3 (Jaiden Kucharski 59’,70’, Zac Sapsford 85’)

Sydney Olympic 1 (Marley Peterson 54’)

Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale

Sunday 24th April 2022

Referee: Christian Verdicchio

Assistants: Brodie Merchant and Amir Hosnani

Fourth Official: Nicholas Kour

Sydney FC: 20. Max Vartuli, 3. Aaron Gurd, 4. Nathan Grimaldi, 7. Aidan Simmons, 10. Jaiden Kucharski, 12. Jake Girdwood-Reich, 13. Clayton Taylor, 14. Zac Sapsford, 17. Jayden Trenkoski, 18. Oscar Priestman, 28. Louis Agosti (16. Matthew Scarcella 62’)

Subs not used: 1. Gus Hoesfloot, 5.Kai Kamikura, 15. Luka Smyth, 27. Dejan Bakrdanikoski, 33. Zane Schreiber

Yellow Cards: Grimaldi 41’

Red Cards: Nil

Sydney Olympic: 1. Nick Sorras, 3. Nikola Udjer, 4. Ben Van Meurs, 5. Michael Glassock, 7. Will Angel (12. Mathieu Cordier 46’), 8. Sam McIlhatton (22. Fabio Ferreira 79’), 9. Oliver Pufflet (10. Brendan Cholakian 79’), 11. Adam Parkhouse (17. Marley Peterson 29’), 19. Darcy Burgess, 23. Daniel Dias, 99. Roy O’Donovan

Subs not used: 2. Tom Whiteside, 20. Chris Parsons

Yellow Cards: Mathieu Cordier 52’, Marley Peterson 74’, Ben van Meurs 90+2’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Jaiden Kucharski (SFC)

2 – Zac Sapsford (SFC)

1 – Oscar Priestman (SFC)

-By NPL NSW Men’s Reporter Micky Brock

 

Blacktown City snap Sydney FC’s winning streak

By

An incredible six-goal thriller ended Sydney FC’s unbeaten run as Blacktown City secured a 4-2 victory over the young sky blues on Sunday afternoon at Blacktown City Sports Centre.

A double from Jordan Smylie and goals from Hiroaki Ayoyama and a deflected own goal from Sydney FC gave the hosts a 4-0 lead at the half time break, and despite Jaiden Kucharski and Zac Sapsford getting Sydney FC back into the game in the second half, it was too little too late for the league leaders to salvage any points from the battle.

Sky Blues coach Jimmy Van Weeren had to also contend with losing several of his usual starters to the senior squad currently playing in the AFC Asian Champions League.

Adrian Segecic, Patrick Wood, Corey Hollman, Jake Girdwood-Reich, Clayton Taylor and Adam Pavlesic were all absent from the squad.

The loss will see Sydney FC drop out of the top spot as Blacktown City add a valuable three points to their tally after a tough start to the 2022 season.

Sydney FC started off the match with fire, with some combination play seeing Clayton Taylor with a shot in the first minute but his attempt was deflected by Blacktown City defender Grant Lynch.

Despite the visitors managing the opening chance, Blacktown City signalled their intention to convert their chances and dominate the match with an opening goal in the 4th minute.

Dakota Askew sent a ball across to Mario Shabow, whose first effort was blocked by Sydney FC’s defence.

Adam Berry collected the ball outside the area and sent a shot towards the target, which Sydney FC’s Matthew Scarcella got a touch on before it hit the back of the net.

The second goal came quickly, with Japanese import Aoyama capitalising on a chance in the 7th minute.

Askew sent a cross into the area from the right that was headed out of danger by Sydney FC defender Nathan Grimaldi.

Aoyama jumped on the ball from Grimaldi and sent a powerful strike over the line and into the top netting to double the lead for the home side.

There was barely time for fans to celebrate the first two goals as Smylie managed the third for the hosts in just the 10th minute.

Mitchell Mallia crossed the ball in to Smylie, who couldn’t get it on target as Sydney FC goalkeeper Max Vartuli stuck a foot out to block the ball and Sydney FC’s defensive line headed it away.

The clearance fell to Smylie in prime position and the attacker hit a volley to finish off a trifecta for the hosts within the opening 10 minutes.

Blacktown continued to create chances in the early stages of the match, holding Sydney FC off to limit their chances.

The hosts were awarded a penalty in the 40th minute and, in the absence of captain Matthew Lewis, Adam Berry stepped up to the spot.

Vartuli read his effort well and dived to reject the goal, sending the ball back to Berry for a second attempt but the young ‘keeper saved yet again.

While he was able to save two attempts resulting from the penalty kick, he couldn’t manage to save the third from a hungry Smylie who tapped it in from just in front of the goal to secure his second and Blacktown’s fourth – it was the former Central Coast Mariners striker’s sixth goal for his new club.

The hosts came close again in the 57th minute as Mallia made a forward run and cut through to Smylie in a central position.

Smylie took a shot that Sydney FC’s Adian Simmons managed to get a touch on before ‘keeper Vartuli spectacularly knocked it out of contention with a stretched touch from his fingertips.

Sydney FC looked primed to secure their first goal of the match in the 68th minute as Taylor set up Sapsford, but Blacktown City goalkeeper Alex Robinson pulled off a quality save to deny.

Kucharski managed to capitalise on the resultant throw in, working his way into the goalmouth to send a shot past Robinson in the 69th, taking the visitors to two – the goal was to be his sixth of the 2022 campaign.

Blacktown were calling to referee Craig Fisher for a goal in the 73rd minute as they were convinced an Askew header from a corner set-piece passed the line before Kucharski cleared it from the goalmouth.

Despite their outcries Fisher let the game play on as Vartuli collected the ball and played out from the goal.

Blacktown came asking for another in the 71st minute as Mallia sent a left-footed strike towards the target, but Vartuli knocked it wide and out of play.

Despite the hosts continuing to create chances, it was Sydney FC who would secure the next goal in the 79th minute.

A ball over the top from Oscar Priestman landed at the feet of Kucharski after he used his pace to outrun Nicholas O’Brien and crossed into Sapsford in prime position in front of the goal.

Sapsford fired a shot that came into contact with Robinson before crossing the line and hitting the back netting.

Both sides continued to create chances in the final stages of the match but weren’t able to net any more, leaving the game to wrap up at 4-2 in an entertaining clash.

Match Stats

Blacktown City FC 4 (Matthew Scarella 4’OG, Hiroaki Ayoyama 7’, Jordan Smylie 10’, 41’p)

Sydney FC 2 (Jaiden Kucharski 69’, Zac Sapsford 79’)

Sunday, 17th April, 2022

Blacktown City Sports Centre, Seven Hills

Referee: Craig Fisher

Assistant Referees: Matthew Staples and Samuel Quinn

Fourth Official: Hadi Al-Nakeeb

Blacktown City FC: 3. Daniel Collins, 4. Lachlan Campbell (18. Nicholas O’Brien 45’), 5. Grant Lynch, 7. Jordan Smylie (21. Charles Mendy 79’), 10. Mario Shabow, 11. Mitchell Mallia (9. Jake Trew 79’), 17. Dakota Askew, 19. Adam Berry (6. Matthew Lewis 60’), 24. Jackson Bandiera (8. Jak O’Brien 60’), 30. Alex Robinson, 32. Hiroaki Aoyama

Substitutes Not Used: 40. Dylan Niski

Yellow Cards: Shabow 82’

Red Cards: Nil

Sydney FC: 3. Aaron Gurd, 4. Nathan Grimaldi (26. Dejan Bakrdanikoski 45’), 5. Kai Kamikura (19. Morrie Kamara 82’), 7. Aidan Simmons, 9. Ben Gibson (28. Louis Agosti 45’), 10. Jaiden Kucharski, 13. Clayton Taylor (33. Zane Schreiber 73’), 14. Zac Sapsford, 16. Matthew Scarella (15. Luka Smyth 73’), 18. Oscar Priestman, 20. Max Vartuli

Substitutes Not Used: 1. Gus Hoefsloot

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Jordan Smylie (BC)

2 – Hiroaki Aoyama (BC)

1 – Jaiden Kucharski (SFC)

By National Premier Leagues NSW Editor Madeline Riley