A record crowd at Lambert Park, Leichhardt saw Sydney FC fall to Melbourne City FC in the Westfield W-League 2015/16 season opener on Sunday.
Summary
Sydney FC 0 def by. Melbourne City FC 6 (11’, 45’ Crummer, 39’ De Vanna, 43’ Goad, 61’ Tabain, 89’ Ayres)
A record crowd of 960 at Lambert Park, Leichhardt saw Sydney FC fall to Melbourne City FC in the Westfield W-League 2015/16 season opener on Sunday.
Goals to Larissa Crummer, Lisa De Vanna, Beatie Goad, Marianna Tabain and Ayres sealed victory for City in their first ever match in the competition to consign the Sky Blues to an opening day defeat.
Sydney FC conceded early with Crummer bursting into the box and rounding Michelle Betos to tap home, however the Sky Blues eased into the match as they found their rhythm fifteen minutes in.
City dictated midfield with the Sky Blues content to hit on the counter, with chances falling to both sides, however a flurry of goal in a five minute spell at the end of the first half saw City head in with a four nil lead.
Sydney FC emerged the brighter of the two teams in the second 45, with Leena Khamis seeing an effort saved within the first minute of the restart, with Jasmyne Spencer proving particularly troublesome on the right flank.
After dominating possession until the 60th minute the Sky Blues conceded their fifth as Tabain tapped home following an outstanding parry from Betos in goal from Crummer’s initial shot.
Teresa Polias looked to pull one back for the Sky Blues from the penalty spot after Camilleri was fouled with five minutes remaining, however Burke stood tall to deny the Sydney FC captain as Ayres then took the ball up the other end to score City’s sixth and seal victory.
Sydney FC now look ahead to Saturday’s clash against reigning Champions Canberra United at McKellar Park (kick off 4pm).
Goals
11’ CRUMMER GOAL – Crummer bursts into the area before rounding Michelle Betos in goal to tap home the game’s opener.
39’ DE VANNA GOAL – The Westfield Matilda capitalises on a defensive error from the Sky Blues to slip the ball under Betos and into the net from close range.
43’ GOAD GOAL – Goad latches on to a fantastic looped ball over the Sky Blues defence to volley powerfully into the net first time.
45’ CRUMMER GOAL – A slip in defence allows Crummer to charge into the box and side foot past a stranded Betos in goal.
61’ TABAIN GOAL – Michelle Betos’ initial save is parried back into the area and Tabain is on hand to fire home off the legs of Rollason on the line.
89’ AYRES GOAL – Ayres springs the offside trap to side foot past Betos with only a minute remaining.
Key Moments
26’ GOAD CHANCE – Goad breaks one on one with Betos however she fires wide when well placed to score.
32’ SIMON SHOT – With time and space outside the area Kyah Simon fires goalwards, however her low effort sails past the post.
33’ KHAMIS HEADER – Leena Khamis has the crowd off her feet as she leaps highest to head goal bound however the ball flies agonisingly just past the post.
46’ KHAMIS SHOT – Leena Khamis sees her snapshot inside the area saved by Burke in the first attack after the restart.
49’ BETOS SAVE – Lisa De Vanna breaks and looks to chip Betos, however the NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year stands tall to deny the Matilda.
64’ CRUMMER SHOT – With time and space in the box Crummer fires high over the bar when well placed as she searched for her hattrick.
73’ HARRISON PENALTY APPEAL – Harrison bursts into the area and looks to be dragged down as she attempts to cut the ball back, however the referee waves away the appeals.
85’ POLIAS PENALTY SAVE – Trudy Camilleri is bundled over in the area and the Sky Blues captain takes penalty responsibilities, however Burke dives to her left to preserve her clean sheet as she parries the attempt away.
Team News
Sydney FC 0 def by. Melbourne City FC 6 (11’, 45’ Crummer, 39’ De Vanna, 43’ Goad, 61’ Tabain, 89’ Ayres)
Sydney FC Head Coach Daniel Barrett had a full wealth of international talent to call on for his first Westfield W-League match of the 2015/16 season. NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year Michelle Betos made her competitive debut between the posts while season 2014 Sydney FC Golden Boot Jasmyne Spencer also started in her first match back. Dual international Ellyse Perry returned to the starting lineup for the first time in a year while Westfield Matildas Teresa Polias, Nicola Bolger, Amy Harrison, Alanna Kennedy, Kyah Simon and Leena Khamis all strengthened the starting eleven. Princess Ibini and Olivia Price missed the match through injury.
Ground: Lambert Park, Leichhardt
Attendance: 960
Sydney FC: 1. Michelle BETOS (gk), 3. Ellyse PERRY, 4. Sunny FRANCO, 5. Jasmyne SPENCER, 6. Teresa POLIAS, 7. Nicola BOLGER (55’ Trudy CAMILLERI), 8. Amy HARRISON, 10. Renee ROLLASON, 14. Alanna KENNEDY, 17. Kyah SIMON, 19. Leena KHAMIS.
Subs Not Used: 18. Sham KHAMIS (gk), 11. Natalie TOBIN, 15. Teigen ALLEN.
Yellow cards: Franco 62’, Khamis 68’, Harrison 78’.
Red cards: None.
Melbourne City FC: 20. Trudy BURKE (gk), 5. Laura ALLEWAY, 6. Aivi LUIK, 7. Stephanie CATLEY, 9. Larissa CRUMMER, 11. Lisa DE VANNA (c) (70’ Alexandra CHIDIAC), 13. Rebekah STOTT, 15. Amy JACKSON, 16. Beatrice GOAD (83’ Melina AYRES), 17. Marianna TABAIN (88’ Olivia ELLIS), 18. Anisa GUAJARDO.
Subs Not Used: 30. Kelsey QUINN (gk).
Yellow cards: Luik 29’, Guajardo 76’.
Red cards: None.
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