Sydney FC returned to winning ways in the Westfield W-League following a 6-0 thumping of Adelaide United at the Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday.
Sydney FC returned to winning ways in the Westfield W-League following a 6-0 thumping of Adelaide United at the Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday.
The Sky Blues put last week-s 1-1 draw against Brisbane Roar behind them with a classy performance against the Reds.
With striker Sarah Walsh scoring a brace and a classy midfield adding gloss to a polished Sydney performance, the Sky Blues were clinical in their execution taking almost every opportunity on offer.
The home fans didn-t have to wait long to find their voice when a seventh minute free kick was awarded on the right flank of Adelaide-s box. Heather Garriock-s cross was headed into the top bar and fell to the feet of Alesha Clifford. Her simple tap in presented the defender with her first ever W-League goal.
Sydney continued to dominate and their persistence was rewarded with a 23rd minute wonder strike by Walsh. Breaking from her defender, an optimistic Walsh volleyed from outside the box. The shot was inch perfect and could only be watched by the Red-s keeper Sian McLaren as it arced over her head.
“I wasn-t sure how far out I was. It was worth a shot and it was lucky it dipped the way it did. It was a one in a million shot,” Walsh said of the goal.
Minutes later the white hot Walsh found space attacking United-s right sided defence. Her speed off the mark created an opening for Garriock, who should have done better with her chance as she dragged it wide.
The Adelaide flood gates were starting to open and Sydney went three up on the half hour mark. McLaren failed to deal with an over hit through ball, and her clearance rolled into the path of Walsh and the No.9 walked the ball into the unguarded net.
Adelaide started the second half with renewed energy, and almost caught Sydney napping in the 48th minute. Striker Tenneille Boaler created space and fired a shot from the edge of the box that sailed dangerously close to Sydney keeper Nikola Deiter-s far post.
The Sky Blues were justifying their lofty position on the ladder and added a fourth goal in the 60th minute with some classy interplay. Leena Khamis timed her run to perfection, meeting Linda O-Neill-s well delivered cross to head the ball home.
Sydney continued finding space and their superior speed and stamina was running the United defence ragged. Substitutes Michelle Carney and Catherine Cannulli inflicted further pain to Adelaide-s day by adding a further two goals to round out the goal fest.
The Sky Blues play their next Westfield W-League match against the Melbourne Victory at Deakin Reserve on Saturday, 7 November.
Match Detail
Sydney FC 6 (CLIFFORD 7′, WALSH 23’/30′, KHAMIS 60′, CARNEY 73′, CANNULLI 84′)
Adelaide United FC 0
Sydney FC Line-up:: 1. Nikola DEITER (gk), 4. Alesha CLIFFORD, 6. Servet UZUNLAR, 7. Heather GARRIOCK (c), 8. Julie RYDAHL (13. Catherine CANNULLI 77′), 9. Sarah WALSH (12. Michelle CARNEY 64′), 10. Kylie LEDBROOK, 11. Cathrine PAASKE, 15. Kyah SIMON, 16. Linda O’NEILL (5. Lisa GILBERT 74′), 19. Leena KHAMIS.
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Carla MONFORTE (gk).
Yellow Cards: 5. Lisa Gilbert 89′.
Red Cards: Nil.
Goals: 4. Alesha CLIFFORD 7′, 9. Sarah WALSH 23’/30′, 19. Leena KHAMIS 60′, 12. Michelle CARNEY 73′, 13. Catherine CANNULLI 84′.
Adelaide United FC Line-up:: 1. Sian McLAREN (gk), 2. Ebony WEIDENBACH, 3. Renee HARRISON, 7. Racheal QUIGLEY, 11. Georgia CHAPMAN (10. Marijana RAJCIC), 12. Katerina BEXIS (9. Angelo FIMMANO), 14. Donna COCKAYNE, 16. Christina PAPAGEORGIOU (c), 17. Karina ROWETH, 18. Rochelle KUHAR, 19. Nenita BURGESS (15. Tenneille BOALER 34′).
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Kristi HARVEY (gk).
Yellow Cards: 3. Renee HARRISON 64′, 2. Ebony WEIDENBACH 76′, 16. Christina PAPAGEORGIOU 82′.
Red Cards: Nil.
Goals: Nil.
Referee: Kirralee Gardener.
