Sydney FC’s Foxtel National Youth League squad took the bragging rights over cross town rivals Western Sydney Wanderers with a well deserved 2-1 victory at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday.
The Sky Blues took the early control of the match as they knocked the ball around the park with precision. A couple of early forays into the Wanderers back line by the Sydney fullbacks Cristian Gonzalez on the left and Darcy Madden on the right stretched the Wanderers.
A delightful ball down the line from Aaron Calver set free Madden on the overlap who then cut inside the Western Sydney left back and sent the ball across the face of goal for Jordan Tsekenis to slot home on the back post to give Sydney FC the lead with eight minutes on the clock.
Sydney FC dominated the first half with a high press of their opponents while keeping good ball possession and patience in the build up. The Sky Blues should have had a bigger margin at the break with Max Burgess, Daniel Araujo and George Blackwood gaining good positions inside the penalty area but failing to pull the trigger.
The second period started evenly as both sides were testing each other out in the first 15 minutes with the Wanderers firing off a warning signal as a low shot whistled past the post of an outstretched Anthony Bouzanis.
The scores were level after 59 minutes when the Wanderers opened up the Sky Blue defence through the middle and striker Michael Trajkovski made no mistake from 15 metres to set the scores at one goal each.
Sydney FC were momentarily on the back foot as the goal lifted the Wanderers and they gained the ascendency. The Sky Blues dug deep however, and James Andrew injected some spark on the right with his pace almost setting up Blackwood who’s on target header was saved by the Wanderers keeper.
The Sky Blues kept pushing and their pressure paid off when Tsekenis latched onto a wayward back pass from the Western Sydney centre back only to be brought down as he drove into the box for a clear cut penalty.
Blackwood stepped up and made no mistake sending Tom Manos the wrong way as he rifled home the spot kick to edge Sydney in front 2-1 after 84 minutes. Blackwood should have made it 3-1 in the final minute but his close range effort shaved the post and went wide as the full time whistle blew to hand Sydney FC the three points.
Sydney FC 2 (Tsekenis 8′; Blackwood 84′) defeated Western Sydney Wanderers 1 (Trajkovski 59′)
Line Up: Anthony Bouzanis; Darcy Madden; Aaron Calver (Themba Muata-Marlow 45′); George Timotheou; Cristian Gonzalez; Hagi Gligor (Dylan Caton 62′); Max Burgess; Daniel Araujo; Chris Naumoff (James Andrew 45′); George Blackwood; Jordan Tsekenis
Sub Not Used: Matthew Symes (GK)
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