Sydney FC youth team played out a five goal thriller to run out 3-2 winners against Newcastle Jets at Lambert Park on Saturday.
In stifling conditions which required two drink breaks per half Sydney FC took the early initiative when a great run by Ben Koop set up Harry Van Der Saag who shot low and hard from the edge of the penalty area sending the ball into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
However ten minutes later the Jets drew level when Jack Simmons slipped in between his markers to volley home the equaliser from close range for 1-1.
Newcastle took the lead just before the break when A-Leaguer, Joey Champness, rifled in a low drive to edge the Jets out to 2-1 at half time.
Sydney FC opened the second stanza with swift ball movement as they looked to shift their opponents in the oppressive heat.
With the pressure building from a number of corner kicks, it was a training ground set piece that rewarded Sydney FC with their second goal. A short corner played out to Van Der Saag was swung to the back post for Hamish Lamberton to head home and restore parity in the match at 2-2 after sixty four minutes.
Not content with sharing the points the young Sky Blues pushed forward at every opportunity and in the 89th minute Jordi Swibel slipped a neat pass into the path of Van Der Saag who slammed his shot across the keeper to grab a brace and the winning goal for a 3-2 scoreline.
The result kept Sydney FC’s Conference B premiership hopes alive as they moved to within three points of the Wanderers and still with a game in hand against Canberra United.
Sydney FC will travel to the nations capital on Sunday, 20th January to play their Round 6 catch up fixture at Deakin Stadium, 4:30pm kick off.
Sydney FC 3 (Harry Van Der Saag 11’/89’; Hamish Lamberton 64’) defeated Newcastle Jets 2
