Sydney FC’s Foxtel Y-League squad moved to outright top of the Conference B ladder after coming from behind three times to defeat the Central Coast Mariners 5-3 in a top of the table clash at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Sunday night.
Central Coast took the early advantage in the 9th minute as Abraham Majok headed home at the far post for a 1-0 lead. However, the Sky Blues hit back three minutes later as Luke Ivanovic outmuscled his opponent in the box to strike inside the near post for 1-1.
With the game transitioning end to end, the Mariners led again after 23 minutes when Alou Kuol found the net for 2-1. Ivanovic was on hand again in the 34th minute to draw Sydney FC level after being played in by Marco Tilio for a 2-2 score line.
The goals kept coming in the first stanza as Central Coast nudged ahead for a third time just before the break when Daniel Hall rose above the defence to glance in his header and the boys in yellow went in at the break 3-2 up.
It took just over five minutes after the restart for Luke Ivanovic to notch his hat-trick and restore parity when he pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area and it was 3-3.
The Sky Blues lifted their intensity and looked dangerous going forward and it was a great save from Aidan Munford to deny Jordi Swibel as he tipped Swibel’s volley over the cross bar to keep the score locked at 3-3.
Sydney FC weren’t to be denied and from the ensuing corner kick Patrick Flottmann connected well with his header to bulge the back of the net and put Sydney in front for the first time at 4-3.
With 83 minutes on the clock Swibel put the game to bed as he blasted his shot into the roof of the net for 5-3 to wrap up the crucial three points.
The result has Sydney FC in the box seat heading Conference B by three points and a superior goal difference over the Mariners with two rounds remaining.
The Young Sky Blues have the bye in Round 8 and with Round 9 being a split round they will be back in action on Saturday 18th January 2020 versus Western Sydney Wanderers at Marconi Stadium 6:00pm kick off.
Sydney FC 5 (Luke Ivanovic 12’/34’/57’; Patrick Flottmann 79’; Jordi Swibel 83’) defeated Central Coast Mariners 3 (Abraham Majok 9’; Alou Kuol 23’; Daniel Hall 45’)
Sydney FC Line Up – Tom Heward-Belle (GK); Harry Van Der Saag (Callum Talbot 65’); Aaron Gurd; Patrick Flottmann; Calem Nieuwenhof; Ryan Teague; Marco Tilio; Jake Hollmann (Jaiden Kucharski 54’); Luke Ivanovic (Cameron Peupion 75’); Jordi Swibel (C)
Subs Not Used – Adam Pavlesic (GK)
