Two Kofi Danning goals were the cornerstone to Sydney FC’s 3-0 National Youth League win over the Newcastle Jets on Saturday afternoon at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Two Kofi Danning goals were the cornerstone to Sydney FC-s 3-0 National Youth League win over the Newcastle Jets on Saturday afternoon at the Sydney Football Stadium.
The Sky Blues locked up the match with three first half goals, thanks to the rocket foot of Danning and the head of Mitchell Speer. The win was Sydney-s fourth on the trot and puts them into second place following an incredible bolt up the table.
A quick tempo start saw the best chances fall to the Sydney youth, as they used their fast forwards to find space behind the Jets high defensive line. Though meaningless half-chances and rattling challenges were all that was witnessed by the growing crowd in the opening 10 minutes.
The Sky Blues eventually found the lead they deserved through the threatening Danning. The goal, unsurprisingly, came from an Austin ball splitting the Newcastle defence, and the fan favourite didn-t hesitate with the finish into the bottom corner.
Perhaps the most impressive part of the goal was watching Danning show off his musical abilities as he strummed the corner flag like an old-school 1980-s rock star.
The Sky Blues continued their dominance as Danning hit the post in the 26th minute before they had a penalty claim turned down by referee Lucien Laverdure. Newcastle tried to halt Sydney with a well struck shot from Steven Veleski, but the Jets best chance of the opening quarter was easily saved.
It turned out to be a lone chance for Newcastle when the Sky Blues doubled their lead through the work of Speer. The accurate free kick from Jared Lum found the head of the centre-back, and the flat footed Jesse Cook could do nothing to keep it out of the net. Though Cook was much more impressive just minutes later when he made a spectacular off-balance diving save to deny Danning with 10 minutes remaining in the first half.
Austin proved pivotal for Sydney once more when he protected his sides open goal with a last gasp dive, blocking Fabian Iacovelli-s shot. The frustration continued for the visitors when they rattled the side-netting straight after.
In the final minute of the first half, Danning added to the pain of Newcastle when his cut-back run and bullet shot beat a desperate Cook. This time the celebration was non-existent, but the strike was immaculate in its own right.
A few half-chances for both sides kicked-off the second half, but it was a Joel Chianese opportunity that threatened the most, his blazing shot from a classy Danning pass going over the crossbar.
Blake Powell looked to get himself on the scoresheet on the hour mark with a cheeky shot from long range, but Cook was not to be embarrassed further as he got across swiftly to keep the ball out. The impressive midfielder Lum also went close four minutes later as the Sky Blues showed they weren-t going to sit back and attempt to defend their three goal lead.
A great save from substitute keeper Aaron Liddell in the 73rd minute denied the Jets a chance to get on the scoreboard. Apart from that forced save, both Sky Blues keepers had very limited to do and Sydney looked comfortable on their way to their fourth straight victory.
The Jets continued to toil away but failed to break down the Sydney defence as they completed a relatively easy 3-0 win.
