W-LEAGUE: Sydney FC claim bragging rights in derby

The Red and Black Bloc turned up to support the ladies in the second Sydney Derby at Campbelltown Stadium. Although it wasn’t a great day for the Bloc as Sydney FC trumped 3-2 in the final game of the home and away season.

Wanderers had an early chance with a long range shot but went past the left of the goal. Later on in the 8^th minute Ellyse Perry took a shot from long range but just went over the crossbar.

Then Sydney FC took their opportunity a minute later with a brilliant cross by Alanna Kennedy which ended up at Caitlin Foords feet as she hit into the Wanderers net and opened the scoring in the Sydney Derby.

A moment later the Wanderers started putting pressure on for an equaliser with a curling shot by Louise Fors but it was well saved by Shamiran Khamis. The momentum however stayed with Sydney FC as they continued to put pressure on the Wanderers defence with some sublime attack moves around the home side’s penalty box.

Aleisha Clifford tried another long range shot for the Wanderers but didn’t make it into the back of the net, curling over the goal. The Wanderers failed to take their opportunities in the first quarter of the half.

After a massive change in momentum the Wanderers ladies midfielder Louise Fors scored an absolute screamer to equalise in the 30^th minute, Fors curled the ball from 25 yards out which went straight out of the reach of the Sydney FC goalkeeper.

The game was end to end after the Wanderers goal with some fantastic saves coming from each side but then in the 38^th minute Samantha Kerr headed in a cross from Ellyse Perry to get Sydney FC back in front. Sydney FC had a brilliant play before which even included a panna move through the legs of the Western Sydney defender.

The second half opened up a little more with the humidity rising and both sides had multiple chances to score with Sydney FC having the best of the bunch. Western Sydney captain Sarah Walsh also had a breakthrough chance but couldn’t skip past the keeper.

Wanderers were then awarded a penalty as Louise Fors was brought down in the box, Fors decided to take it herself and finished it off calmly to bring the Wanderers back level at 2-2 in the 73^rd minute.

Sydney FC continued to fight with the sky blue being the slightly more dominant side in this fixture, then in the 83^rd minute they went into the lead for the 3^rd time with a goal to Nicola Bolger with her first touch of the game.

After a very attacking game Sydney FC ended up taking the 3 points to give them full hope of making the W-League finals series. Wanderers finish their inaugural season in 6^th place. 

Full time score: Western Sydney Wanderers (Louise Fors (30’, 74’) 2–3 Sydney FC (Caitlin Foord (9’), Samantha Kerr (38’), Nicola Bolger (83’)) (HT: 2-1 Sydney FC)

Referee: Kate Jacewicz

Yellow cards:

Red cards:

Wanderers line-up: Thora Helgadoittir (GK), Samantha Spackman (Racheal Soutar 45’), Alexandra Huynh, Alesha Clifford, Vanessa Hart, Sarah Walsh (c), Servet Uzunlar, Louise Fors, Catherine Cannuli (Trudy Camilleri 81’), Teigen Allen, Linda O’Neill (Jessica Seaman 67’)

Wanderers Subs: Elizabeth Durack (GK)

Sydney FC line-up: Shamiran Khamis (GK), Teresa Polias, Elizabeth Ralston, Samantha Kerr, Caitlin Foord, Renee Rollason, Annalie Longo, Alanna Kennedy (Nicola Bolger 81’), Ellyse Perry (Chloe Logarzo 90’), Kyah Simon (c), Emma Kete (Larissa Crummer 66’)

Sydney FC subs not used: Sian Mclaren (GK)