W-League: Champions Sydney start season in style

Sydney FC have started their championship defence in style as they again defeated their Grand Final combatants from last year Melbourne Victory 5-1 in the opening round of the Westfield W-League at Melbourne’s Lakeside Stadium.

The champions overcame conceding a goal in the opening five minutes, scoring four answered to again claim bragging rights over the Victory.

The afternoon started promisingly for Melbourne as debutant Emma Checker headed home a corner after three minutes.

It was the opening minutes of the game that Victory enjoyed their best run of play as they looked to extend their lead.

Lisa De Vanna enjoyed a bright start for her new club as she threatened the Sydney defence on more than one occasion, coming close to getting on the scoresheet with a long range effort that forced a brilliant save from Sydney’s Casy Dumont.

Victory’s momentum was dead and buried when Sydney equalised the match courtesy of a goal by Leena Khamis. It was an another effort from a corner play as Victory were unable to clear the line

It was one way traffic from that moment on as Sydney FC showed the competition they have what to takes to go back to back.

It took of all two minutes for Sydney to take the lead after drawing level with Nicola Bolger converting from close range. The rest of the first half failed to deliver the excitement that was offered before Sydney’s second as the visitors went into the sheds with a 2-1 advantage.

Sydney didn’t give Melbourne a sniff in the second as the champs further increased their lead by three goals, ensuring the Victory received a heavy opening day defeat.

Former Melbourne player Jodie Taylor enjoyed a prosperous day against her former team mates, unlucky with two great chances before finally beating 'keeper Bree Davey thanks to some great work from Bolger. 

Sydney wrapped up their resounding result with Bolger grabbing her second and Emma Kete coming off the bench to score a cracker on the half volley.

It wasn’t the start new Victory coach Dave Edmendson was looking for in his first game in charge. Victory are hot favourites to go one better this season but their campaign could not have got off to a worse start against the side that beat them to the glory last year. 

In contrast, it couldn't have gone better for the Sky Blues who showed they are a force to be reckoned with this year after what was a classy display in Melbourne.