Sydney FC 3-0 Adelaide United
by Jonathon Hagger (24/3/24)
Above: Mackenzie Hawkesby celebrates her goal that put Sydney FC 2-0 up. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
Two early goals set Sydney FC on the way to victory over Adelaide United today, with Ante Juric’s side now needing three points from their last two games to clinch a fourth straight Premiers Plate.
The early momentum on the match sat with the Sky Blues who progressed the ball with ease through the defensive line of Adelaide. Young prodigy Tallon-Henniker made short work of her defender in only the fifth minute off a crisp through ball from Hawkesby. The ensuing corner didn’t result in a goal but it did signal that Sydney were fully engaged.
Sydney midfielder Chauvet demonstrated her class repeatedly with very slick passing through to her forwards. One such pass that was collected by Lemon, was expertly played through to Tallon-Henniker who put away an easy tap in to put the Sky Blues up 1-0 after eight minutes.
Emily Hodgson wasn’t prepared to let Sydney have it all their way, and with a deft cut-in run from the left-hand sideline in the 15th minute, opened up space for Dawber to have a shot on goal that narrowly went over the top of the crossbar.
The high press being employed by Sydney FC resulted in a second goal in the 23rd minute as the wonder boot, Mackenzie Hawkesby, received a dinky little pass from Cortnee Vine dead straight in front of goal. Adelaide’s lack of attention to clearing the ball resulted in a costly turnover. With a powerful shot coming from Hawkesby’ right boot, Grove the Adelaide goalkeeper, was well and truly beaten by the flight of the ball as it sailed above her fully outstretched arm and into the net.
Eventually, Adelaide were able to build pressure through possession. An on-target shot on goal from 20 metres out by Morgan was easily dealt with by Whyman in the Sydney goal, who had plenty of time to see it coming.
The second half started in much the same way as the first half finished. Both teams being happy to maintain possession and slowly exert pressure. Neither really looked threatening for long periods of play as the midfields cancelled each other out.
In a repeat of the events leading to the second goal of the match, Adelaide’s indifference to shifting the ball upfield almost cost them a goal in the 47th minute. Cortnee Vine’s pressure on Grove caused an error with a cheeky attempt on goal just spraying wide.
Shortly afterwards, Dawber decided to take the responsibility of scoring on herself and set off up field with a quality run. Beating her defender on the right side, the Adelaide star was able to both progress the ball and get into a scoring position. However, Whyman was able to collect the ball.
Adelaide had another opportunity to reduce the deficit when Isobel Hodgson was extremely unlucky. A beautifully weighted kick across the face of goal only needed a slight touch from an attacking player and it would have been a sure goal. Sadly for Adelaide, the ball sailed right past Hodgson’s body. What could have been the turning point of the match for Adelaide came to zero.
Not one to be outshined, Vine made a clean breakthrough run off a precise long ball from McLean in the 68th minute. What normally would have been an easy goal for Vine when going one on one against the keeper, was defused by Grove. 99 times out of 100 Vine would score that goal but the football gods smiled on the Adelaide goalkeeper in this instance.
Luck remained with Grove again soon after as she dealt with another shot by Vine. Shooting from a tight angle on the left-hand side. Vine’s right footed shot was tapped over the bar by the fully outstretched Adelaide keeper..
Vine was in a goal-scoring mood, and in the 77th minute, again off poor concentration by Adelaide, she bamboozled the goalkeeper by weaving around Grove and scored her 10th goal of the A-League season.
It was smiles all round for the victorious Sydney FC side who made their win look easy. The Sky Blues will clinch a fourth successive Premiers Plate if they defeat Canberra United in their game in hand on Wednesday
Sydney played with incredible discipline in terms of their structure. Every player knows where they are required to be and has trust in Ante Juric’s system. Every position on the pitch has a quality player filling it which is not a luxury many teams have. The key to Sydney’s success is their ability to make time for themselves. Players are put into space, given time to consider their options, and they don’t panic.
Margaux Chauvet put in a tremendous performance. Her vision and high-accuracy passing make her a superb attacking threat. While many opposition teams are keeping an eye on Vine and Hawkesby, Chauvet is the key that unlocks their potential.
While Adelaide control possession of the ball in the matches they play, their decision-making when in the opposition half is an issue. Time after time, the Reds demonstrated their lack of having a go-to player in the centre of the park. The midfield and wings are well able to build pressure and get into scoring positions but the absence of a quality finisher concludes in an inability to score. It’s been a season of ‘what if’ match outcomes for the South Australians. The squad is talented but the mysterious thing called chemistry just isn’t there for them right now.
For United, Chelsie Dawber is re-establishing herself in the team after a long injury lay off. Her passing accuracy is great, her speed is very good and she makes high-quality contributions in defence. While Adelaide haven’t had the greatest of seasons, they have plenty of potential in the foundations for the next season.
Teams: SYDNEY FC (4-3-3): Whyman, McLean, Tumeth, Lemon, Thompson, Chauvet, Hawkesby, Ray, Vine, Ibini, Tallon-Henniker. Substitutes: Black, Hollman (81’), Caspers (63’), Connors (63’), Dos Santos (80’).
Scorers: Tallon-Henniker (8’), Hawkesby (24’), Vine (78’).
ADELAIDE UNITED (4-1-4-1): Grove, E Hodgson, Tonkin, Holtz, Waldus, Morgan, Blake, Dawber, Sasaki, Holmes, I Hodgson. Substitutes: Mullan (71’), Condon (61’), Tolland (83’), Jenkins, Jancevski (71’).
Referee: Kelly Jones.
Attendance: TBC.
Follow Impetus ’71 on social media –
Twitter (X): @impetusfootball and @impetus71 TikTok: @Impetus71 Facebook: @Impetus71
Instagram: @Impetus_71 Threads: @Impetus_71
impetusfootball.org 