Late Henry strike seals another win for City as Sydney hit rock bottom

Melbourne City 2-1 Sydney FC

by Emma Burke (15/2/25)

Above: Mackenzie Hawkesby gets a shot away for Sydney FC under pressure. Photo: Adrian Geremia for Impetus.

Melbourne City have kept their undefeated streak alive after defeating Sydney FC 2-1 at AAMI Park – a result that sent the mighty Harbour City side to the bottom of the ladder.

Sydney FC took an early lead against the league leaders through Mackenzie Hawkesby. City played themselves into trouble by playing out through the back, leaving Laura Hughes in trouble when three Sydney attackers descended on her at the top of the box.

Hawkesby came out with the ball and was able to put it past the line out of the reach of City keeper Malena Mieres.

It was Venezuelan striker Mariana Speckmaier who brought City back into the game. The game had kicked off for the second half and all of 24 seconds later, Speckmaier had found the back of the net. 

After picking up the ball at the halfway line, she went alone unchallenged before firing from distance and beating a diving Beth Mason-Jones in goal.

City found their winner at the last moment, Lourdes Bosch, released by Leticia McKenna, managed a pass before being brought down at the top of the box to play in Bryleeh Henry.

Out wide, Henry took the shot immediately on a tight angle and successfully rescued all three points for Melbourne City.

Check out Adrian Geremia and Tilly McDonald’s photo galleries for Impetus from AAMI Park on our Instagram page @ImpetusFootball

Teams: MELBOURNE CITY (4-2-2-2): Mieres, Apostolakis, Stott, Otto, Roestbakken, McKenna, Hughes, Bosch, Speckmaier, Pollicina, McNamara. Substitutes: Vlajnic, McMahon, Henry.

Scorers: Speckmaier 46’, Henry 89’.

SYDNEY FC (4-3-3): Mason-Jones, Lemon, Tobin, Thompson, Tumeth, Caspers, Hollman, Dos Santos, Ibini, Hawkesby, Tallon-Henniker. Substitutes: Johnson, Luchtmeijer.

Scorer: Hawkesby 13’.

Referee: Isabella Mossin

Attendance: 1,216.

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