Canberra United 0-1 Sydney FC
By Kieran Yap
Above: Mackenzie Hawkesby and Sydney FC after their vital win Photo: Sydney FC
Sydney FC have dealt Canberra United’s season a damaging blow with a 1-0 win away at Mckellar Park. Mckenzie Hawkesby scored the only goal in a game that was not short of chances, and where the home side was controversially denied one of their own.
Sydney FC came into this game looking for their second consecutive win and their fifth of the season. They faced a Canberra United side who still had finals football in their sights and lost in a 4-3 thriller against Western United the previous week.
Sydney FC continued with Mackenzie Hawkesby in attack. She spearheaded a side that light on experience but brimming with potential. Lucy Johnson was the only member of the midfield that was not a teenager. The Tasmanian was joined by Young Matildas Indiana dos Santos, Caley Tallon-Henniker, Shay Hollman and Maddie Caspers.
Canberra United rotated again after their second interstate match in two weeks. Emma Robers, Teagan Bertolissio and Mary Stanic-Floody all came into the starting XI for the must-win game.
The home side had the first great chance of the game. Sending a scare through Sydney FC fans as a Robers corner kick was headed onto the crossbar by Bertolissio.
Jordan Thompson and Tori Tumeth both had swings at a loose ball following a Sydney FC corner, but as it was at the other end, the ball could not find the back of the net.
Michelle Heyman’s pass almost set up Aideen Keane for an easy finish, but the young striker was slightly off balance as she met the ball, and Sydney FC were spared again.
As the hour mark approached, Juric turned to his bench and introduced Shea Connors and Millie Farrow into the contest. The pace and directness of Connors in particular caused immediate problems for Canberra’s central defenders. Her run through the middle and left foot effort brought the best out of Sally James.
Madison Ayson thought she had given Canberra United the lead when she turned another corner goalward, the referee’s assistant was better placed to judge than the camera angle on the broadcast, but it looked to be across the line on screens and the home crowd agreed.
That would prove fateful, and in the 78th minute Indiana dos Santos broke free into space behind the Canberra defence. She kept her cool and played a ball across to Hawkesby who slotted home the only goal of the match. It was another impressive contribution by dos Santos. The 17 year old playmaker has obvious ability, but her decision making in the final third is what sets her apart from many in the league. This was another example of why she was signed to a two year extension earlier this season.
A late effort from Keane was blocked by Thompson and Sydney finished the game ahead by the slimmest of margins. They are still closer to the bottom of the ladder than they are the top six, but, mathematically their season is still alive.
A win in next week’s Sydney Derby can make things very interesting, while Canberra United face a tricky away trip to face Perth Glory.
Teams: Canberra United 4-5-1: James, Bertolissio, Ayson, Anton, Taylor-Young, Markovski, Robers, Stanic-Floody, Malone, Keane, Heyman. Substitutes: Mckenzie, Murray, J dos Santos, Christopherson, Majstorovic.
Sydney FC 4-1-4-1: Black, Tumeth, Thompson, Tobin, Lemon, Hollman, Tallon-Henniker, I dos Santos, Johnson, Caspers, Hawkesby. Substitutes: Farrow, Connors, Ibini, Bryson, Mason-Jones.
Goals: Hawkesby 78’.
Referee: Rachael Mitchenson.
Attendance: 2,194.
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