by Alice de Koster-Kitto (16/11/24)

Above: Amy Harrison leads Shea Connors to the ball in the Sydney derby. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.

Sydney FC 1-0 Western Sydney Wanderers 

Sydney FC took home their first win of the season in a 1-0 victory against Western Sydney Wanderers in the highly anticipated Sydney Derby, at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday. 

As expected with any derby, the game kicked off with an immediate intensity on the pitch, however, there was an added level of pressure that could be felt from the first touch. Although Sydney FC has won in the past 5 meetings of these two sides, the game was not one that could be easily predicted, given the 2023/24 Ninja A-League Champions’ current drop in form. Going into the clash, Sydney had not won a game in the first two rounds of the season, which hasn’t happened since the 2018/19 season.

Western Sydney went into the derby, clearly looking to take advantage of their rival’s recent shortcomings, putting intense tactical pressure on the attacking end, while searching for their first Sydney Derby goal since 2019. The visitors’ determination paid off early on, earning them the first real chance of the match, with a header from Paige Hayward in the 3rd minute, which was ultimately blocked. 

Both sides kept the momentum up for the first half, however neither was able to really assert themselves. Although possession was fairly even, it did seem that the Wanderers had the slight upper hand towards the start, capitalizing on their strengths, and playing with a technicality that has been somewhat absent from their game this season.

There were a number of free kicks from both sides, none of which could be turned into a goal, or even a real chance at either end.

Sydney FCs first big chance came from Shea Connors in the 11th minute. Although the shot was blocked by Western Sydney’s Ella Buchanan, it set the hosts up for a streak of strong attempts, shifting the match to a much more even one on the attacking end. 

The energy did not falter as halftime approached, with the opponents equally striving to break the deadlock. Though there was no shortage of opportunities, it appeared that the pressure of such a critical match prevented either side from finishing, falling short several times through the first half. 

With just a few minutes left in the first half, it looked as though if there was to be a goal before the break, it would come from Western Sydney Wanderers. Striking partners Sophie Harding and Cushla Rue continued to put pressure on the champions, however, Sydney’s defense proved too strong to let a goal through, leaving the match scoreless at halftime. 

Following quite a frantic first half, the match returned with a new sense of structure in both teams, despite there being no halftime substitutions. The first substitution of the match was not a planned one, when Sydney FCs Faye Bryson was subbed off after what appeared to be a hip injury. Abbey Lemon replaced Bryson, in the 48th minute, marking her first game of the season. 

The physicality and intensity continued through the second half, and although both sides came back seeming much more sure of themselves, it was still unclear which way the match would go, as it seemed increasingly likely that the derby would end in a draw, for the first time since 2021. 

Sydney FC’s substitutions proved to be the answer to this tight clash when Caley Tallon-Henniker replaced Mackenzie Hawkesby. Though Hawkesby played an excellent game in her 74 minutes on the pitch, Tallon-Henniker brought a certain pace and aggression to the game that was needed for Sydney to assert themselves as the dominant side as stoppage time approached.

In the last 10 minutes of regulation, Sydney FC picked up their game, cleaning up their play, as it became a matter of when they would score, rather than if they would score. 

The first and only goal of the match came from Sydney FC’s Caley Tallon-Henniker, assisted by Shay Hollam in the 86th minute, putting the hosts in the lead, and gearing them toward their first win of the season. 

With the match now heavily in favour of Sydney FC, Western Sydney Wanderers were not willing to go down without a fight, maintaining the same intensity and spirit they started with, through to the last minute. 

The 4 minutes of added time saw visitors desperately search for an equaliser, while Sydney continued to build towards a second goal. Despite their equal efforts, neither side was able to find the back of the net again, ending the match with a 1-0 victory to Sydney FC. 

The win marks Sydney FCs first win of the season and their 6th consecutive Sydney Derby win. 

Both Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers will return to Leichhardt Oval next weekend, playing in the A-League Unite Round. The Wanderers will face Brisbane Roar on Friday evening, as part of the weekend’s first doubleheader., while Sydney will conclude the unite round on Sunday, facing current table leaders, Melbourne City. 

For more of Kris Goman’s photography for us from the game, check out our Instagram page @ImpetusFootball.

Teams: SYDNEY FC (4-3-3): Edwards, Tumeth, Tobin, Thompson, Bryson, Lowry, Hawkesbt, Caspers, Dos Santos, Connors, Ibini. Substitutes: Franco, Hollman, Lemon, Luchtmeijer, Tallon-Henniker.

Goals: Tallon-Henniker 86’.

WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (4-4-2): Khamis, Hayward, Chessari, Harrison, Harding, Saveska, Matos, Buchanan, Rue, Younis, Harada. Substitutes: Segavcic, Ferrus, Price, Trew, Kapetanellis.

Referee: Isabella Mossin 

Attendance: 3,324.

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