Sydney FC 4 Western United 2
There was a moment in the first half of the A-League men’s game at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night, when almost every supporter was muttering “not again” under their breath as their hearts beat faster when Andrew Redmayne raced out of goal on a whim to try and stem a Western United attack. It brought laughs and sideways glances when this time we were not punished, but it showed just how on edge the Sydney FC fans are when the ball comes anywhere near the goal. But tonight was not about Redders, who had a decent game, this was all about Joe Lolley and his expert finishing, as the home fans were treated to goals in the lead up to Christmas.
Enjoying an afternoon at the pub in Newtown, we were a little behind schedule arriving at today’s game at Moore Park, and the warm-ups were over even before we got to our seats. There was a lot of action at the ticket windows en route, so a big crowd was anticipated, but once we were in our vantage point in Cove Heights it was clear that this was going to be one of the smaller attendances, despite what the official numbers were saying.
The Cove were in fine voice, always enjoying the challenge of filling this big stadium with noise, and there wasn’t any evidence of away support from a visiting team in disarray and unable to draw a crowd during their nomadic early years. When Angus Thurgate was left all alone at the far post from a corner to head home after only a handful of minutes, any thoughts of a strong Sydney FC showing today looked unlikely, and there were chances soon after to make it two, as the Sky Blue defence seemed unsure of their remit and gave the visitors time and space to fashion more good chances.
At the other end, Sydney looked very capable, but as always lacking that cutting edge from the final ball. Lolley fired in a cross, almost a carbon copy of the Cortnee Vine goal from Leichhardt Oval the previous evening, and Robert Mak did everything right but could only find Tom Heward-Belle, another one of those youngsters that ‘got away’ and will inevitably come back and haunt us, who somehow smothered up the far end. We couldn’t work out how that had stayed out!
The pressure though was still on and when Gabriel Lacerda was given space to win a header from a corner, it was chaos in the Western penalty area and Fabio Gomes steered the ball into the net for a deserved equaliser. The game was in the balance, and Western United pressed, but Sydney got their noses in front when Lolley scampered to pick up the ball some thirty yards out. He advanced and smashed a low shot that seemed to unsight Heward-Belle and the ball flew in past the desperate late dive for a terrific goal.
Sydney FC were still winning at the break, this was wonderful, and we wondered what would happen in a second half that could go either way.
Happily, the second half started like the first, but it was Sydney FC who grabbed the early advantage, another assist for Joe Lolley as his corner was headed back across goal by Jack Rodwell’s corn rows and into the net for a fantastic goal. We’ve not had this luxury for some time at home, and this felt great, the crowd really getting into it, rubbish filling the air with the Lolo chant down below, and everyone enjoying the football. The Sky Blues made changes, youth coming on for experience, and given the context of the game it was a good call.
So when Western United broke upfield and scored a second to reduce the deficit, it set off those nerves again and Sydney were again under unnecessary pressure. To be fair though, the result never seemed in doubt, and Lolley capped off a terrific performance with the fourth goal, a goal of such simplicity that we were asking why we hadn’t done it more often. Brattan looped the ball to the left to Lolley in space, his control was exquisite and his shimmy and shot were devastating, and the victory was assured, the goal right in front of the Cove, who erupted in delight.
Sydney closed out the game in comfort and the vital three points were in the bag.
The players and fans applauded each other, just like in the good old days, the post-match walkaround though was curtailed in order to get the kids on the field for the annual run around on the hallowed field of this fine venue. Naturally we were on the field to see just what it was like to play football on grass without the Meadowbank Park bobble.
Very interesting to see the difference in the grass where the Robbie Williams concert changed its colour recently – seems like a different type of grass, the lighter being more lush and soft. Perhaps that’s why we’ve started scoring goals.
We were treated to some Jogo Bonito from our CEO Mark Aubrey, more than happy to show off his skills, the ball stuck to his feet like Anthony Caceres, and the general mood on the field was of fun and happiness, no buffoonery involving smashing footballs into the goals which had their nets tied up for the occasion. The early kick off meant an early end to the night, which was needed in the lead up to Christmas in order to get ready for the festive period.
This was a fun night at the football, the result was right, but it must be held in context – this was a game against one of the weakest teams in the competition, and the football at times was definitely not first class. Sydney had that X-factor in Joe Lolley, which paid dividends at the right time, but we will have to be much better against Wellington Phoenix in our final game of 2023. Bring it on, Kosta Barbarouses to come back and terrorise us on home soil?