Socceroos’ 12-0 away day in Canberra

Lebanon 0 Australia 5

Tuesday night in Canberra, and a hastily arranged international fixture brought the Socceroos to GIO Stadium to play a second FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying game against Lebanon in a week. Swathes of empty seats at kick off belied the belief that this game was a sell-out, the now predictable transport issues of this ageing venue causing headaches once again; those present were already celebrating after two minutes when Kusini Yengi converted a delicious Craig Goodwin cross at the near post to open the scoring. With the scoreboard programmed for the oval ball, the score quickly blew out to 0-12 and stayed that way until the temporary residents worked out how to increment by one, but the Socceroos couldn’t add to their tally at the break despite some simple chances. A second half in the comfort zone was started with an unlucky own goal, followed immediately by the sweetest strike you’ll see from Goodwin, and goals from John Iredale and Goodwin once more had us at 0-5 at the end. Lebanon were all over Australia for a short time towards the end as Josh Nisbet’s debut didn’t quite go to plan, but in truth the game was over in the 50th minute and this was good practice for the much much harder games to come in the next round of qualification.

A midday departure from Sydney and a dream run down the highway had us at GIO Stadium soon after 3pm, banner, flags and the drum in place, ready for the evening’s entertainment. The stadium and the playing surface were perfect in the hot afternoon sun, and this moment gave us memories of the Matildas last visit here two years ago when Alanna Kennedy broke her nose, Aivi Luik shaved off her locks, Australia prevailed against New Zealand and the country was starting to go Matildas crazy. That gave us a bit of time to check in to our accommodation on Northbourne Avenue and then head down to King O’Malley’s for a 0% Guinness and a quick chat with our fellow Socceroos tragics on a picture-perfect autumn day. Oh, happy birthday Matty!

Experience led me to fetch the car at 6pm and head back to pick up the gang, instead of relying on the well-intentioned but inevitably unreliable shuttle buses through peak-hour traffic. The hour we spent in heavy traffic last time here, and this nerdy-square killjoy decided that an early departure from the pleasant surrounds of the patio in front of the pub would be preferred to a late arrival and potentially missing some of the game. Turns out we got to GIO Stadium well ahead of time, but then stood perplexed as the players emerged for the anthems to a half-empty venue.

Smoke haze from a burn off behind Black Mountain that we could see earlier in the day made for some spectacular shots of the stadium as night fell. The scene was set. The players lined up for the anthems, Australia first as the away team, the active fans in the end opposite to where we would normally be for a home game. Surprisingly there was very little interest from the Lebanese community, a handful of flags and a few white and red shirts, but very little noise to suggest there was much support. The anthems were well received for both teams, and the game was underway soon after.

You can watch highlights of the game online, but from the active fan’s point of view, this was a tough one. It was clear that the rest of the fans in the active bay were disinterested in making noise or standing up, more of a theatre crowd than a football crowd, and hey, there’s nothing wrong with that. No doubt they had no idea they were in the active area anyway, and after explaining that no, I wasn’t going to sit down, the group behind were quick to relocate into empty seats around the bay. Such a common scenario, and one that does often end in angst. Remember those fiesty mums who insisted on sitting in their allocated seats at Townsville, and ended up joining in? One day we’ll get it right and there’ll be a full active bay with fully active fans. Those few fans that did subscribe to actively baracking for their team were on point though, MMTV on the drum bashing away for the duration and revving up the crowd. Poor Chris received a stray ball in the scone from some wayward shooting practice from the Aussies pre-game, but even that couldn’t dampen his spirits.

The scoreboard provided some amusement for the crowd, the score sitting at 0-4 after the opening goal before blowing out to 0-8 for a few minutes as play went on, and then peaking at 0-12 before someone worked out how to bring the scores back down and 0-1 was confirmed as the scoreline to a big roar. That first goal up the far end looked strange – it took a view on the big screen to see that Yengi had hit the post and the ball had ricocheted off him for a freak goal. Definite suspicion of offside in the build-up but we didn’t care. No VAR as far as we were aware. There were quite a few good opportunities, Harry Souttar rising at the far post to head against the post, and it was a surprise that the score was only 1-0 at the break. Patient build-up or slow decision-making, take your pick.

The active block had been joined by Mike Polak, old school Green and Gold Army and Independent Boys Australia stalwart as well as deft lyricist, with his young son Leo, and also an eager Portsmouth fan who muscled in for a quick bash on the drum but was good value with his singing and chanting for the rest of the game. This gave us some volume for the rest of the game and we’d like to think we made at least some noise to pierce the deafening silence from the rest of the pedestrian Canberra crowd.

A poignant moment at half time when Michelle was approached by Sarah, daughter of Adam Dunbar, a loyal follower of the Socceroos over the years, who just wanted to connect with the active supporters in memory of her dad who sadly passed away. Great to see that the active fans are considered a family, although for this Canberra crowd it was probably the family members that you invite over once a year and look forward to them leaving as soon as they arrive.

Half time was also time for some hi-jinks from some Aussie larrikin or other, a content-creator who played goalkeeper against a wee little girl and played the pantomime villain perfectly by saving a penalty that was meant to raise money for charity. The skit went on a bit, eventually the referee appearing from the tunnel and impatiently blowing his whistle to push them along a bit. They continued after the Lebanon team had come out, looking bemused at a bunch of Aussies larking around in their goal. The crowd seemed to like it. I wasn’t quite following, but as a foreigner to Tik-Tok, that was no surprise.

The second half was good fun. Australia scored straight away, a free kick saved by the Lebanon goalkeeper and deflected into the net by a defender, almost a carbon copy of Yengi’s goal. They scored again within a minute, and what a beautiful strike. A swift break from the back and a lofted ball out to Goodwin sat up. It looked a perfect scenario for a shot on goal on the half volley, one that usually sees the ball end up in the crowd, but Goodwin’s exquisite execution saw him catch the ball perfectly to drill the ball home for a cracker. His goal celebration was odd, making a mask for himself like superman; someone will need to explain it, or maybe he’s already talked through it before. Whatever the case, it was a superb finish. Patrick Yazbek then crossed perfectly for John Iredale to nudge home, and he seemed to be emotional as he celebrated in front of the fans. That left Goodwin to complete the scoring when Iredale’s cross was diverted into his path. Of course this all took place behind the advertising hoardings so we couldn’t really see, but a bit of imagination and we could tell the ball was there to be buried. Which he did. Goodwin booted the ball so high in the air in celebration.

MMTV dismissed a young wannabe and his youthful sidekick who wanted to take over the drum – perhaps the fact that he was an unknown, wasn’t joining in at all, wasn’t even in the active group, you know, the basics, counted against him. The mood down in the cheap seats as the game wore on was great – lots of attempted new chants that got the crowd going, plenty of laughs and nothing to worry about on the field, even when Lebanon seemed to take the game by the scruff of the neck in search of a consolation goal. Nisbet played a few misplaced passes and was dispossessed, but he did get a good reception when he came on. The waving of the flags prompted calls from behind to ‘put the bloody flag down‘ as the game came to its conclusion – after all the pitch of the seats is remarkably shallow – and the final whistle was greeted with muted celebration as a lot of people had sloped off early to try and get ahead of the impending traffic chaos on a school night.

The players were given miniature balls to hoof into the crowd and eventually came to our end. Yengi hurdled the advertising hoardings and made his way straight to our Pompey contingent and handed over his signed ball, a lovely touch for a fella who was quite obviously an ardent fan. The flags and poles wrapped up and we were off, walking past the post-match chat from our friends at Paramount Plus as the players completed their circuit. We headed out into the traffic, which wasn’t that bad given the volume of cars, and headed back to base camp for some late-night beers in front of a replay of the game that we had watched from a distance, over the hoardings, past the flags and through the net. Goodwin’s goal was a cracker still.

Was this the best national team experience? No, I don’t believe it was. There was some good football, a lot less play-acting than expected, and our Socceroos won handsomely to continue their march to Mexico. Football Australia looked after us with an active bay which was small but vocal, and trying out some new very viable chants was great. He drives flashy cars, gets paid in gold bars, walking in a Goodwin wonderland. Love it. The traffic nonsense and the half-empty stadium at kick off and at the final whistle was a shame, and the home crowd was very quiet, only rousing for a Mexican wave that ran around the stadium even though the action on the field was absorbing at the time. One day, one day, we’ll have a scenario where everyone in the stadium is invested in the game, the result is key, the desire to make noise will take over, and we’ll have the whole venue rocking to raucous fevered chanting. In unison. With passion. Not just yet though.

This post is dedicated to the memory of Adam Dunbar. If you or anyone you know is suffering from PTSD, make sure you seek help.

Half a game better than no game at all

Sydney FC 3 Adelaide United 0

So, have you ever seen only half a game? I’m not talking on the telly, or rocking up early to your game early and seeing half of the game before, this is about the one game that you wanted to see, and you only caught a part of it. Today was the day, when a 4pm kick off at Leichhardt Oval for Sydney FC Women collided head on with a 2pm kick off for Blacktown City Women Under 20s at Landen Stadium in Lalor Park. About an hour’s drive with the game ending around 3.45pm, I had to seriously ask myself was it worth it? Especially when I had to drive all the way back to pick up Aurelia after the first grade game and the team post-game Sunday dinner. Did a two-hour drive through Sydney to catch a bit of a game make the cut? You betcha…

Starting the journey through suburban Sydney, I had time to reflect on how many times I’d seen just a bit of a game. Earliest memories are a 3pm Saturday game in Ipswich when I was following the Toon around England in my mis-spent youth; the epic journey from Tyneside, in that season when we nearly went down to Division 3 saw only a single bus make the trip, the official supporters club bus with the real hardcore fans, and the bloody thing broke down just as we exited the A1. A lengthy wait for a replacement saw us pull in to Portman Road just before half time. We’d missed a cracker from Gavin Peacock, but were there just in time to see him score his best ever, clipping the ball into the net in front of a packed away end, which included some of the non-playing Newcastle players. We lost in the end and looked doomed to relegation, and we got back to Newcastle so late I had to ring my dad to pick me up as the last bus had gone. But the memory was etched forever.

Another time we had a game against West Ham, which was played at Charlton, or it may have been a Charlton game played at West Ham, and our bus took a wrong turn in London, doing a crazy three-point turn in front of White Hart Lane before finally making it well into the second half after a seven-hour trek. We lost that one too but we saw our only goal in the 2-1 defeat. And most annoyingly the 1-1 draw at Upton Park against West Ham. I had a lift from the Midlands for this night-time game and the designated driver was about two hours late. We then parked at a tube station that was so far from Upton Park that we were caught out by trackwork and sprinted through the streets to arrive just after half-time with our team a goal ahead. Alas, we couldn’t hold the lead, and we drew, and spilling out into the streets afterwards was a very tense scenario with hundreds of police officers ready for trouble.

Of course there have been plenty of games where we’ve arrived a minute or two late, but it’s very rare that I’ll accept the fact that I’m going to arrive late and actively plan around it. After hoping that a fitness centre patron would pull out of the main car park in front of the stadium, and then finding all the spaces in front of Le Montage full, I chanced on a spot on Lilyfield Road, but was totally disoriented and didn’t realise I was walking up a deserted Mary Street until I recognised the house with the pointy trees. If you ever wondered what is going on outside the stadium when a game is on, it’s not much! Not a soul at the gate and the security guards showed me in, card scanned and half time in full swing. By the time I’d visited the bathroom and bought a CC and Dry from the window, the game was back underway, and I walked up the far end and up the stairs to take my spot next to Michelle in the active section.

I had only just checked my phone to see the score – we were two up already, and the Sky Blues were on fire already in the second half, shooting towards our end. Cortnee Vine almost forced a comedy goal, closing down the keeper and deflecting the ball goalwards, but the ball just went wide. She then raced on to a lovely chip from Mackenzie Hawkesby to turn sweetly and fire in a shot that was tipped over, but the goal eventually came when Macca played a hopeful ball forward, Vine got lucky and stole the ball ahead of the defender and then was too quick for the Adelaide keeper, racing around her to slot the ball into the empty goal. Lovely stuff!

The rugby league lines were visible for all to see on the field, painted over in a green that didn’t really hide them. It gave rise to new reference points; where was the foul? On the 30m line. That sort of thing. The Cove was in full voice, despite being quite low on active numbers. It certainly felt as though we were making a lot of noise, although when I’d walked up from the entrance just as the second half started, the singing couldn’t be heard that well from down below but the drum was booming. Comments from TV viewers were that the Cove were loud and clear.

Sydney looked for more goals as the final whistle approached, bringing on a wealth of talent from the bench in search for a more comprehensive scoreline. One for our A-League statto Andrew Howe – when did three players with a first name Shay, all spelled differently, come off the bench in an A-League game? It was today – Shea Connors, Shay Hollman and Indiana Shae Dos Santos. What an unimpressive stat! The score remained 3-0 and Sydney FC had set up a chance to claim the premiership in Canberra through the week, or failing that, at least a shot for the premiership next weekend back here against our deadly rivals Melbourne Victory.

It’s a beautiful thing these days when our women win. There is no messing around – these players want to celebrate with the Cove. And it was bloody marvellous, a rousing Super Sydney FC chant that extended to the lo-lo part to get the girls dancing. Absolutely love this, and those days at Kogarah when the players would sheepishly come around to celebrate after being prompted by someone in authority are now gone. This is ritual. This is Sydney FC.

The usual fangirling at the end of the game to see how the players interact with the fans was passed up; I had to get back to Blacktown after all. We spied Adelaide fan Rose at the exit and had a quick catch up, before Michelle, who snagged a car spot in the main car park by using her shopping-centre car-park stealth, dropped me to my car and I raced back to Landen Stadium, pulling into the car park just as the players emerged after their Sunday meal. Impeccable timing!

Adelaide United’s number one fan – The Ladies League’s Rose with Michelle

Was it worth it? Yes it bloody was, and all talk was now excitedly turning to Wednesday in Canberra. Forza Sydney FC – see you there!

Lions face Demons in exciting duel

Blacktown City 2 Inter Lions 1

A beaming hot day in Blacktown brought Inter Lions to Landen Stadium to face a resurgent Blacktown City and it was the home team that came away with three points after a slender victory. A penalty smashed home by Annabelle Gerard gave City the lead in a strong start, but Inter were level before the break when Sarah Bownas reacted first to a calamitous moment to tap home. The lead was restored just before the break when Hayley Reynolds romped through to score, and Inter had goalkeeper Jemma Horley to thank for keeping them in the game. A second half that produced numerous chances for both teams ended goalless, but the entertainment was high, sending the bumper crowd home happy.

It wasn’t actually that hot, but the heat radiating from the surface of Landen Stadium combined with the beaming sunshine made for furnace-like conditions for this clash; fitness and conditioning would be key to lasting the 90 minutes. With an assistant referee calling in sick, the prospect of a referee calling offsides and throw-ins from 30 metres was something that needed to be managed, and this had the potential to be a fire-cracker of a game.

Captain Lucia Franulovic set the scene early on with a surging run through midfield to set Issy Saunders away at the Ashley Brown End, and the pacy striker took a touch before drilling a shot into the side-netting. Lara Green’s first contribution was to flatten Annabelle Banfield with a huge tackle that delayed play for some time while the unfortunate Inter Lions player received treatment. When play resumed, Green’s exuberance had spread to the rest of her team and the players were really up for it. Emily Jackson slipped in Saunders again, but the roll of the ball took the ball behind for a goal kick.

The home team would definitely not have this all their own way though. Banfield raided down the right and Gerard had to make an important tackle to clear the danger. All of a sudden at the other end, goalkeeper Horley gifted the ball to City with a mis-placed clearance and Saunders had time to control and send back a searing shot that went just the wrong side of the post. A huge let-off for the visitors, but their insistence on playing out from the back was costing them dearly; an overhit pass went out for a corner, which Saunders delivered into the penalty area where Gerard rose highest to power a header just over the bar. Another scrappy clearance saw Saunders turn into the box and, under pressure from her defender, she crumbled to the floor. The referee looked unmoved at the theatrical dive, but took his time to signal a penalty, to the amazement of the Inter Lions defence. It was definitely one for VAR, but the penalty stood. Gerard stepped up and almost ripped a hole in the net with a thumping drive from the spot to give her team the lead.

Hayley Reynolds raced down the right after breaking free, but her cross was cleared, Jackson slipped in Saunders on the right side of the area but again her shot hit the side-netting and Inter escaped. A scramble in the area then fell for Jackson, who fired in a shot that was well saved by Horley, before Saunders played in Reynolds, the Inter Lions goalkeeper racing out to save smartly at her feet.

The spectre of the foul throw raised its head again, Green punished this time, but the chances kept coming for City. This time Gerard played a magnificent ball for Reynolds to run on to. Her ball in for Saunders presented a one-on-one situation with the onrushing Horley, and the visiting keeper did very well to block the shot.

Mira Thomas played in Mia Micalizzi for a run on goal but City keeper Amy Harkin saved well. The imposing figure of Cleo Gavagna in the visitors’ midfield was starting to pull the strings, and her ball to Banfield saw another shot well saved by Harkin.

Lily Thompson then split the defence with a ball through for Saunders, but Horley was out quickly to force the ball behind for a corner. The corner from Saunders was cleared to Gerard who blazed the shot over the bar, City unable to extend their lead. And they paid for their profligacy soon after when Gavagna played in Bownas. Harkin and Niamh Nolan somehow got in a tangle leaving Bownas clear on goal. Her simple finish wasn’t that simple though, the ball striking the bottom of the post before Bownas reacted first and rolled the ball into the empty net for the equalising goal.

City were straight back on the offensive though, Reynolds playing in Nolan who slipped a ball in for Saunders, but her pirouette in the area didn’t fool the defender and the ball was hacked clear. Gavagna was running the show for the visitors; she smashed in a shot that just went over and City were panicked at the back.

City then turned up the dial. Thompson played in Green whose cross was cut out by Horley, Green then sent in a cross that Reynolds raced on to, but Horley did well to smother from point-blank range, and Franulovic slipped in Nolan but again the fast surface took the ball too far. Inter then almost took the lead when Bownas danced up the left to feed Emilija Jaglica who got the better of Gerard and crossed. Harkin made herself big to block at full stretch with the goal open and, before an Inter player could finish the job, Green smashed the ball away and City had survived.

Just as the bumper crowd was thinking this was going to be one of those games, City struck with stunning simplicity. Franulovic played in Saunders, who touched the ball into Reynolds’ path, and the ace striker smashed an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner of the net to give Horley no chance. The celebrations turned to frustrations again within a minute though as Napoli was set clear only for the referee to bring play back for a mystery offside, coach Jake Gomez earning a stiff talking-to from the referee just as half-time ticked over. Blacktown had the lead though. Could they build on it?

A no-nonsense triple substitution by City shook things up for the second half and the home team came out firing. As City continued to press, defender Paris Kambouris played a loose ball and Jaglica was clear, but the City defence regrouped to clear. Another lengthy stoppage for Inter Lions’ Ellen McCartney to receive treatment and eventually leave the field gave the teams a chance to reset, and City continued their onslaught.

A routine catch was spilled by Horley, who didn’t know where the ball was for a second. Asha Eveniss was straight on to it, teeing up Thompson, but the shot was wide. A handball then gave Gerard the chance to lift in a dangerous ball, but the offisde flag was up early. Green raced down the left and her persistence won a corner. With regular set-piece expert Saunders off the field now, it was Brianna Tinney who lifted in the corner, and Eveniss was close to getting her head on the ball at the near post.

A beautiful ball with the outside of the foot by Thompson then set Green away and her determined run took her to the edge of the penalty area where she shot, but Horley made the save. Nikki Roach then raided up the left for Inter Lions, Nolan doing well to force the corner, but the dangerous cross by Gavagna was cleared at the near post. A cheap free kick conceded by Franulovic was then sent into the area by Gavagna, but it was a wasted effort, the ball well wide of the goal with penalty area stacked with Inter Lions players.

Play had become scrappy. Sienna Bell was introduced to try and bring some order back into the midfield. Kambouris then embarked on a surging run, ghosting past two players as the midfield opened up, and she found Tinney, whose expert dummy under heavy pressure let the ball run through for Eveniss to shoot on goal, but again Horley was there to make the save.

At the other end, a moment of hersitancy from Harkin saw Gavagna close her down with her enormous strides, and the City goalkeeper’s clearance rebounded off her and back over her head towards goal. City’s luck was in though, Harkin racing back to field the ball and start the next attack as if nothing had happened.

Reynolds then rode a challenge on the right and played in Tinney whose shot went just past the post with Horley beaten. Industrious work by Reynolds then forced a corner which Tinney delivered right into the six-yard box, and after an almighty scramble, Gerard put her foot through the ball and smashed a shot over the bar that may still be travelling as you read this.

A great ball by Thompson set Green away up the left again, and her cross/shot was foiled by Horley. Reynolds then raced onto a ball on the right to feed Tinney. There was an almighty tussle on the edge of the six-yard box, Green tried to tee herself up for a volley and then shot just over the bar.

Thompson was booked for a late tackle as Inter pressed for a second equalising goal, but the City defence remained resolute. The final chance of the game came to City, Reynolds played through, but she put this one wide, and the final whistle came soon after to put Inter out of their misery and confirm an important three points for Blacktown City.

The pattern of City games is becoming clear. Tight defence, industry in the middle of the park, speed on the wings, but the end product not quite there yet. The xG calculator was left to be hosed down again after catching fire, and there is a deluge of goals waiting to be scored once the City strikers start to relax and convert the numerous chances. There is excitement and frustration in equal measures, but patience is required. It will come!

Today Blacktown City were worthy winners, they came up against a goalkeeper in fabulous form, and had to be alert to deal with the threat of Inter Lions throughout the whole game. A six-day turnaround now takes City to league leaders South Coast Flame for a late kick off in Wollongong on Saturday, while Inter Lions travel to Sutherland on Easter Sunday for what should be a morale-boosting visit to the basement club. Stay tuned for more fantastic action from the FNSW League One Women’s U20s as the season gathers pace.

Thanks for reading. Please like and share if you came from social media, and let’s put the Women’s Under 20s on the map. Quite possibly the worst set of photos I have ever done, I really need some coaching at sports photography in different light conditions! Hopefully the words make up for the pictures!

Something different at the Socceroos

Australia 2 Lebanon 0

A lovely thursday night in Parramatta, and the Socceroos continued the winning start to their World Cup 2026 campaign against Lebanon at a busy Commbank Stadium. A cross that went in from Keanu Bacchus (not Patrick Yazbek) early in the game set the stadium alight and despite dominating it remained 1-0 at the break. The second half saw a sliced shot from Kye Rowles go in off the post for another strange goal and Australia were in the box seat. They took their eye off the game late on though, and Maty Ryan was very fortunate to maintain a clean sheet as the visitors pounced on any loose play at the back. The win was sufficient, but definitely not convincing, and it sets up an intriguing second game with Lebanon on Tuesday when our national team have an away game in Canberra.

The change in venue for pre-game in Parramatta to the Royal Oak was a winner – so much closer to the stadium, lighty and airy with plenty of room for everyone, and a happy hour til 6pm that was taken advantage of by the growing group of Socceroos fans. Got to fix that front door though. The odd Lebanon fan was dotted through the yellow, and the reunion of Australian football die-hards from around the world was a thing of beauty. Leaving with more than enough time to get to the stadium – it’s still not just next door – we descended on the stadium at the same time as pretty much everyone else.

The scene was reminiscent of the Sydney derby fiasco when the gates opened late, and the queue for Gate E stretched almost to Gate C, the whole width of the stadium. Getting in wasn’t as straightforward either – the patient lady at the gate showing me the trick of how to hold my mobile phone ata specific angle to scan through, and she had to do that pretty much for everyone. Kick off was 15 minutes away, the stadium was filling up, but not as much as Football Australia had us believe it would (“Looking forward to a full house”), and we joined the Socceroos active supporters in the Wanderers home end to enjoy the pyrotechnics and welcome the players to the field.

Lots of familiar faces from A-League games around the country, from Matildas and Socceroos games across the years, the flags were out, the drum in place and we were ready to belt out the national anthem. The Lebanon anthem was first though, and there was clearly a big contingent scattered throughout the stadium, many voices singing along, but the best was saved for the Aussie anthem, which filled the stadium with noise.

The Aussie line-up seemed attacking, with Adam Taggart and Kusini Yengi up front, and they started well, Yengi seeming to have extendable legs to win the ball ahead of his opponent to keep the ball. We’d obviously lost the toss and were switched around to shoot towards our fans in the first half. Only five minutes in we already had the breakthrough; the ball was won on the right and Bacchus shaped to swing in a big cross, but it was too close to the keeper. It looked as though it might be dangerously close to the goal though and we watched with hope and increasing belief as the ball sailed over the keeper’s head, hit the post and went in. Amazing. Ronaldinho against England all over again. The Socceroos with the lead. Pandemonium in the Active bay.

Any fans expecting a deluge of goals from that moment was to be disappointed though. Riley McGree hobbled off early, Lebanon played the role of Asian football opponent to the letter, players spending ages on the floor after winning non-existent free-kicks, and it was a half of frustration. When early sub Jordy Bos was clearly pushed into the turf with no free-kick awarded, he seemed hurt, and after some treatment and a few minutes to try and play on, he made way for Ajdin Hrustic, the sub subbed before half-time – you don’t see that very often. Australia had a series of corners that caused mayhem, at one point the ball falling to Connor Metcalf in space outside the box, an ideal opportunity for the long-range speculator, but he chose to go wide instead of risking row Z with the shot.

Half-time at 1-0 was fair, but Lebanon had done all they could to break up the game and they were still well and truly in the game. The active bay had been fun. The Croatian Wanderers Family had moved in and were loving life, the Aussie Aussie Aussie chants failed to catch on thankfully, despite many attempts, and I’m pretty sure one of the guys at the front was trying to convince those around him that a Mexican wave was a good idea. It was a little unhinged and off-chops at time, and made for an enjoyable atmosphere, even though some of the fans didn’t seem interested in the football at all. A few Newy chants, the Sydney FC goal tune and some Wanderers-esque tunes helped the game along too; the A-League was united in harmony.

There were presentations for former Socceroos players as the half-time heroes filled the field. I got my hands on a Stone and Wood lager at the break – a mid-strength brew but my goodness, what a delightful beer! Back for the second half with plenty of time to spare, the post half-time lull was broken by Michelle, who grabbed the drumsticks to whip up the crowd again and get things underway in the stands.

The second half was only a few minutes old when the Socceroos got their second, and it was a corner that bobbled around a little until Rowles put his boot through it, or across it maybe, and the ball swerved onto the left-hand post and in for a slightly freakish goal. It took the crowd by surprise and perhaps now we’d see the floodgates open. Alas, it wasn’t to be. Lebanon seemed to get a foot-hold in the game and we started to see too much play in our half. Two outrageous backheels set up a chance that flashed across Ryan’s goal, and then Harry Souttar played a loose ball across the backline that was pounced on, and Lebanon poured into the box, the shot hitting the inside of the post, but this time the ball stayed out.

The paper airplanes were raining down from above by now, there were cheers when one hit the field, and clearly the younger fans had given up on the football below.

A late free-kick right on the edge of the area which could easily have been in the box saw everyone hold their breath, but the shot was just over, and with it went Lebanon’s last chance of a goal. The final whistle couldn’t be heard, with the crowd at full volume, and the players made their way to the eastern stand where friends and family usually congregate, and stayed there for a long time until they were ushered around the home end and on to the tunnel.

This was the day to get your Socceroos signatures. The players were surprisingly relaxed and available, and ready to chat. Security was ushering people out before the players had all left the field, Tarni didn’t get the shirt from Bruno Fornaroli, but got a promise of one on her next football trip to Wellington to watch Victory, Kelly got her photo with Mitch Duke, while Thomas Deng missed the boat and had a quiet walk to the tunnel after the last of the fans had gone.

This was a smashing Socceroos game. The collective desire by the Active fans to be active was great to be amongst, the way most fans restrained from club rivalries to form a single cause was commendable, and the football had us entertained if not enthralled. A routine victory will be the headline, although in reality, it could have been a lot closer had one of Lebanon’s chances gone in at the end.

Now who’s coming to Canberra on Tuesday? Our nation’s capital, home of the next A-League men’s team, hopefully, scene of the final Sydney FC women’s away game for the season on Wednesday. Don’t miss it, it will be a different experience altogether. Come on you Green and Gold!

Phoenix spared by shot-shy City

Blacktown City 2 South East Phoenix 0

Round 3 of the Football NSW League One Women’s Under 20s season brought South East Phoenix all the way from Nowra to play Blacktown City in the North West of Sydney, and the home team tasted sweet victory for the first time. A confident finish from Issy Saunders set Blacktown away right on the stroke of half time after having the best chances of the first period, and a second poacher’s goal from Niamh Nolan settled the result with ten minutes to play. A commanding performance from visiting goalkeeper Lauren Trenerry prevented the slender scoreline from snowballing, but City claimed their first win of the 2024 season and a first clean sheet.

A week of turmoil at the club, with a major personnel change in the coaching staff, brought Blacktown City to the point where three points were vital to kick-start their campaign. Coach Jake Gomez was determined that his young team would be good enough to secure the win today, and the conditions could not have been more conducive to playing quality football, the hot summery conditions of the season so far replaced with beautiful cloud and a hint of rain on a pleasant autumn day at Landen Stadium. Sam Cole came into the starting line-up, returning from injury, while Lily Thompson was called up for first team duty and missed out. The team that took Central Coast Mariners all the way last week looked strong on paper, but unproven.

Lara Green showed Blacktown’s intent from the kick off, racing down the left to ruffle the Phoenix feathers, but when Paris Kambouris flattened Lena Hennequin on the right to concede a free-kick in a dangerous position, that capped off a surprisingly low-quality first five minutes of scrappy play. Abbey Nolan-Hodges’ free kick was easily dealt with by Amy Harkin in the City goal, and the home team broke, Green and Cole combining well on the left, Saunders forcing a corner. Trenerry claimed the foul by Hayley Reynolds when the corner was swung in; a mis-hit clearance from the visiting goalkeeper was then interceoted by Sienna Bell, but Reynolds’ cross was wayward.

Another free-kick on the right for the visiting Phoenix saw Isabella McConville swing in a cross that Harkin batted away, and City were off on the counter attack. Reynolds raced out from the back but her ball to release Saunders for a run on goal was intercepted and the chance was gone. A long ball from Annabelle Gerard then caused panic in the visiting defence, goalkeeper Trenerry scurrying back to prevent the corner or worse, the backpass having wrong-footed her completely. A throw-in was controlled beautifully by Asha Eveniss, who found Reynolds, but the shot was deflected wide, and Trenerry claimed the corner, rising highest to secure Saunders’ corner kick.

A break by Samantha Murphy was then foiled by the quick-thinking Nolan who tracked her run up the left, and South East Phoenix won another free-kick on the left; Kirra Jackson’s clever short free-kick saw the ball played in to Zinah Hasan in space in the penalty area, but the flag was swiftly up to deny the chance of a shot on goal. Bell was fouled on the City left, the referee choosing to come back when there was no advantage, and Saunders fired in a ball that was easy for Trenerry. Reynolds and Bell then combined on the right, but the ball as just too strong for Reynolds. Gerard and Green got their wires crossed in defence, the bouncing ball evading both of them, but Green raced back to clean up the mess.

City were shooting from range by now, Reynolds firing one in that Trenerry saved easily, and Saunders showed tricky feet to make space, but the stinging shot was straight at the visiting goalkeeper once again. There were echoes of the opening day when City peppered the goal all game for scant reward, but at the midway point of the first half, the home team were turning the screw.

Gerard strode forward and played in Green on the left, who fired in an enticing cross to the near post, where Saunders connected but the ball went the wrong side of the post. Green then fed Reynolds, but the cross frustratingly hit the side netting, and Eveniss and Reynolds played a wonderful one-two only for Reynolds to run the ball out.

Up the other end, Ellie Moffat played in Hennequin, but her dangerous cross was cleared, but there was little respite for McConville and Mariah Heperi-Clark in the heart of the Phoenix defence. Bell won the ball in midfield and fed Reynolds, clean through this time, but her shot was drilled wide. Cole moved to the right and forced Jackson to concede another needless corner. Cole took the cross in the mid-riff from the corner, leaving her doubled in pain, and Trenerry claimed the ball well.

The half ended with intense pressure from the home side. Nolan kept a ball in while everyone else stopped, but her cross was easy for Trenerry, Saunders teed up a snapshot for herself which Trenerry beat away, Trenerry diving at her feet to prevent a goal on the rebound. Bell played the ball down the left, Eveniss cut inside and her shot was well saved. When Cole forced yet another corner thanks to a mis-kick, Reynolds and Bell went for the ball, Bell eventually stabbing a difficult bouncing chance just past the post.

With seconds remaining of the half, Reynolds jinked pas her player and slipped in Saunders, and her pace saw her get to the ball well before Trenerry and she tucked the ball low past the advancing keeper to score the opening goal. The relief was palpable and the half-time whistle blew as the players were congratulating each other for finally taking the lead right on the break.

Trenerry appeared to be carrying an injury coming into the second half, but she was able to deal with anything that City threw at her. Green’s one-two with Reynolds won a corner, Saunders firing it in. Bell rose but Trenerry saved. City were getting frustrated at their crossing, Nolan and Reynolds wasting good positions, and frustrated by the offside flag, Reynolds played in by Eveniss but well offside.

Saunders then release Eveniss, who cut in past her player and shot, Trenerry equal to it, and Cole then jinked down the right, cut in and delivered a delicate cross that bounced off the top of the bar and away for a goalkick. It was Cole again causing the problems soon after when she fired wide, and then she knocked the wind out of Nolan-Hodges with a thumping shot from point-blank range.

The moment of the match so far saw Saunders, on the right and with a defender closing in, flick the ball one side of her marker and run around the other, leaving the defender for dead, her endeavour winning another corner. Saunders was hobbling so Reynolds took the corner, but could only hit the ball straight out of play. Kambouris and Green combined to win another corner, Saunders floating in another dangerous cross, but the shot-shy City front-line couldn’t get anything on it. Bell then played in Reynolds, who advanced on goal, but the shot was saved.

Brianna Tinney fed Reynolds who had strayed offside, and Tinney found a great touch soon after to get her shot away under pressure, but Trenerry saved. City were dominating, looking composed at the back and when in control in midfield, but at 1-0, the lead looked flimsy.

Reynolds then played provider, slipping a pass to Green for a run on goal, but her shot lacked conviction and Trenerry saved low down. Emily Jackson was thrust into the action, starting to pull the strings in midfield, and Bell found herself with acres of space with the goalkeeper off her line, and lifted a shot goalwards, but Trenerry had back-pedalled sufficiently to be untroubled. The luck seemed to be on the visitors side again when a low cross from Green from the left was deflected goalwards by Heperi-Clark, Trenerry changing direction to save brilliantly at the near post.

Tinney forced a corner which was half-cleared only to Lucia Franulovic, and her shot was blocked, Gerard almost getting on to the rebound in the melee. The second goal finally arrived to lift the tension on the City bench. Cole did well to get into the box and she had time to measure a low fizzing cross that evaded Trenerry and found the incoming Nolan at the far post, who touched the ball almost apologetically into the empty net for a devilishly simple goal.

The game was surely won now. Nolan did well up the right and Cole’s shot was well saved. Franulovic then gave the ball away cheaply in midfield, but superb cover from Bell spared her blushes. A long raking ball from Gerard then released Aurelia Smith on the right, but she had caught the crossing disease, and the ball went behind without causing any trouble to Trenerry’s goal.

The final whistle sounded, and Blacktown City tasted victory for the first time this season. It was bittersweet; having carved out an incredible number of chances, they could only finish two of them, and while coach Gomez congratulated his players, he admitted that it was definitely not their peak performance. The players disappeared into the sheds to belt out the Matildas’ victory song. This certainly is a ‘grand old team to play for’, but we are still looking forward to the forwards clicking and delivering the avalanche of goals that their swift and exciting football is suggesting.

City return to Landen Stadium next week to take on strugglers Inter Lions – could this be the opportunity they need to put together a complete striking performance from their forward line? Or is this destined to be a season of missed chances? The encouraging thing is that the chances are being created, but now is the time to put them away. South East Phoenix continue their difficult start to the season with a trip to Camden Tigers; they did show resolve and plenty of heart today, and anything can happen in the early stages of the season, as teams suss each other out. Catch you next week for another intriguing game of football from the beating heart of North West Sydney.

Great to see so many fans at Landen Stadium for this round 3 fixture, mums, dads and siblings choosing to spend their Sunday afternoon watching quality women’s football. Please like and share if you clicked here from social media, and let’s put Blacktown City on the map.

Ten-man Sydney denied

Sydney FC 1 Brisbane Roar 1

A superb performance from Sydney FC after going down to ten men due to the contentious sending off of Jake Girdwood-Reich gave the fans plenty of cheer to round off the weekend at Allianz Stadium. When Robbie Mak netted for the home team in front of the Cove, an unlikely three points looked possible against Brisbane Roar, but a swift response by the impressive Henry Hore silenced the stadium and changed the complexion as Sydney were forced to defend for the rest of the game. On a weekend where Pride Round took top billing it was strange to see the stadium devoid of rainbow flags, but the football on the field did the talking and made the epic journey to the game well worth it.

You know when you try and fit too much into a day that it’s going to be frantic, however relaxed you seem to take it. That was the case on Sunday as we left Pluim Park on the Central Coast following a steaming hot NPL game at 3.45pm with the audacious plan of making it to Allianz Stadium in time for kick off. Typical heavy Sydney-bound traffic as the M1 goes to 90kmh was expected, and the plan of parking in Paddington morphed into finding a spot in the main Moore Park grass car park. An impressive tally of North Connex, Epping Road, Lane Cove Tunnel, Harbour Tunnel and Eastern Distributor tolls had me using the tag as a beeper to my exasperated cursing, and the look I gave the car park attendant in his tardis as he announced the $30 flat fee made him seem almost apologetic at capping off this most expensive Sydney road experience in style.

It’s surprising how many people don’t make kick off. We weren’t the last in the car park, taking our spot where the Holland fans hung out at the Women’s World Cup, there were plenty of people on Driver Avenue as we walked up to the stadium. The roar of the crowd could be heard between wind gusts and we went in via our proper gate, anticipating Gate 1 would turn us away. The Sydney FC marquee was being dismantled and we were about fifteen minutes late. Rails, in her official club attire from her game earlier in the day, was asked directions by someone at the gate, which gave us a laugh, and we made our way up to Cove Heights just as Sydney were defending a corner.

Michelle had just arrived too after her own train-replacement blighted journey from the North West – these early kick offs are really tricky sometimes – and of our ten member’s seats, only four were taken. A stadium employee came to check our tickets, something that has never happened, and it was then that Michelle noticed that there was an increased security presence in the stadium, more bodies clad in black around the field, as if something had changed since last week’s nonsense at Commbank Stadium.

By all accounts Sydney had been under the pump early in the game, and it wasn’t long before things turned for the worse, Jake Girdwood-Reich flying into a tackle as he often does, and catching tricky winger Nikola Mileusnic. A yellow card seemed harsh from our view, but the Roar player was down for a while, and we hadn’t noticed that the referee had gone to have a look at the monitor. The lengthy stoppage ended with the yellow card being rescinded and replaced by a red, much to the disgust of everyone in the home end.

The sight of crowd favourite Maxi Burgess dejectedly trudging off when Ufuk Talay was forced into a defensive change was heart-breaking – he’d battled so hard to get into the starting line-up and now he was off through no fault of his own, with Gabriel Lacerda a poor man’s replacement for the verve and excitement of the exciting midfield star. However, Sydney grabbed the initiative, and Lacerda looked composed, often left as the only defender at the far post to deal with the three Roar attackers buzzing around him. Anthony Caceres crossed brilliantly from the left up the far end, and I was out of my seat ready to punch the air when Fabio Gomes met the cross with a thumping header, but the ball crashed off the corner of post and bar and a great chance was missed.

Half-time was an opportunity to get settled. As another thrilling toddler race lined up and the half-time heroes did battle, I was filling up water bottles, grabbing a sushi snack – it’s the cheapest and tastiest thing in the stadium – and satisfying the energy craving with a guilt-free box of Krispy Kremes. What a gourmet feast! It was close to kick off when I get back to my seat, and the Brisbane players were out earliest, dodging the sprinklers that were still on full power. They were made to wait by Sydney FC, who must have been deep-diving into their tactics to work out how to break down the Roar defence.

The second half was a thriller. Gomes was traded for captain Luke Brattan, so Sydney would be without a recognised striker, but they took the lead in dramatic circumstances. An attack broke down in the area, but Jordan Courtney-Perkins slid in to win the ball back; Rhyan Grant played a casual ball to Robbie Mak dead central in the area, who tucked a clever shot home right in front of us, wrong-footing the Roar keeper for a thrilling opening goal. The more sceptical amongst us were expecting Courtney-Perkins to be penalised for the slide tackle from behind, but VAR was unfazed, and the goal stood, the boistrous celebrations on the field and in the stands continuing for some time as the Roar players waited patiently for kick off. It really is satisfying to take the lead when you’ve had a player sent off.

The joy was short-lived. Sub Jez Lofthouse, whose impact had seen his team go one down almost immediately, leapt at the far post to head against the post with Andrew Redmayne at full stretch. Moments later Sydney were slow to regroup and a low cross from the left fell perfectly for Hore, who smashed home unmarked from right in front for 1-1. The Cove were mid-chant, the rest of the stadium fell silent, it felt like there had been no goal at all, but it was definitely an equaliser.

The game was now out of Sydney’s control. There looked like being only one winner, and Roar were exploiting the space. A cross from the left looked nailed on for a winner with ten minutes to go, but Redders stood his ground and the shot was straight at him. The sight of our Socceroos hero thrashing around on the ground, trying to milk some non-existent contact with his head by the striker was eye-rollingly tame, and the big screens confirmed that he was indeed making the most of the time on the floor to eat up more minutes.

Corey Hollman was outstanding, and gave an all-action display. Luke Brattan finally managed to get the yellow card shown to a Roar player for persistent fouling, and Sydney were doing all they could to wrestle control back. Brattan stayed down after a perceived head-knock but it was the ball that hit him, and Joe Lolley’s spectacular flap in the air when half-challenging for a header was another cringeworthy attempt to win more down time. Lolley to be fair had won loads of headers out wide, and put in another fine performance before being replaced as we entered added time. Courtney-Perkins made a great block to preserve parity, and the Sydney players looked spent as the final whistle confirmed a precious point from a difficult game.

The Lo Lo chant accompanied the post-match celebrations, the Cove more than content with the result in such testing circumstances, and the players responded with applause for the fans, and went in for an extended autograph session to show their gratitude.

It was at this point that having an exhausted teenage daughter was running the risk of the world itself imploding in explosive fire, so we made our way round the stadium concourse and out into Driver Avenue with the crowds. No chance of savouring the post-match atmosphere tonight, and arriving back at the car suggested that there were hundreds of people who had seen even less of the game as ourselves, our car no longer at the back of the pack, but somewhere in the middle surrounded by fellow latecomers.

Today had been a challenge. The race against time was worth it to see our Boys in Blue battle hard with a man short, and if this means that Maxi misses out next week with Brattan coming back in, there’ll be some unhappy Sydney fans. $50 in tolls and parking was justified, and offset by not being on the beers today, despite having the thirst for a cold one. The sending-off helped shape the game for the spectator, and a potentially run-of-the-mill routine home game was thrown open the moment the red card was brandished. That’s why you simply cannot miss a game. Anything can happen. This is the A-League. And it’s f*cking brilliant.

Pride of Sydney closes the gap

Sydney FC Women 3 Western United 1

A splash of colour, a beautiful sunset and almost 3,500 fans flocked to Leichhardt Oval for Pride Round on a wonderful evening in the Inner West of Sydney. Abbey Lemon gave Sydney a deserved early lead as they started strongly, Cortnee Vine extended the lead in the second half, but Western United hit back with the most comfortable of headers to set nerves jangling. It was left to Vine to wrap things up with a delicate chip in added time, sealing a big three points for Sydney FC to keep them in the hunt for a most unlikely premiership. The Sky Blues have certainly hit form at the right time, and they were terrific again tonight, a thoroughly merited victory over the league leaders to blow the title race wide open.

The choice of route to Leichhardt Oval in the Saturday afternoon peak took us through Balmain and along past the Orange Grove Hotel to park at the stadium – being there early enough tends to guarantee a spot in the stadium car park, and we arrived as last week’s hero Caley Tallon-Henniker was dropped off by her family to walk through her new fan base congregating at the stadium entrance. With our visitor for the weekend, Andy, from England’s south coast making his debut at an Australian football game, we made the pilgrimage to the OG, where we met up with the gang, catching up on the latest news and enjoying the pre-game build-up. The walk back at 6.30pm was taken on the shady side of the street, such was the warmth of the sun, and there was a decent crowd building when we arrived at the stadium.

The hill was looking busy, the main stand was filling up, and the superstars from the Flying Bats, the biggest LGBTQI+ women’s and non-binary club in the world, who play in the same competition as our own West Ryde Rovers, were excitedly preparing for pitch duty to welcome the players to the field. The rainbow flag was draped from the Cove, the players arrives and We Are Sydney echoed around the old stand as the players went through the formalities and Princess Ibini won the toin coss for Sydney FC to shoot towards the Cove in the second half.

There were splashes of colour everywhere, reminding us that we were indeed in Pride Round, and the players huddled together in the middle of the field as the hot sun set in the spectators’ faces on the hill. The atmosphere was excellent, the Cove were warming up the vocals nicely and the players seemed up for it from the opening whistle.

Sydney pressed from the start and there was no sign of Chloe Logarzo in the visiting team. Cortnee Vine wasn’t afforded the time and space that she often finds in the corners of Leichhardt Oval, but she set up the opener with a deft ball to tempt Ibini, and our captain’s flick was saved by Danish international Kathrine Larsen. Lemon had time to steady herself on the penalty area and wasn’t put off by the incoming Mackenzie Hawkesby, and rattled the ball into the net for 1-0. The stadium was rocking. Vine then got herself into a great position to fire in a shot that hit the post and somehow bounced right back into Larsen’s arms with Sky Blues waiting to pounce. It was a terrific display and Sydney FC were in the driving seat. Ibini cut inside and almost scored a cracker, reminiscent of her goal at Commbank Stadium two years ago on the opening day, the ball just over the bar.

It certainly wasn’t one-way traffic and Western United did get into some good positions, especially down the left, but the defence held firm; the aimless forward passes of weeks gone by seems to have been eliminated, and passes from the back were finding feet. A one-touch triangle foray up the left, starting with Kirsty Fenton wowed the crowd, but the end result was missing. Hawkesby managed another of her corner routines that ends up behind the goal and there wasa hint of frustration. Everything was pointing towards more goals though in the second half, but it was a shame to see the half-time whistle interrupt such a flowing game of football and with the score at only 1-0.

Day turned to night like the flick of a switch, the realisation that summer is coming to an end soon and that daylight saving will be cruelly ripped from us saw darkness descend, but the ambience and atmosphere improve. Mascots Muph and Plutonic, the dark-haired one in a rainbow cape, did the rounds getting plenty of love from young and old, and the fans were in the mood for more goals.

Vine almost obliged minutes into the second half, Taylor Ray’s wonderful cushioned ball just lifted over the bar by our international superstar. Vine had chances to torment her defender, and at one point twisted and turned multiple times to eventually create the opening to cross, but the defender at the far post got the vital touch to divert the ball away from the incoming cavalry. The tall and powerful Hannah Keane looked menacing, at one point getting into a position akin to Ibini’s for the opening goal, but the ball was cleared.

The Cove was in full voice, capo Michelle demanding the maximum from her choir, and the call and response was duly belted out to the fans down below, who were more than happy to reciprocate.

The free-running of Vine eventually brought a second goal for Sydney FC, cutting inside and finishing with a delightful shot in front of the giant rainbow flag after Ibini had slipped her in up the right. Sydney, Sydney, Sydney, our girls are amazing… Everything was going right and the points seemed in the bag with 20 minutes left to go. Whoever said 2-0 is the most dangerous scoreline in football was an evil genius, as it wasn’t long before the visitors scored a simple goal to show us just how easy it is to undo the Sydney defence from a set piece. The inswinging free-kick the simple header over the stranded Jada Whyman and we had, all of a sudden, a contest on our hands.

United looked like a team who would press until the end and they made Sydney’s life hell at the back, but Shea Connors jinked down the left and the Sky Blues should have put the game beyond their Victorian visitors. We had to wait nervously until added time, when Fenton, so often the most direct player in the team at coming forward and aa dominant figure in the team, strode upfield and lifted a glorious pass to Vine. The Matildas superstar got her bosy position right before lifting a delicious shot over Larsen into the empty net from the egde of the area. What a way to finish the game, twirling our flags to the post-goal techno celebration song.

The beauty of the post-match scenes these days is amplified when the players move into position for their celebration with the Cove. It is the players now and not the Cove that seem to be demanding a sing and dance to cement the three points, and the Super Sydney FC chant accompanied their merry jig as the Sydney fans cheered a fantastic victory.

Club legend Rossco led the ball crew to meet their heroes and the biggest cheer of the night came when Cortnee Vine decided it was time to join the melee at the sideline and sign some shirts. Her post-match routine is so different now; once she was able to make her way around comfortably, now she is extra-hot property and needs to manage her time better, so tends to wait longer to join in. Completely understandable.

We were one of the last out as usual after savouring the maximum of post-match vibe. Andy was impressed by the atmosphere and especially the singing at his first football game on our shores, with a nod of the head to the Yankee Doodle Dandy at the end of the call and response; alas he would be off back on a big jet plane in the morning and would miss the men’s game at Allianz to make it the perfrect weekend.

We were out of the car park quickly but snarled up in Le Montage traffic, but made it to Ryde quickly, walking in as the EPL coverage was starting. A brilliant evening of top-flight women’s football, a fabulous victory for the Girls In Blue against a very good opposition, and hopefully another step towards filling Leichhardt Oval one day for a Sydney FC women’s game. We couldn’t have been prouder on Pride Round.

See you soon!

Mariners in choppy waters as Blacktown go close

Central Coast Mariners 1 Blacktown City 0

Round two of the Football NSW League One Women’s brought Blacktown City to a hot and breezy Pluim Park to face much-fancied Central Coast Mariners, and they left with nothing despite a spirited display. An early first-half strike from Rachel Glendenning was enough to separate the two sides, and despite a controversial penalty being awarded midway through the second period for a mystery handball, the home team passed up the opportunity of a second and the game was in the balance right until the final whistle. Blacktown pressed and pressed late in the game, but they were ultimately locked out by a high quality defensive display from the Mariners, who were relieved as the referee brought the game to its conclusion.

A blazing hot day in Lisarow greeted the two teams on Pluim Park field three, kick-off delayed slightly while the previous game ended, and from the opening whistle, kicking into the wind in the first half, City showed their intent. A push in the back from Lara Green on the left straight from kick off was enough to show the Mariners that they would be in for a game here today, and Izzy Saunders almost caught goalkeeper Kyara O’Brien in possession soon after as City started brightly. With Amber Ford the playmaker in the centre of the park for the Mariners, there would be chances to come for the home team, but a glorious opportunity fell Blacktown’s way. Sienna Bell played in Hayley Reynolds on the right, and as O’Brien came out to narrow the angle, Reynolds clipped the ball across the face of the unguarded goal where Green steamed in at the far post, but her shot on the stretch was wild with the goal gaping.

The ball reached the other end when Briana Myers played a searching ball out left for Savannah Lalor, and she delivered a great cross to Glendenning, ghosting in at the far post, to half volley an unorthodox right-foot shot past Anna Ivanovic in the City goal for 1-0. Mariners now had the bit between their teeth, and Amaya Shaw’s good work on the right led to Myers unmarked in front of goal, but the shot screwed off her foot and wide, a great chance gone begging. Mariners continued to threaten up the left hand side, but City had the next chance, as Reynolds and Abby Duggan combined on the right to release Sienna Bell but O’Brien was out swiftly.

Green released Lucia Franulovic on the left to win a corner, Saunders delivering a dangerous cross that was well dealt with by the Mariners defence, but soon after Green stole the ball on the left and teed up Saunders, who took aim and fired home brilliantly from 20 yards, a fantastic strike to silence the home crowd. The offside flag was up though to shut down the muted celebrations, Saunders having come back from an offside position, and the referee signalled a drinks break to diffuse a potentially tense situation with City players looking his way for an explanation.

A route-one move from the Mariners saw Duggan misjudge a long ball and Lalor was clean through. Ivanovic advanced and got an important touch to push the ball into the side-netting. City continued to probe, Reynolds with a mesmerising run, sprinting away down the right, but she ran out of room. Mariners broke upfield and Myers slipped into the area, but Ivanovic was out bravely to block the ball at her feet.

Saunders teed up Bell for a shot from distance, but it lacked power. Green caught Mikayla Standen in possession but she was closed down, before Bell played in Asha Eveniss to win another corner for the visitors. Bell and Annabelle Gerard were unable to get their heads on the ball, but Green played a fantastic one-two with Eveniss, but again the shot lacked any conviction and O’Brien smothered.

There was always danger when Mariners sprung forward with their direct and concise play, and Teagan Jones fed Myers, but her shot was way off target. City finished the half on top, Saunders playing in Green who had just strayed offside, Green and Eveniss worked the triangles, and it was Green who got in a good position, but fired harmlssly wide.

The half-time whistle sounded and Mariners were a goal ahead, but Blacktown looked dangerous going forward, and with the breeze stiffening in City’s favour for the second half, there was plenty to play for.

Reynolds and Green had swapped wings at the start of the second half, and Reynolds raced up the left but was caught offside. Another interception by Green saw her cross for Reynolds, but Lily Thompson took over and her shot was touched wide by O’Brien for a corner.

Thompson miskicked when well placed at the far post, another chance passing City by, but Mariners grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and moved up a gear. Lalor strode up the left and crossed well, before Paris Kambouris was penalised for a trip on Myers on the edge of the area to give the Mariners an opportunity to show their free-kick prowess. Up stepped Andie Chaseling to curl in a shot, but Ivanovic saved comfortably.

Jones fed Lalor, whose ball for Myers was excellent, but her shot was well saved by Ivanovic. Shaw then played in Myers, but Ivanovic was smartly off her line to save. Franulovic was caught trying to run the ball out of play on the Mariners right, and had her pocket picked, but Kambouris was there to turn Glendenning’s cross behind for a corner.

City burst into action up the other end, Bell doing well to keep the ball in on the right, Green crossed for Reynolds, but the shot was tame. All of a sudden, with Gerard struggling to judge a bouncing ball, the referee decided that the ball had hit the defender’s arm. More than that, it was adjudged to have been in the penalty area and, without a single appeal from the home team, bench or spectators, a mystery penalty was awarded for the home team. There was total confusion, a ghost handball that no one had seen, but the referee was adamant. In a moment of justice being served though, Lalor screwed her spot kick well wide and City had survived.

Blacktown’s final ball was letting them down, Thompson with a searching ball that was too long, and then Reynolds showed tricky feet before spoiling it with a mis-hit through ball. Up the other end, a dangerous corner from Shaw was plucked out of the air by Ivanovic, and she held on to the ball as it dropped to the ground, hearts in mouth for a split second.

Reynolds fed Franulovic whose dangerous cross to the near post was just too far for substitute Niamh Nolan. Nolan then showed great feet to set up Mel Napoli who just couldn’t capitalise on her teammate’s skill, the shot blocked. Napoli and Reynolds then got confused with the offside rule, Reynolds leaving the ball for Napoli who was offside, and a glorious position was wasted with Reynolds potentially clean through. The referee signalled drinks again, and we were in for a grandstand finish with the score still poised at 1-0.

Franulovic blazed a shot over when Reynolds’ corner was cleared, before the Mariners had their own great chance, when young Florence Martin found herself clean through, but Bell was strong in the challenge and City scrambled the ball clear.

Franulovic won a free kick in the middle of the park that Gerard launched goalwards, but straight at O’Brien, and that was the last touch for the Mariners goalkeeper as she was replaced by Danielle Bartels. Reynolds was then caught offside as City threatened again, and the visitors threw everything forward in search of the equaliser.

Aurelia Smith’s through ball for Napoli was just too strong, Reynolds crossed dangerously but Standen cleared under pressure. Kambouris did well to close down a breakaway as City went to three at the back, and it was all-out attack from the team in black. A fabulous move from Reynolds saw her cut inside and sting the palms of Bartels, before Napoli did well to steal the ball and feed Reynolds, but this time the shot was screwed wide. City sensed an equaliser, Reynolds embarking on a superb run up the left but the Mariners defence stood firm. Smith played in Napoli down the right whose cross caused panic in the home team’s defence, but the referee’s watch was to frustrate Blacktown, the whistle cutting off the head of steam that was building and condemning them to defeat.

This was top-drawer entertainment at Pluim Park today in stifling conditions. The home side were direct and dangerous whenever they were close to goal, but a strong performance from Anna Ivanovic in the City goal and some tenacious battling in midfield from Sienna Bell gave the visitors a platform, from which Hayley Reynolds almost snatched something from the game in the dying minutes. Central Coast Mariners had been given a scare by Blacktown City, but they had done enough, and their assured defence were relieved to have held on to a clean sheet in a frantic finish.

Positive signs for Blacktown City as they head into a home fixture with South East Phoenix at Landen Stadium next week, while the Mariners are on the road to Mt Druitt Town Rangers, two teams with faultless starts looking to dent each other’s perfect record so far in the 2024 season. Stay tuned for more exciting FNSW League One Women’s Under 20s action next week, see you on the sidelines.

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Six point Saturday as Sydney is confirmed as Sky Blue.

Western Sydney Wanderers 0 Sydney FC 2 (Women)
Western Sydney Wanderers 1 Sydney FC 4 (Men)

If you ever wanted to experience what is good and what is bad about football in Australia, Saturday’s double-header at Commbank Stadium was the place to be. The unbelievably poor treatment of football fans, the assumption of guilt, the expectation of the worst, the provoking of ordinary people coming to enjoy the atmosphere of a big game was still not enough to dampen the spirits of the Sydney FC fans as they roared their way through two fantastic victories. For the women, who overcame the loss of a host of young stars to the Young Matildas to turn the screw on their deadliest rivals, this was especially satisfying. For the men, a performance straight from the top drawer saw the fans and staff celebrating like never before in front of a hot and sweaty Cove corner. If you had never been to a football game in Australia and you chanced on this one, you’d be thinking that it was the biggest sport in the country.

The Saturday double-header is often a tricky one, but this one fell perfectly, and we jagged a rockstar car park at Parra Leagues Club before enjoying a drink and a bite to eat surrounded by friendly Western Sydney Wanderers fans in the Leagues Club’s member’s lounge. The day was getting off to a lovely start, and we gave ourselves plenty of time to make the shortest of walks to the stadium. We were met with a most bizarre scene though, lots of people milling around outside the main gate, with the gates slow to open at the outrageously late time of 4.45pm. So, 15 minutes to get in and a load of people to shift through the slow moving turnstiles. We wandered down to the away end, where the queues were ridiculous. Having just watched Newcastle United’s win at Blackburn in the FA Cup during the week, delayed by 15 minutes to let everyone in, this was exactly the same scenario. We knew there was no chance of the game being delayed; all the poor people standing in the snaking queue would simply have to miss the start.

Luckily our gate right around the back was quick, and we arrived in the stadium as the players were walking out onto the field for kick off. How disrespectful. They would have warmed up with no one at all in the stadium, and would have walked out with barely a ripple of applause from the handful of people in the stadium at the time.

This is when the fun started. The usual scenario of the women’s Cove congregating at the front of what would be the men’s active section was denied, the officious security guards making sure that we were all in our allocated sections. “I don’t care what it’s like every other time, this is the rule today.” Even a tiny amount of common sense and good old Aussie laissez-faire would have seen the security guards agree, but no, non-negotiable. What we had then was a nonsensical scene of our women’s Cove capo Michelle in one bay, surrounded by empty seats, and all of the willing women’s active Cove members in the adjacent bay. No one would listen, it was totally fucking stupid. It was antagonising and unnecessary, and the mood was certainly not what you’d want coming into the opening stages of such a big game.

Even the appearance of CEO Mark Aubrey didn’t help quell the immediate disquiet – there was nothing he could do, it wasn’t our home game – but the helpless feeling of the indignant Sydney active fans lingered, even when Michelle started leading off the chants from her own cordonned-off section of the stadium. Surely this wasn’t a taste of things to come, but we couldn’t help feeling that it was everyone against the football fan already today.

On the field, Sydney FC were holding their own, and had the first chance when Abby Lemon played in Princess Ibini clean through, but she fluffed her lines, allowing the goalkeeper to get a touch, sending the ball agonisingly past the post as we stood waiting to celebrate. The generous Wanderers defence gifted another chance, Mackenzie Hawkesby playing a fabulous one-two with Ibini to strike a shot just past the far post, the Cove already celebrating but left with their hands on their heads. Wanderers were dangerous when they came up our end, but there was little to trouble Jada Whyman in the Sydney goal, a high looping ball nestling on the roof of the net the closest they came.

Lemon looked full of beans up front, as she has done whenever she has come on up front this season, and forced a good save to keep out a shot, then connected with Cortnee Vine’s cross, right in front of goal, but the ball somehow went past the post. I must admit I was already celebrating that one before it went in, it was like Paddy Wood all over again.

The attendance was slowly growing, people drifting in and the chants started to get a little more volume. I don’t know about anyone else, but I find the pitch of the women’s Cove chants just that little high for my vocal range, and it always makes me chuckle when some of the chants go down half an octave after the first line to accommodate the deeper voices in the crowd. To be honest, I just love the fact that we’re standing singing from a well-known hymn book of Sydney FC songs at the women’s games and we just don’t give a shit what anyone thinks.

An extended half time came and went, and the action was subdued at the start of the second half. It took a moment to work out who had been subbed, the impressively named Caley Tallon-Henniker on for the unfortunate Lemon, and lo and behold, midway through the half, she took on her player in the box and appeared to be tripped. The referee pointed straight to the spot. The Wanderers players couldn’t believe it, and from the replay it looked suspect, as though Tallon-Henniker had clipped her own heel. The protestations continued as Hawkesby squatted on the penalty spot with the ball, and eventually she rose to take the spot kick and dispatched it without an issue, showing her teammates how a penalty should be taken.

The defence seemed to be looking airtight and there was little to show for all of the Wanderers endeavour. The result appeared to be locked in when Vine crumbled to the floor when breaking away, the merest of touches enough to send her to the ground. The referee, very decisive and perhaps a little trigger-happy, produced the red card despite Amy Harrison being the last player still to beat, so it was hardly a case of the old DOGSO rule. There was utter confusion as the Wanderers players remonstrated, quite rightly, at ths massive injustice. The referee even talked with the assistant to make sure and still didn’t change her mind. Oddly enough she then showed a yellow card to the perpetrator, without rescinding the red, so lord knows what was happening. It was like a reverse Graham Poll. Was that a yellow on top of the red for not getting off the field? Harrison talked herself into a yellow too as the Cove lapped up the pantomime, and eventually Vicki Bruce was ordered from the field. What an odd moment!

Now up against ten, Sydney FC could relax and play football, but it was the home side that tested Whyman on more than one occasion, the one-goal lead not enough. There were seconds remaining, nerves frayed by now, when Vine chose Tallon-Henniker instead of the run of the offside Shea Connors. The young striker took the exquisite ball into her stride, steadied herself after a heavy first touch and bent a beautiful shot into the goal to finish off the game in style. The away end was bouncing, what a finish to the perfect derby performance, and even with our most talented young stars missing, those that remained did a fantastic job.

The celebrations were fun, the players enjoying the singing and more than happy to hang around for more. How things have changed, from our capo having to coax the team to come over at Kogarah, to now the team demanding to come over and totally enjoying the love.

Full time was a chance to have a look around and see what was happening out in the concourse, but with things starting to get busy, an oversized and very visible police presence, and the jobsworth security guards starting to get agitated, I quickly returned to the sanctuary of my seat in the section next to the Cove. Time to marvel at my new Sydney FC hat, very appropriate headgear for today’s game, a recycled Ninkovic shirt transformed into a bucket hat by the talented Lydia. I would never have worn that shirt again, and it was one of my favourites, but now I can wear the hat with pride! One of a kind!

The Cove started to arrive, and lo and behold every person passing into the Cove section was subject to a ticket check. People swapped phones to beat the system, and the active area ended up being totally oversubscribed, not enough seats for all and the gangway was full of people. There was no discrimination either with the ticket checks. Even people carrying trays of drinks had to negotiate their phones to satisfy the pointless check.

At this point people were pretty pissed off with the whole charade. Had the security guards not been there, and only the Sydney FC marshals in play, there would have been absolutely no problem. Instead, we had a mountain of a man with oversized headphones dictating who could be in or out of the active section, his underlings struggling to read wobbly mobile phones in the fading light, not realising that it was the same phone they had checked a few seconds earlier. The head security bloke then helped people find a seat in the adjacent section when there was no more space in active. So much for your rules. Absolutely insane logic and unpleasant for all.

The drum was passed to the front as the players completed their warm-ups and our friends from NES Security (contractors of Venues NSW) continued to hold everyone up at the top of the stairs. Some people got wise to it and simply walked around to the next entrance and walked along the front, but even that was a risk. Alex Brosque and Luke Wilkshire took in the surroundings down below, with the beautiful Tara Rushton the only one doing any work and the crowd began to build. The entrance of the players saw an enormous banner revealed around two sides of the stadium and the crowd erupted. It looked really good to be honest, the Cove fans roaring their own alternative verdict; the wording was a little cheesy, the usual mention of life and death and passion, the Wanderers fans trying to play up to their self-made medieval, morbidly evil and unhinged reputation.

The Cove burst to life, our capo showing proper passion, and the scene was set. The Sky Blues must have won the toss and turned the teams around, Andrew Redmayne’s unusual number zero on display as he headed up the other end. The atmosphere in the three-quarters full stadium was bouncing, and the opening whistle saw the stands full of noise. Sydney FC looked pumped, and it wasn’t long before they won their first corner. Joe Lolley went short and got the ball back, and his delivery invited Rhyan Grant to attack the ball, and he leapt high, almost turning his back on goal but smashing a brilliant header beyond the goalkeeper and into the top corner of the net. What a start! Beyond everyone’s expectations. “F*ck you Western Sydney scum olé” chanted the Cove once Grant had finished his crazed celebration in front of the Sydney fans.

Maxi Burgess, revelling in his first start for a while, almost picked his way through for a second soon after, his shot cleared, and in the scramble on the edge of the box, Corey Hollman smacked the ball into a defender’s arm and the referee had no hesitation, pointing straight to the spot with absolute certainty. It was definitely harsh, the ball whacked into his arm from point blank range, but by the rulebook it was a nailed-on penalty and the replays confirmed it. Fabio Gomes took responsibility and gave us his stuttering run up and a smooth finish down the middle for 2-0; only seven minutes on the clock and already we’d celebrated two goals and a penalty.

A big banner was confiscated by the big unit of a securiy guard, who seemed quite happy with himself as he skipped gleefully up the steps with his spoils. An unfortunate fan was then manhandled out of the active section by security and the Sydney marshals, who knows what the backstory was, but he seemed to have an entourage leaving in his wake, the marshals handing him over to the police at the top of the stairs and thanking each other for their swift intervention in whatever misdemenour was taking place. All of this was happening against the backdrop of a fast-emptying home section at the far end. Had the home fans cracked the shits, or was there something more sinister at play? Whatever was happening, it was serious, and the flags and banners were taken away along in front of the RBB as if the game had ended.

There was more cause for celebration for the Sydney fans when Brandon Borrello was released clean through. It looked miles offside even from our distant view, but the referees allowed him to score and set the home fans off before the flag went up and we had the satisfaction of seeing the goal chalked off. Everything was going right.

Sydney kept plugging away until the break, winning corners, getting into advanced positions, and the persistence of the home team in playing out from the back played into the visitors’ hands. One absolutely world class moment saw Anthony Caceres surrounded and he flicked the ball through two players to set his teammate away. The half-time whistle had Sydney FC 2-0 up and coasting.

Reports came in from the smokers, who are forced outside these days to enjoy their cancer sticks, that a group of Wanderers fans had congregated out the back and had been throwing missiles at the puffing Sydney fans. So, there must have been some ejections, or at least a mass walk out from the RBB, and they were looking for trouble.

There was a walkaround by OASIS (Old And Still Into Soccer), an over 60s movement that advocates for the most senior of seniors to keep playing into their later years. Won’t be long! The half time heroes played their mini games and the dejected Wanderers fans were interviewed, the pre-match bravado and scorelines having changed dramatically. Half-time was long. It was Sydney’s turn to be left waiting on the field for the home team to appear.

And we didn’t have to wait long for another goal. It was the season of goodwill as a terrible ball in midfield led to Sydney nicking the ball and Hollman was quick to play in Robbie Mak to finish sweetly past the advancing goalkeeper. The Sydney fans were back in full voice, the post-half-time lull having been snapped almost immediately. Three goals up and in full control.

There was more to come, when a shaky backpass saw goalkeeper Daniel Margush wrong-footed and then he casually jogged after the ball as the massive strides of the 6’3 Fabio crept up on his blindside. It was Central Coast away all over again, as our Brazilian striker nicked the ball off the hapless keeper and showed his injured teammate how to do it, flicking the ball into the empty net for 4-0. We were all thinking back to that game at Homebush when we demolished the Wanderers, and there were still 30 minutes to go.

Sydney were great to watch. The active section shoved the Poznan right in the home fans’ faces and a flare was let off, sending our big unit into the fray with his sand bucket. Personally I don’t have an issue with flares. Okay, they’re bastard hot, and must be handled with care, but they do add to an atmosphere at a night-time game. Now, if they’re thrown around, that’s where it gets dangerous, so I can understand why they’re completely outlawed. If only there was a safe version that gave the same effect. Smoke machines, disco lights, but definitely not safe smokies. They’re rubbish.

The remaining Sydney players not used were meant to be warming up, but they were glued to the action. Jack Clisby walked a thin line with a tackle that could easily have been brought back for an on-field VAR check, a horrible studs-up challenge on Rhyan Grant that sparked some pushing and shoving. Wanderers pulled one back with 20 minutes still to play, Jake Girdwood-Reich getting the final touch to a pretty poor cross that left Redders swatting thin air as the home team finally woke up. There were suggestions that we might see some gloss come off the win as Wanderers pushed for more, but in the end, 4-1 was a fair result for a fantastic performance from the Sky Blues. The sight of Fabio racing back 50 metres to make a tackle warmed the hearts of even his most ardent of critics, before he made way, Sydney choosing to replace the front line as the yellow card count increased.

The final whistle was joyous. The players were quick to come across to celebrate with the Cove. The Super Sydney FC chant which usually signals the end of the celebrations continued and the players weren’t going anywhere, even singing along to some of the more fruity chants. Maxi was on the mega for the call and response, and it was a fantastic end to the night.

The word was going round that the Wanderers fans were out and about looking for trouble and we were advised to join the heavy police presence for the walk to the station. However, we were heading back to the Leagues Club car park and we ran the gauntlet, with no sign of any trouble at all. The players were still signing autographs and taking selfies with the young fans as we walked through the concourse to the main gate, and after eventually working out which level we were on, we were out of there, heading back along Victoria Road, leaving Commbank Stadium in the rear-view mirror.

What a brilliant occasion. A six-point haul away at the Wanderers, two vital victories to help set us up for finals football, and bragging rights for a few weeks at least. Knowing how these games go, we’ll lose at Allianz when the teams meet before the end of the stadium, but for now, Sydney is well and truly Sky Blue. The aftermath of the events in the RBB were still not clear later that night, something obviously went down, but at 2-0 down in ten minutes, the timing was ideal.

Thanks for reading. If you’ve not been to an A-League game this season, men’s or women’s, you have definitely been missing out. The matchday experience is so much better than watching it on TV, there is so much to see and hear when you’re in a live crowd at a live game, and once you get to know the players intimately, the experience is second to none. Whether your a Mariner or a Glory fan, get your arse to a game and join the fun as the A-Leagues renaissance continues.

Nepean spoil the opening day party

Blacktown City 1 Nepean 1

The first day of the 2024 NPL League One Women’s Under 20s season brought Nepean to Landen Stadium to take on hosts Blacktown City, both teams with a completely new look from the previous season, and the team from St Mary’s left with a point after weathering a fierce City storm. Following a frustrating first half when City failed to convert a host of chances, Hayley Reynolds raced through to open the scoring with a low finish, and in the hot conditions, the home side looked odds on to wrap up the game. With time running out and players tiring in the beaming sun, substitute Liliana Alba raced on to a searching through ball to tuck home a dramatic equaliser for Nepean, rescuing a point as the game ended in stalemate.

A mini heatwave struck Blacktown on Sunday, temperatures rising unexpectedly well into the 30s, and buoyed by the Under 16s late success, Blacktown City’s Under 20s team came into the game with high expectations, despite their shaky pre-season form. The striking blue hair of Annabel Femia for the visitors was a splash of colour, and a defence containing Arlo Hamel and Alisha Gatt knew that they would have a busy afternoon keeping City’s lively attack in check.

Lara Green’s enterprise on the left had the crowd sitting up after a slow start to the game, before the first clear chance fell to City, Lily Thompson showing exquisite control on the byline to cross for Reynolds, but she was unable to connect right in front and the ball flashed across goal to safety. A darting run by Reynolds then saw her stride away down the right, pulling back a cross for the in-coming Sienna Bell, and her first time shot was deflected away for a corner.

From the corner, expertly delivered by Izzy Saunders, Thompson rose well and looped a header onto the top of the bar, City sensing that their dominance could be turned into goals. Reynolds shot from distance, but there was no power in the shot, and then Green brought the best out of the visitors’ goalkeeper Evangelina Papalia, the agile shot-stopper pushing the stinging shot away for yet another corner.

Captain Annie Gerard met the corner on the volley, but the ball was well wide, then defensive partner Paris Kambouris released Abby Duggan, who again tested Papalia with a low shot.

A key moment midway through the half saw Bell play a through ball for Saunders to run on to; with Papalia committed and racing out to try and intercept, Saunders’ pace saw her win the race and she touched the ball past the goalkeeper, took a touch to steady herself, and rolled the ball towards the empty net. The roaring crowd in the main stand suddenly held its collective breath as the ball struck the inside of the post, the defence scrambling back to clear for a corner and Saunders holding her head in her hands. There was plenty of time to reflect on what had just happened as the referee ordered a drinks break, and when play resumed, the home side were hesitant. Goalkeeper Anna Ivanovic cleared straight to Kathleen Kennedy, but the Nepean striker couldn’t get any power behind the shot and Ivanovic breathed a sigh of relief.

A throw-in from Green on the left then found Saunders. Her shot was well saved by Papalia, Reynolds followed up with the shot that struck the bar and the Nepean goalkeeper grabbed the rebound gratefully. Nepean had another chance soon after, Aaliyah McKenzie beat two players in midfield to feed namesake Aaliyah Kennedy, who rode a challenge and fired in a dangrous cross, but City scrambled well to clear.

Reynolds raced through once more to test Papalia, and Gerard fired in a shot from fully 40 yards that didn’t trouble the Nepean goal. The frustration was mounting, and Bell fed Reynolds, her cross met by Thompson whose shot was skied over the bar. Reynolds continued to be a threat on the right and the corner delivery of Saunders was superb, but still City couldn’t find their way to goal. More good work from Green saw Asha Eveniss crack in a shot that Papalia saved, Gerard leapt to head on goal but was off target, and City pressed and pressed.

When Green intercepted a wayward goalkick, she fed Saunders and the shot was deflected straight at Papalia, the Nepean keeper smothering the ball. The half ended with Bell flattening Jessica Taylor, dishing out the same treatment she had received earlier in the half, and the final action saw Bell smash in a low shot which Papalia saved as the half-time whistle sounded.

Straight from the kick off, City were back on the attack. Gerard fired a long ball forward and Niamh Nolan forced a corner. That led to a half chance for Thompson, but her shot lacked any conviction, and Nolan fired in a similar shot that had no power. All of a sudden there was panic in th City defence. Taylor played in Kennedy to win a corner, but the corner from Hamel was easily cleared.

Thompson fed Reynolds who raced clear, but her shot was straight at Papalia, Saunders then fed Reynolds again who bore down on goal once more, and again her shot was aimed straight into the keeper’s arms. At the other end, Rachel Fry and Kennedy combined, but Kennedy’s cross was mishit and Ivanovic claimed the loose ball. The moment that had been rehearsed many times over in the preceding 55 minutes then arrived. Excellent work by Kambouris found Saunders, and she worked the ball through to Reynolds, who raced on to the through ball, beat her defender, and finished low to the keeper’s right for an excellent opening goal. The relief was palpable. Surely we’d see more goals, with Blacktown dominating, and Bell immediately found Green in space out on the left, who advanced but fired wide.

A harsh free kick conceded by Bell then saw Hamel find Kennedy, and her flick on was dealt with by Ivanovic. The game was opening up now, the play swinging from end to end. Saunders fed Reynolds on the right and her dangerous cross was smothered by Papalia. Hamal then played in Kennedy, but Ivanovic was there to clear the danger. City were forced into a change when midfield enforcer Bell couldn’t continue, and straight away Nepean had their best chance, Alba racing through only to be denied by Ivanovic, saving with her legs.

Substitute Mel Napoli raced to keep in a long through ball, doing brilliantly to rescue the lost cause, but City could not capitalise, and Napoli again had a chance to break through, but this time her touch was heavy, the slick synthetic surface allowing the ball to roll harmlessly out of play. Another raid up the right saw Duggan do well to win a corner. Saunders flashed in a cross that Reynolds turned into the net from close range to excited cheers, but the assistant referee already had the flag up to signal the ball out of play.

With a further drinks break required to refresh some weary legs, Blacktown clung on to their 1-0 lead and continued to press. Reynolds did well to feed Napoli who forced a corner. Another clever set piece from Saunders saw the ball fall to Thompson at the far post who fired wide.

The game was reaching boiling point. Thompson found Reynolds out on the right, and her drilled cross was well saved by Papali. Nepean then had a glorious chance themselves, Femia feeding Kennedy, who was clean through on goal, but she shot early and straight at Ivanovic. Another corner was won by City on the right, and this time, for variation, Saunders went short to Kambouris, whose shot was well saved.

Fry then threatened to waltz through the whole City defence, until Kath Spooner-Smith cleared the danger, and this see-sawing game continued, Ivanovic delaying her pass and causing heart palpitations on the bench. There was definitely more action to come before the end of this exciting encounter, and it was no surprise when Nepean grabbed the all-important equaliser. A through ball in midfield evaded a host of outstretched legs to find Alba and this time she advanced on goal and slipped a low shot under Ivanovic to wheel away in delight, duly mobbed by her thrilled teammates whose patience and resolve had been truly tested. The game was now in the balance, Blacktown rocked, Nepean with a fresh head of steam.

Reynolds intercepted a ball on the right to tee up substitute Zoe Thompson and the young star shot just wide. Nepean were looking dangerous, but Duggan was the next to charge on goal, eventually losing control and crumpling to the floor under heavy pressure, coach Jake Gomez finally tipping the referee over the edge with his protests, earning a yellow card for his hopeful penalty claim.

There was still time for Saunders to feed Emilie Chandran, but the ball was just too strong, and with the final attack of the game, with the referee already looking at his watch, Reynolds raided down the right and her cross was deflected into the path of Zoe Thompson, who spun smartly and connected, the ball rolling goalwards and half cleared, but before we knew who would get to the loose ball, the final whistle sounded, and an incredible game of football was ended in controversial circumstances.

City coach Gomez was upbeat after the game, delighted with the way his team had created numerous chances, and bossed the game defensively; the flipside was that they had failed to capitalise on their dominance and this should have been three points banked. It certainly was true that, with a true finisher in the line-up, they could and should have won handsomely, but the entertainment for the bumper crowd was top-notch, and the next game at Landen Stadium will hopefully attract even more attention for this exciting young team.

For Nepean, they entertain League One newcomers Bankstown next Sunday, while Blacktown City travel to Pluim Park for a rematch of their difficult pre-season game with Central Coast Mariners. The early signs are that City will be good value this season, and with the Mariners squad laced with proven talent, this should be another fabulous game of football. See you Sunday.

Thanks for reading. Any corrections to names of players, please let me know. Marrying the teamsheet to the actual action proved to be quite difficult this time!