A goal-of-the-season contender from Sydney FC’s Lucy Johnson was cancelled out by a second-half strike from Leticia McKenna as unbeaten Ninja A-League leaders Melbourne City drew 1-1 with Sydney FC at Leichhardt Oval.
Defending champions Sydney made the breakthrough in stunning fashion as Johnson bagged her first Sky Blues goal; an outrageous strike from 25-metres which found the top corner in Sunday’s Grand Final rematch.
Sydney – bottom of the standings – twice hit the cross bar in the first half but couldn’t add to their lead and were eventually pegged back in the second half as McKenna capitalised on a goalkeeping error to make it 1-1.
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Both sides pushed for the win late on but the result means the Sky Blues are now five matches without a win and remain bottom of the Ninja A-League while reigning premiers City stay top and still undefeated.
It was a stunning summer’s day in Sydney and the crowd of more than two thousand people almost saw the league-leaders take the lead in just the 12th minute.
Collecting the ball in the Sydney half, Mariana Speckmaier played a stunning ball beyond the Sky Blues defence and into the path of the on-rushing Bryleeh Henry, however the City midfielder poked her effort wide of the near post.
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The Sky Blues had their first effort at goal in the 16th minute as teenage star Indiana Dos Santos rattled the crossbar with a vicious left-footed effort from the edge of the box that had goalkeeper Mieres beaten all ends up.
The more dangerous side despite having less of the ball, Sydney FC eventually found the breakthrough in the 29th minute and it was an absolute rocket from Johnson.
Collecting the ball on the left, Shea Connors then took a touch before playing a smart pass into the middle of the City half where Johnson was arriving unmarked and the midfielder promptly unleashed a stunning, first-time effort which flew beyond the keeper and into the top corner.
The Sky Blues then almost made it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time but Dos Santos found the crossbar once again, this time sending a right-footed effort back off the woodwork from inside the area.
City boss Michael Matricciani brought on Lourdes Bosch for Rhianna Pollicina at half-time and the American almost had an immediate impact as she teed up Speckmaier but the Venezuelan’s low shot flew narrowly wide of the far post.
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Beginning to crank up the pressure, City eventually found the equaliser in the 62nd minute and it was a gift from Sydney keeper Tahlia Franco.
Under little pressure, the Sky Blues’ shot-stopper scuffed her clearance straight into the path of City sub Holly McNamara who then coolly squared the ball for McKenna to slam home from inside the box to make it 1-1.
With City dominating the possession Sydney FC found chances hard to come by but they did see a good chance go begging in the 72nd minute when Princess Ibini blazed a bouncing ball over the bar after the away side failed to clear their lines from a set-piece.
Both sides went for the win in the dying stages with the Sky Blues testing City keeper Mieres on several occasions however the league-leaders held firm to secure a valuable point to take back to Melbourne.
