First half goals by Justin Hayward and Blake Powell have powered Sydney FC to a 2-0 triumph over the Brisbane Roar in the National Youth League at WIN Stadium in Wollongong on Saturday afternoon.
Boosted by the presence of several Hyundai A-League experienced players, Sydney dominated in the first 45 minutes, offering Brisbane little space to operate within.
The vital win gives life to Sydney, who snapped a three match slide, while Brisbane have now slumped to their third consecutive loss.
Action was confined to a congested midfield in the early moments, with neither team able to manufacture any quality threats.
After 10 minutes Sydney began to slowly press in attack, a streaking Joel Chianese forced Roar goalie Matthew Acton into an emergency clearing.
His rushed kick travelled well over 50 metres, flying across the road from the Stadium into a nearby backyard.
Moments later Powell lost his boot on a wayward strike which faded right from just outside the box.
20 minutes in, Anthony Golec brushed a low attempt from a similar position, before Brisbane briefly flirted with an opportunity in attack, until Matthew Byrne was deemed offside on the outskirts of the box.
Sydney grabbed the lead after Kofi Danning snuck deep inside the box from the left and linked up with Hayward who easily found the back of the net from close range.
Just five minutes later the Sky Blues extended the lead from a left side corner initiated by Scott Jamieson.
Leaping from the right of goal Matthew Jurman’s header found Powell, who comfortably slotted the ball home.
Brisbane were lucky not to concede a third goal in the 40th minute after Sydney produced four rapid fire attempts from a corner, Acton finally clearing Golec’s strike from near the spot to safety.
The Roar showed much more life after the break with Alistair Quinn unleashing an attempt over the crossbar minutes in.
Sydney continued to press, first when Danning found open space and only missed by inches to the left from ten metres out.
After a crafty surge down the right flank, Hayward found an uncontested Chianese near the spot but his attempt was scuffed over the crossbar.
Brisbane pulled one back in the 83rd minute when Kenneth Dougall guided a second attempt home after being denied by the sliding goalie Aaron Liddell with ball popping out for an open net.
Sydney FC: 2 (Hayward 23, Powell 27)
Brisbane Roar: 1 (Dougall 83)
