Sydney FC have thumped Wellington Phoenix 5-0 to tighten their grip on top spot in the Liberty A-League, with Wollongong local Mackenzie Hawkesby scoring a first-half hat-trick at WIN Stadium.
Rachel Lowe struck in the fourth minute, with Hawkesby’s three goals and Cortnee Vine’s 38th-minute effort wrapping up three points against the winless Phoenix before half-time.
Wellington coach Gemma Lewis stuck with the same starting line-up that narrowly lost to Newcastle but the unbeaten Sky Blues quickly asserted their dominance, then made it count.
On her first start of the season, Lowe pounced on a poor defensive clearance and fizzed a delightful half-volley past Lily Alfeld.
Sydney got the chance to double their lead when Princess Ibini was fouled off the ball in the 13th minute and Hawkesby coolly buried the spot kick to put Sydney in control.
Sydney capitalised on a Wellington lapse in concentration to snaffle their third goal in the 29th minute.
Jessika Nash sent a long throw into the path of an unchecked Remy Siemsen, who coolly squared the ball to the back post for Hawkesby to tap home.
Siemsen scored in the 32nd minute but was flagged offside, while three minutes later, Alfeld made a brilliant instinctive save to deny Ibini.
But Sydney would not be denied their fourth goal.
Siemsen found Vine out wide and the winger brushed off Saskia Vosper and coolly finished on the angle to make it 4-0.
Six minutes later, Ibini released Siemsen, who centred the ball for Hawkesby to complete her hat-trick.
In the 51st minute, New Zealand international Paige Satchell forced a cracking save out of Alfeld and had another chance chalked off for handball in the 59th minute.
From there, Sydney were unable to add to their haul as Wellington knuckled down defensively, while Tobin was substituted in the 71st minute after injuring her ankle in a challenge.
