If Sydney FC’s plan was to catch Western Sydney Wanderers off-guard with the late addition of Savannah McCaskill then it worked perfectly.
Spearheaded by their new American star, the Sky Blues sent a statement to the rest of the Westfield W-League with a comprehensive 3-0 Sydney Derby triumph in Thursday night’s season opener.
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McCaskill was unveiled on the day of kick-off and started on the right, but drifted into her more natural central role to inject vision and quality, while Lisa De Vanna offered further firepower and unparalleled experience from the left.
The welcome beneficiary in the middle was Caitlin Foord, who provided the movement and predatory instincts to put the Wanderers to the sword with a neatly-dispatched brace.
It was telling that the Sky Blues only shaded possession but managed to produce twice as many shots on target as their hosts, while a 50 per cent conversion rate will add to Ante Juric’s satisfaction.
22-year-old USA international McCaskill was the star of the first half, with her through ball for Foord’s 12th-minute opener typifying the creative spark she added.
Foord was well-poised to benefit again later in the match, adding a match-sealing third when she tapped home De Vanna’s cross unmarked at the back post.
What a way to open the scoring!
@smccaskill_21's through ball 👏👏👏@CaitlinFoord's finish 👌👌👌
🎥 @FOXFOOTBALL 505 #WLeague #SydneyDerby pic.twitter.com/HmqUiNmAK2
— Liberty A-League (@aleaguewomen) October 25, 2018
Foord passed up just one of her three chances but even then her quality – and the creative impact of McCaskill – shone through.
It also spoke volumes that Wanderers goalkeeper Jada Whyman produced an impressive display and was still beaten three times, with De Vanna regularly thwarted by the 19-year-old.
It was perhaps an ideal time to take on their cross-city rivals, with the Wanderers still in the early days of their re-build under Dan Barrett.
But the Sky Blues face a huge test in Round 2, which sees a re-run of last season’s Grand Final as Melbourne City host Sydney FC next Friday night.
The painful memories of that 2-0 Grand Final loss last season, which Foord missed due to injury, will serve as added motivation to make it two wins from two.
However, it is a front line combination of De Vanna’s experience, McCaskill’s craft and Foord’s finishing which really provides reason to believe revenge will be on the cards.
