Four Hyundai A-League clubs were in pre-season friendly action on Tuesday night with all registering wins over their NPL opposition.
Melbourne City began life under new boss Erick Mombaerts in thrilling fashion, picking up a 4-3 win over Oakleigh Cannons at a rain-sodden Jack Edwards Reserve.
The match was played over three 40-minute periods, with Mobaerts using his first XI during the first two-thirds of the contest.
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Youngster Connor Metcalfe hit a pile-driver from distance to open the scoring for City, only to concede twice in quick succession.
Striker Jamie Maclaren drew the Hyundai A-League outfit level as he headed in from close range after Craig Noone’s shot was only parried by the keeper.
The Cannons again took the lead before late goals from Lachlan Wales and a Ramy Najjarine penalty gave City the win.
HEAD HERE for a full match report on City’s win.
Kosta off the mark in Sky Blue
Sydney FC have made it two-from-two this pre-season after a dominant 3-0 win over St George at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
Adam Le Fondre opened the scoring for Steve Corica’s side midway through the first-half, before off-season recruit Kosta Barbarouses doubled the lead just before the break.
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The New Zealand international raced onto a flicked header and lifted a volley over the keeper and into an empty net.
Youngster Luke Ivanovic completed the scoring just after the hour-mark with his fourth goal of the pre-season.
The Sky Blues now leave for China on Saturday morning ahead of next week’s glamour friendly against French champions PSG.
HEAD HERE for Sydney FC’s match report from Kogarah.
FULL TIME | Another good hit out for the #SkyBlues easing through to a 3-0 win over @StGeorgeCityFA. Next stop China & @PSG_English next Wednesday night.#SydneyIsSkyBlue #ComeWithUs #SYDvSTG pic.twitter.com/sPSVZ3ek0g
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) July 23, 2019
Ingham scores double for five-star Mariners
Ex-Melbourne Victory attacker Jai Ingham is settling nicely into his new side in Gosford as he scored twice in Central Coast Mariners’ 5-0 win over Charlestown City Blues.
While his first was a simple tap-in from close range, Ingham’s second was all class, curling in a free-kick from just outside the box.
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An own goal and a Josh Nisbet strike made it 4-0 on 40 minutes before Tommy Oar rounded things off five minutes from time.
In his first match since suffering a serious knee injury last season, Oar hit a blistering strike from distance with the goal of the night.
HEAD HERE for a full wrap of the Mariners’ clash with the Northern NSW NPL club.
Glory pass tricky Perth SC test
Second-half goals from Chris Harold and Joel Chianese steered Perth Glory to a 2-0 win over Perth SC in a competitive pre-season friendly at Dorrien Gardens.
Harold made the breakthrough soon after the break with a close-range header before Chianese’s neat finish doubled Glory’s lead nine minutes from time.
“It was a good hit-out. Perth SC put on a good game for us which is what we expected,” Glory boss Tony Popovic said.
“In the first 60 or so minutes, we only had one player out there who was over the age of 21 and Perth SC are a big test in terms of the NPL.
“So for our youngsters to fight really hard and not concede was very good to see.”
HEAD HERE for the full story of Glory’s win.
Second half strikes from Harold and Chianese seal a 2-0 win at @DorrienGardens.
Massive thanks to @PerthSoccerClub for their superb hospitality, as always 👏 Best of luck for the remainder of the NPL season.#OneGlory pic.twitter.com/PHQY2Pru8T
— Perth Glory FC (@PerthGloryFC) July 23, 2019
