Sydney FC completed their home National Youth League fixtures with a solid 4-1 win over Melbourne Victory in extremely warm conditions at Marconi Stadium.
The visitors fielded senior players Leigh Broxham and Geoff Kellaway, while Brendan Gan was the only over-age player in the Sydney line-up as the club prepares for their upcoming AFC Champions League campaign.
The Sydneysiders commenced in the best possible fashion taking an early lead as Joel Chianese secured a turnover in the Victory’s defensive third before advancing and finishing clinically past an exposed Rani Dowisha.
Sydney were having the better of the early exchanges and duly doubled their advantage with a spot-kick after a penalty award was disputed by the Victory. Jared Lum comfortably converted past Dowisha on the 20-minute mark.
Melbourne pulled a goal back just five minutes later with Damir Lokvancic taking advantage as Sydney gave away possession before firing home a shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Prior to the interval an impressive long-range effort from Sydney’s Luke Austin threatened to dip under the crossbar as gilt-edged goalscoring attempts remained at a premium in the first half.
Upon the restart Jake Nakic’s shot from an acute angle nearly crept in the near post only to be battered away by Sydney custodian Dylan Mitchell. From the ensuing corner Sydney launched a lightning counter-attack resulting in Chianese being closed down close to goal as the midfielder was about to pull the trigger.
On the hour mark Kofi Danning showed a typical burst of speed down the right to set up Blake Powell whose header narrowly cleared the crossbar as Sydney threatened to extend their advantage.
Danning was at it again moments later but this time Dowisha was out quickly to smother the effort.
Sydney finally took a two-goal lead with skipper Nathan Sherlock curling home a low free-kick from 22m around the wall and past an unsighted Dowisha.
The Victory’s hopes of an unlikely comeback were extinguished with eight minutes remaining with defender Nicholas Ansell dismissed for a second cautionable offence.
Sydney completed a comprehensive win during injury time as Austin exchanged passes with Danning through a tiring Victory defence before the former finished with ease from close range.
Sydney FC 4 (Joel Chianese 5′, Jared Lum 20′ pen, Nathan Sherlock 77′, Luke Austin 92′)
Melbourne Victory 1 (Damir Lokvancic 25-)
