An extraordinary first half blitz helped Western Sydney Wanderers beat Sydney FC 5-0 and secure derby bragging rights for the first time in more than five years.
The Wanderers raced to a two-nil lead inside just seven minutes when Amy Harrison and Kyra Cooney-Cross notched quickfire strikes.
Cooney-Cross added a stunning third on the cusp of half-time and Lynn Williams completed the rout with a double late in the second half to stun the reigning Champions, who had been undefeated in their last eight matches against the Red and Black prior to kick off.
The Wanderers had already more than doubled their points tally from the whole of the 2018/19 season before the ball was rolling at Bankwest Stadium, the first Sydney derby to be played at the club’s spiritual Parramatta home.
But the comprehensive manner of victory will add more momentum to the growing belief that the Wanderers are genuine title contenders this season.
Dean Heffernan’s side remain unbeaten this campaign, leapfrog Sydney into second place, and are three points behind leaders Melbourne City, who have played a game more than the Wanderers.
The floodgates in Parramatta were opened by the cleanest of strikes from Harrison, who spent seven years at Sydney FC before making the cross-town switch in pre-season. The Westfield Matilda dispatched the opener sweetly after a lovely interchange involving American duo Kristen Hamilton and Williams.
Heffernan’s side doubled the lead just 120 seconds later, and North Carolina Courage pairing Williams and Hamilton were again the architects. Williams burst to the byline, stepped inside Sydney fullback Ally Green and saw her cross tapped home unmarked by Cooney-Cross at the back post.
The Sky Blues had been outplayed – their first shot in anger arrived when Sofia Huerta volleyed wayward in the 33rd minute.
And it got even worse for the defending Champions when Cooney-Cross added a third with a simply outstanding strike from distance.
Sydney threw Veronica Latsko into the fray in an attempt to mount a second half fightback but it was the hosts who looked the more likely to add to their lead.
Williams – who had earlier dragged a shot wide after beating Aubrey Bledsoe to the ball and forced the Sky Blues shot stopper into a regulation save – eventually got her name on the scoresheet by sliding home the fourth at the back post when Hamilton broke into the clear.
Bledsoe pulled off two more excellent saves to deny the Wanderers forward, but she could not deny Williams sealing her second and her side’s fifth when she rounded her compatriot and sealed one of the greatest performances in Western Sydney’s Westfield W-League history.
Key moments
Harrison stuns Sydney
The Red and Black flew out of the blocks and took the lead through former Sydney FC star Harrison.
After Williams raced down the right hand side, Hamilton teed it up for Harrison, who whipped a beautiful first-time finish past Sydney ‘keeper Audrey Bledsoe.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6117244795001
Cooney-Cross doubles the lead
In the blink of an eye, the Wanderers were two goals to the good, and Sydney were shell-shocked.
Williams and Hamilton were again involved, with the former darting to the byline, looking up and finding Cooney-Cross unmarked at the back post to double the advantage.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6117247608001
Cooney-Cross stunner puts Wanderers in dreamland
Totally dominant, Western Sydney added an emphatic third on the stroke of half-time in glorious fashion.
Harrison kept the ball alive after another searing run from Williams, and the former Melbourne Victory starlet Cooney-Cross bent in a stunning strike from long range to put the Wanderers in cruise control.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6117251374001
