Despite missing several key players, Sydney FC has romped to a dominating 4-0 victory over Adelaide United in their Westfield W-League clash at Burton Park.
Despite missing several key players to International duty, Sydney FC has romped to a dominating 4-0 victory over Adelaide United in their Westfield W-League clash at Burton Park on Saturday.
Sydney were without Sam Kerr, Kyah Simon, Alanna Kennedy and Caitlin Foord who are away with the Matildas competing in a three-match qualifying tournament for the 2013 EAFF Women-s East Asian Cup, but still managed to dictate play and cruise to their third win of the season.
Midfielder Renee Rollason ignited the clinical performance with a free header in the fourth minute before the impressive Emma Kete added a second seven minutes later.
Chloe Logarzo wrapped up the three points in the second-half with a brace.
Sydney momentarily climb to fourth on the table while Adelaide remain in last position.
The visitors wasted little time in opening their account when Rollason rose unmarked to head home Ellyse Perry’s free-kick in the fourth minute.
The Reds barely had time to assess the early damage when they fell further behind on 11 minutes.
A sloppy back-pass in defence was pounced upon by Kete who in turn threaded a neat through ball into the path of midfielder Nicola Bolger.
Bolger’s left-foot strike was parried away by Reds goalkeeper Kristi Harvey but only to the feet of Kete who capped off the move she started with a comfortable finish.
Perry, who was a late withdrawal from the Matildas squad, had already stamped her authority on proceedings with a classy display pushing on from defence. But she also tested Harvey’s resolve with a dipping free-kick from 20 yards that skidded just inches wide of goal.
The visitors’ command of possession and forward pressure was unrelenting on Adelaide despite the scorching conditions calling for regular drinks breaks.
Kete in particular was a constant menace to the Reds’ back four with her clever runs and forward hustle.
The New Zealander was unlucky not to double her tally on 29 minutes when she robbed Adelaide defender Alex Natoli of possession, however her curled effort cannoned off the woodwork.
Adelaide failed to adjust to Kete and track her movement as Harvey was called upon time and time again to rush off her line and close down the Sydney forward.
Further pressure after half-time took its toll on the hosts in the 58th minute when Logarzo added a third for Sydney after she fired into the top-corner with a thunderous strike from distance.
Logarzo compounded a miserable outing for the Lady Reds when she struck her second and Sydney’s fourth 13 minutes from time with a shot that wrong-footed Harvey.
Adelaide United 0
Sydney FC 4 (Rollason 4, Kete 11, Logarzo 58, 77)
Adelaide United: 1. Kristi Harvey (gk), 3. Alex Natoli (4. Jessie Wharepouri 71), 5. Abby Erceg (c), 7. Racheal Quigley, 8. Sarah McLaughlin, 9, Marijana Rajcic (14. Lorena Maggio 59), 11. Grace Henry (17. Laura Johns 19), 13. Ann Mayo, 16. Jessica Waterhouse, 18. Georgia Macri, 19. Holly Patterson
Sydney FC: 1. Sian McClaren (gk), 2. Teresa Polias (c), 3. Elizabeth Ralston, 7. Nicola Bolger, 10. Renee Rollason, 11. Annalie Longo (21. Kylie Ledbrook 74), 12. Chloe Logarzo, 13. Larissa Crummer, 16. Ellyse Perry (8. Amy Harrison 69), 19. Emma Kete, 22. Lillie Billson (15. Hannah Bromley 86)
