Sydney FC Continue Derby Dominance with 2-0 Win over Western Sydney Wanderers

Sydney FC continued their remarkable dominance in the Sydney Derby as they secured a 2-0 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers in the Liberty A-League. The match, held at CommBank Stadium, saw newcomer Caley Tallon-Henniker play a crucial role, earning a penalty converted by Mackenzie Hawkesby before sealing the win with a late goal.

Tallon-Henniker, who recently joined Sydney FC as an injury-replacement player until the end of the season, made her presence felt on debut after featuring in the AFC Women’s Club Championship in Uzbekistan. Her impact in the derby puts her in an exclusive club of six Sky Blues women’s players who debuted in this intense rivalry, following the likes of Ally Green, Remy Siemsen, Cortnee Vine, Clare Wheeler, and Jada Whyman.

This victory extends Sydney FC’s unbeaten run against Western Sydney to an impressive nine matches, a streak that dates back to December 2019 when they last suffered a loss to their rivals. The Sky Blues’ solid defensive record in these encounters is a testament to their consistency in the derby.

Despite missing key players like Maddie Caspers, Indiana Dos Santos, Jynaya Dos Santos, Tahlia Franco, Shay Hollman, and Zara Kruger due to international duties with the Young Matildas, Sydney FC displayed dominance from the start. The first half saw multiple chances created by Princess Ibini, Mackenzie Hawkesby, Abbey Lemon, and others, but they were unable to break the deadlock against Western Sydney.

The game saw notable efforts from both sides, with Ibini, Hawkesby, and Lemon coming close to scoring in the first half. Western Sydney’s goalkeeper Shamiran Khamis had a standout performance, denying several attempts from the Sky Blues. The Wanderers also had their chances, with Sophie Harding and Madison McComasky testing Sydney’s defense.

The pivotal moment came in the 67th minute when Sydney FC was awarded a penalty following a foul on Tallon-Henniker. Hawkesby capitalized on the opportunity, putting her team in the lead. The Wanderers’ task became even tougher when Victoria Bruce was sent off for denying Cortnee Vine a clear scoring chance.

In stoppage time, Tallon-Henniker sealed the victory for Sydney FC with a composed finish, securing three points in her debut match. The win marks the 20th time Sydney FC has triumphed in the Sydney Derby, showcasing their dominance in this heated rivalry.

Sydney FC, now sitting in third place in the Liberty A-League standings, look ahead to their upcoming match against Western United at Leichhardt Oval. Western Sydney Wanderers, on the other hand, find themselves in seventh place after the defeat at the hands of their cross-town rivals.