A flurry of second half goals eased the Sky Blues past a stubborn Belconnen outfit at a freezing McKellar Park on Wednesday night.

Summary

Sydney FC 3 (72’ Simon, 85’ Tratt, 88’ Hoole) def. Belconnen United 0

A flurry of second half goals eased the Sky Blues past a stubborn Belconnen outfit at a freezing McKellar Park on Wednesday night.

Goals to Matt Simon, Jacob Tratt and Andrew Hoole within the final 18 minutes overcame a resilient defensive effort from the hosts on the night in what proved a tense encounter. The Sky Blues had the better of the chances though and were deserving of the win, with Parakovic in goal thwarting the Sky Blues on a number of occasions.

The opening half proved lively with both sides playing open attacking football and venturing forward. Belconnen proved tricky with a high press that limited time on the ball and it was Bouzanis who was first called into action as he rushed off his line to prevent a quick break in the 11th minute.

Andrew Hoole was lively in the opening 45 minutes taking on his markers, with the Sky Blues forward line forcing Belconnen keeper Perakovic into action on a number of occasions for no reward. A stoppage in play saw the tempo break down as Matt Jurman was removed as a precaution with the half drawing to a close with neither side able to break through.

The second half saw the introduction of Matt Simon up front in place of Shane Smeltz and it proved an inspired change as the former Mariner opened the scoring in the 72nd minute. Perkavic could only parry a Sky Blues free kick from just outside the area and with the ball falling into a crowded box Matt Simon was on hand to tap into an empty net.

A flurry of substitutions broke up play in the second half and the game however the Sky Blues found a late surge as Jacob Tratt and Andrew Hoole confirmed victory for the Sky Blues with well taken strikes three minutes apart in the final ten minutes of the match.

The Sky Blues now prepare for their Westfield FFA Cup clash next Wednesday where they face Adelaide United in the round of 16 at Coopers Stadium (kick off 7:30pm AEST).

What They Said

Steve Corica – “It was a fantastic effort from Belconnen tonight, they put us through our paces tonight and it was a good hit out for us as well as we look forward to the FFA Cup and Adelaide.

“I thought the whole team, especially in the first half, put on a good performance. They pressed us well and full credit to them too.

“This win helps us prepare for our FFA Cup match against Adelaide and it was definitely a good clash tonight.”

Goals

72’ SIMON GOAL - The keeper parries Hoole's free kick from outside the area into a crowded box and Simon is on hand to tap home for the opening goal.

85’ TRATT GOAL - A quick break forward sees Simon flick the ball into the path of Tratt & he powerfully volleys home beyond a sprawling keeper.

88’ HOOLE GOAL - Breaking forward Hoole is fed the ball inside the box, he takes one touch and calmly slots home for our third.

Key Moments

11’ BOUZANIS INTERVENTION - Bouzanis is forced to rush off his line to clear infront of the Belconnen forward marauding on goal.

17’ HOOLE SHOT - Hoole takes the ball forward & forces the keeper to parry with a sharp low shot from distance.

50’ O’NEILL EFFORT – O’Neill flashes a shot just wide of the upright as he lashes at the ball first time following a lay off from Grant.

68’ HOOLE ATTEMPT – Hoole looks to loop the ball over the defender and run in on goal but the touch is heavy and Perakovic is quick off his line to gather.

Team News

Sydney FC 3 (72’ Simon, 85’ Tratt, 88’ Hoole) def. Belconnen United 0

Sydney FC Head Coach Graham Arnold made wholesale changes to his squad with one eye on the Westfield FFA Cup round of 16 against Adelaide United next Wednesday night, Anthony Bouzanis deputised in goals while Max Burgess earned his first start since returning to the Sky Blues as Arnold injected a mix of youth and experience to his shape. Foxtel National Youth League players Jacob Tratt, Lachlan Hughes and Nicholas Sorras earned places on the bench while Blake Ricciuto looked to impress after arriving on trial from Uruguayan club Penarol.

Ground: McKellar Park

Referee: Ben Williams

Attendance: 1852

Sydney FC: 12. Anthony BOUZANIS (gk), 2. Seb RYALL, 5. Matthew JURMAN (40’ Jacob TRATT), 7. Andrew HOOLE, 9. Shane SMELTZ (46’ Matt SIMON), 11. Christopher NAUMOFF, 13. Brandon O’NEILL, 16. Riley WOODCOCK, 23. Rhyan GRANT (63’ Blake RICCIUTO), 25. Aaron CALVER, 26. Max BURGESS (79' Lachlan HUGHES).

Subs Not Used: Nicholas SORRAS (gk).

Yellow cards: None.

Red cards: None.

Belconnen United: 1. Adam PARAKOVIC (gk), 3. Ben VAN MUERS (56’ Solomon MONAHAN VAIKA), 4. David KEMP, 5. Matthew VALERI (77’ Ross COSTANZO), 7. Taylor BEATON, 8. Conor NOLAN, 9. Goran, MUKEVSKI, 11. Alsosa IHEGIE, 16. Mathew GRBESA, 17. Jamal REINERS (67’ Nikolas POPOVICH), 18. Danai GAPARE (52’ Peter KEKERIS).

Subs Not Used: 2. Nick RATHJEN, 6. David ARRANZ, 10. Matthew WHITTEAR, 12. Sam SMITH, 20. Ben JACKSON.

Yellow cards: None.

Red cards: None.

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