In an atmosphere never before seen in a W-League game the Western Sydney Wanderers lost 3-2 to cross-city rivals Sydney FC in a thrilling encounter at Campbelltown Stadium.
In an atmosphere never before seen in a W-League game the Western Sydney Wanderers lost 3-2 to cross-city rivals Sydney FC in a thrilling encounter at Campbelltown Stadium.
The two teams walked onto the field to a thunderous roar from the mighty Red and Black Bloc supporters, who themselves numbered in the hundreds.
A spectator in the stands would have been excused for thinking they were in the monumental La Bombonera, stadium home to Boca Juniors, such was the passion and noise coming out of RBB.
The game started at a frenetic pace, with the two teams exchanging raids in the first ten minutes.
Western Sydney Wanderers Catherine Cannuli made a darting run and fed the ball through to Servet Uzunlar, who controlled and shot the ball from distance, striking just wide of the target.
In the 9th minute Sydney FC midfielder Alanna Kennedy delivered a pinpoint cross from the right-hand side that fortuitously fell to the feet of Caitlin Foord, appearing to bounce of her shins and into the back of the net.
A penetrating run by Wanderers defender Linda O-Neill in the 12th minute was followed by a clinical pass to Swedish import Louise Fors who quickly evaded her defender and delivered a stinging shot that was deflected by Sydney FC goalkeeper Shamirian Khamis.
The Wanderers were now enjoying a dominant spell, with defender Alesha Clifford making an incisive run through the middle of the park and shooting from just over 30 metres out, skimming the top of the crossbar.
The Wanderers maintained pressure in the final third and in the 29th minute Captain Sarah Walsh spurned an opportunity to equalise when a free header from seven metres out sailed over the bar.
The goal that the Wanderers so richly deserved arrived in the 31st minute when Fors delivered a thunderbolt strike from 30 metres out.
The RBB, who had not stopped chanting for one second, broke into euphoria.
Sydney FC responded quickly and in the 39th minute Ellyse Perry delivered a trademark cross that was nodded home by Samantha Kerr.
The devoted fans of the RBB took a brief reprieve at the half-time whistle and mingled with fellow spectators who voiced their appreciation of their efforts.
Both Sydney FC and The Western Sydney Wanderers took a more cautious approach in the opening ten minutes of the second half.
The game came to light in the 59th minute when Caitlin Ford tore down the right hand side and into the penalty area, with Wanderers goalkeeper Thora Helgadottir producing an impressive save to deny the Matilda her brace.
In the 65th minute Sydney FC-s Emma Kete was substituted for Larissa Crummer and Wanderers striker Jessica Seaman replacing Linda O-Neill in the 67th minute.
The Wanderers produced a brilliant passage of play in the 75th minute with Fors looking to score her second goal of the game until she was brought down in the area and was awarded a penalty.
With a roaring crowed spurring her on, the midfielder converted the penalty with precision and levelled the score.
A desperate Sydney FC side, needing to cement a win in order to secure a position in the finals, continued to press the Wanderers defence.
They were rewarded for their persistence in the 84th minute, when substitute Nicola Bolger produced a clinical to seal a finals berth for Sydney FC.
The Wanderers showed plenty of flare and finesse in their final game for the season and the players were quick to run to the RBB and show their appreciation of their support at the end of the game.
Sydney FC 3 (Caitlin Foord 9, Samantha Kerr 39, Nicola Bolger 83) Western Sydney Wanderers 2 (Louise Fors 30, 74 (pen))
Western Sydney Wanderers: 20. Thora Helgadottir, 2. Samantha Spackman (6. Racheal Soutar 45), 3. Alexandra Huynh, 4. Alesha Clifford, 8. Vanessa Hart, 9. Sarah Walsh, 10. Servet Uzunlar, 11. Louise Fors, 13. Catherine Cannuli (14. Trudy Camilleri 83), 15. Teigen Allen, 16. Linda O’Neill (12. Jessica Seaman 77) Sydney FC: 20. Shamiran Khamis, 2. Teresa Polias, 3. Elizabeth Ralston, 4. Samantha Kerr, 9. Caitlin Foord, 10. Renee Rollason, 11. Annalie Longo, 14. Alanna Kennedy (7. Nicola Bolger 83), 16. Ellyse Perry (12. Chloe Logarzo 90), 17. Kyah Simon, 19. Emma Kete (13. Larissa Crummer 66)
