It’s been a much better month for our academy, with first grade picking up 4 points from 4 games as we pass the half way mark. The U20s, however, have fallen off the pace somewhat. The U18s continue to fight for the title. Read more about these things below.
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First Grade
5/5/18 – Sydney FC 2 – 2 Marconi Stallions FC – highlights here
12/5/18 – Blacktown City FC 1 – 0 Sydney FC – highlights here
19/5/18 – Sydney FC 2 – 0 Rockdale City Suns FC – highlights here
27/5/18 – Hakoah Sydney City East FC 3 – 1 Sydney FC – highlights here
Season Goals
Jeremy Cox – 7
Hassan Jalloh – 4
Sam McIlhatton – 3
Jerry Skotadis – 1
Patrick Flottman – 1
Jordan Swibel – 1
There’s been a fair bit more defensive solidity this month, which the team was really struggling for throughout March and April. The 2-2 draw with Marconi particularly proves this point. At 1-1 Jerry Skotadis was sent off for dissent. Down to 10 men, Hassan Jalloh scored from a mistake to make it 2-1 and the team were able to show some real determination to hold out for a 2-2 draw. I think a lot of this defensive solidity can be put down to McGing, who has had quite a good month and has really developed well in the last couple of months.
As a side note Jalloh has a really amazing backstory, given that he only arrived in Australia in 2010 as a refugee from Sierra Leone. You can read more about him here. Jalloh is very quickly becoming an integral part of the attack and he looks like he can make something happen every time he plays. When he first arrived he was always looking for goal himself, but he is starting to set other players up much better as he gets used to playing with everyone a bit more.
The win against Rockdale was really well earned. The second goal in particular was really well worked. Skotadis made a great bursting run with the ball from deep, then played a 1-2 with McIlhatton to get into the final third. Skotadis laid it off wide to Cox, who buried the chance. It was made all the sweeter because Ante Covic was in goal for Rockdale. I highly recommend watching the highlights above as it is really well worked.
The games in May are:
2/6/18 – 7:45pm – Lambert Park – Sydney FC vs Sutherland Sharks FC
9/6/18 – 7:00pm – WIN Stadium – Wollongong Wolves FC vs Sydney FC
16/6/18 – 7:45pm – Lambert Park – Sydney FC vs Sydney United 58 FC
23/6/18 – 7:00pm – Bonyrigg Sports Club – Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC vs Sydney FC
30/6/18 – 7:45pm – Lambert Park – Sydney FC vs APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC
Under 20s
5/5/18 – Sydney FC 4 – 0 Marconi Stallions FC
12/5/18 – Blacktown City FC 4 – 4 Sydney FC
19/5/18 – Sydney FC 2 – 2 Wollongong Wolves
27/5/18 – Hakoah Sydney City East FC 3 – 2 Sydney FC
The U20s have fallen off the pace a little bit this month, despite scoring 8 goals in 4 matches. However, their defensive frailty has once again resulted in them not being able to capitalise. They no longer look like they might be in contention for the title, sitting fifth with 20 points from 12 games. However, it is pleasing to see that Jordan Swibel has now scored 11 goals this NPL season and has started to break into the first team on occasion.
Under 18s
5/5/18 – Sydney FC 3 – 1 Marconi Stallions FC
12/5/18 – Blacktown City FC 4 – 1 Sydney FC
19/5/18 – Sydney FC 2 – 1 Rockdale City Suns FC
27/5/18 – Hakoah Sydney City East FC 1 – 2 Sydney FC
The 18s remain in the race for the title, sitting second on the ladder with 28 points, just 2 points behind Blacktown City FC. The 4-1 loss may well prove to be a title decider. Alex Masciovecchio has managed to continue his strong goalscoring form from 2017, with 10 goals in 11 games.