With a Sydney derby between two teams desperate for their first win, and a top of the table clash in the Premier League, Round 3 was set for a rollercoaster ride.
In the Reserve Grade clash between the red and black and sky blue, a first-half brace to the Wanderers’ Jaxon Taylor set the tone of the game. Despite a well-executed Sydney FC set-play resulting in a Fletcher Ball goal, the red and black held their nerve to claim 3 points in a tight competition.
It was a similar story in the Premier League clash between Western Sydney Wanderers Powerchair Team and Sydney FC Powerchair Team, with two early goals to the red and black, including a spectacular spin finish from Ben Keyte, followed by a third to open the second half simply gave the sky blues too much to do to make a comeback. A consolation goal to Jye Mokluk was reward for effort but nothing could stop the Wanderers from winning in both grades.
The goals were scarce between the Newcastle Jets Powerchair Football Club and Hills United Football Club, and despite plenty of chances, a disallowed goal and several shots striking the woodwork, neither Reserve Grade side could be separated.
It looked as if the same would be the case in the Premier League, with a high intensity affair yielding nothing for half an hour. A pinpoint pass from Jets’ captain Dimitri Liolio-Davis found Ryan Seck for the opener with less than 10 minutes to go, capitalising on a period of pressure, but a Hills counter-attack moments later saw the Hills’ keeper Chris Turnbull setting up Abdullah Karim to level the scores. The result sees both sides remaining undefeated ahead of a rematch in Round 4.
Round 4 Results:
Reserve Grade:
Western Sydney Wanderers 2-1 Sydney FC
Hills United 0-0 Newcastle Jets
Premier League:
Western Sydney Wanderers 3-1 Sydney FC
Hills United 1-1 Newcastle Jets