Sydney outclass Central Coast

By: Matt Collard | October 7th, 2009

A 21st minute header from Terry McFlynn has sent Sydney to the top of the A-League after a 1-0 win against Central Coast.

A crowd of 13,887 saw Sydney outclass Central Coast in a game which was hotly contested. The game started fiercely with Alex Brosque going down in just the second minute. The resulting free kick lead to a corner which saw Sydneys first shot on goal.

Central’s coast best chance to take the lead came in the 14th minute when a good ball into the box made its way over the defence and found an unmarked man, only for Bolton to make a fantastic save to deny Central Coast the opener.

The game managed to keep up its high tempo and even start throughout the opening 20 minutes which kept the fans excited and interested. Sydney’s second corner got hearts pumping as a well rehearsed move saw Byun find Kisel deep in the box, only for Kisel to volley it over.

But a minute later, some clever play from Corica down the wing saw him able to keep possession from 2 defenders before passing it back to Musalik who played the ball in to McFlynn in the box. A well timed run and good technique saw McFlynn score the first and only goal of the match with his head. It was onlt the 6th time McFlynn has found the net for Sydney, but this was one of his most important.

Sydney had a golden opportunity to extend their lead when a CCM corner was cleared and found Bridge. Bridge played in a ball to Brosque to put him in space before a lovely ball in found Corica unmarked. Although, Coricas first time shot couldn’t find the target and a great chance went begging.

Sydney’s period of dominance continued as Brosque had a good shot well saved and from a resulting throw in, McFlynn went close with his shot.

Bridge

But Central Coast were determined not to go two down, and Bojic went close twice. His first shot was from well outside the box and called on Bolton to make a good save. From that corner, Bojic managed to get another shot on goal, this time with his head, but the ball flew harmlessly over the bar.

The scoreline stayed at 1-0 as the teams went to the break, but that should of changed in the 51st minute. An elementary error from Bolton which saw his kick deflected to Mrdja who was presented with an open goal. But Mrdja only managed to tangle himself up and stood on the ball. A great chance missed.

Sydney almost made Central Coast pay for there error just 5 minutes later. Karol Kisel played a low and hard cross into the box which was only just out of reach for a sliding in Brosque.

The Mariners once again came amazingly close, when McGlinchey almost scored in spectacular fashion. A volley from some 30 yards out dipped late and almost snuck into the top corner. Bolton came to the rescue once more with a brilliant save.

With 10 minutes remaining the heavens opened and the rain didn’t hold back – nor did Central Coast. A nervous 5 minutes of injury time saw the Mariners pinning Sydney to their goal but they couldn’t find the equaliser.

A classy performance by Sydney puts them on top of the league and high on confidence.

Sydney FC 1 (Terry McFlynn 21’)
Central Coast Mariners 0

Sydney FC: 1. Clint BOLTON (gk), 2. Sebastian RYALL, 3. Stephan KELLER (13. Antony GOLEC 90’), 4. Simon COLOSIMO, 6. Karol KISEL (12. Shannon COLE 72’), 8. Stuart MUSIALIK, 10. Steve CORICA (c), 14. Alex BROSQUE, 15.Terry MCFLYNN, 19. Mark BRIDGE (16. Chris PAYNE 84’), 22. Sung Hwan BYUN.

Substitutes not used: 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk).

Yellow Cards: nil.
Red Cards: nil.
Goals: 15. Terry McFlynn 21’.

Central Coast Mariners: 20. Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 4. Pedj BOJIC, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 8. Dean HEFFERNAN, 9. Nik MRDJA (23. Adam KWASNICK 68’), 11. Dylan MACALLISTER, 14. Michael McGLINCHEY, 16. Nigel BOOGAARD, 17. Chris DOIG, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 22. Nicky TRAVIS (5. Brad PORTER 73’).

Substitutes not used: 30. Matthew RYAN (gk), 15. Andrew CLARK.

Yellow Cards: nil.
Red Cards: nil.

Referee: Matthew Breeze.
Crowd: 13,887 at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Match details from www.sydneyfc.com

Going to the Arsenal game? Find out how to get to North London and where to stay near Emirates Stadium.
Buy tickets to Arsenal games.