Melbourne City falls 3-0 in another disastrous effort against Sydney FC

MELBOURNE City’s woeful record against Sydney FC continued in a performance that will set off alarm bells for a club craving a maiden A-League title.

MELBOURNE City’s woeful record against Sydney FC continued in a performance that will set off alarm bells for a club craving a maiden A-League title.

Ex-City midfielder Paulo Retre rubbed salt into City wounds, scoring the opener and setting up the sealer with a delightful assist as Adam Le Fondre pressed his golden boot claims with a third in as many games (four if you include the FFA Cup final).

BOLTED: USAIN LEAVES CENTRAL COAST

TEAM 11: BIG BUCKS FOR A-LEAGUE BID

Melbourne City goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic and Bart Schenkeveld are shattered after Sydney FC rubbed salt into their wounds with a third goal. Picture: Getty Images

Sky Blues coach Steve Corica rolled the dice by picking the same XI from the bruising Cup loss to Adelaide United last week, but in evoking the spirit of predecessor Graham Arnold he inspired a 3-0 win at AAMI Park, which prompted jeers at the final whistle.

Considering City’s physical advantage, it was a pedestrian display from Warren Joyce’s men, who rarely got out of second gear. It leaves City without a win against the Sky Blues in eight meetings in all competitions.

Captain Scott Jamieson and attacker Dario Vidosic came in, but City’s attacking balance was upset with Riley McGree deployed off the right-wing, which negated his goalscoring threat.

Bruno Fornaroli cut a frustrated figure, often trying to burrow through a sea of Sky Blue shirts with little support from midfield, with Sydney FC’s stingy defenders having a field day.

City coach Warren Joyce lamented his side’s inability to convert on its mountain of possession.

“Disappointing night — We had a lot of possession, not done enough with the ball,’’ Joyce said.

“The first goal ... we give the ball away by losing possession inside our own box.

“The goals in the second half were poor in transition.

“We didn’t pass the ball quick enough and there wasn’t enough movement in the forward areas and we gave the ball away cheap as well.

“Just as we’re making substitutions we give a really cheap, cheap goal away then you’re two-nil down.”

Retre opened the scoring after cleverly angling his body to enable himself to glance Rhyan Grant’s cross into the net.

Superstar signing Adam Le Fondre popped in a brace to break City’s collective hearts. Picture: AAP

Sydney FC keeper Andrew Redmayne copped the usual barrage from his former fans, but City players didn’t apply pressure where it mattered, as he enjoyed one of his easiest days at the office in a while.

Unmarked Bart Schenkeveld should have scored but somehow sent his header wide from Florin Berenguer’s set piece.

That would have been a mere consolation, as Sydney had already doubled their lead just after the restart, sending the 12,086 home crowd into stunned silence.

City keeper Eugene Galekovic was left to rue the ease at which the Sky Blues pierced his defence, as Grant and Retre again combined. This time Le Fondre got in on the act with a sublime finish.

Perhaps the most concerning aspect was that City did not give a yelp at any stage, and their lack of urgency gifted Le Fondre his second after sloppy defending from Ritchie de Laet saw him pounce.

Sydney FC coach Steve Corica was delighted with his players.

“It was a great performance and I’m very proud of them after the week they’ve had,’’ Corica said.

It was a horror night Dario Vidosic and City. Picture: AAP

JAS IT UP: SPENCER HAT TRICK PROPELS CITY

W-LEAGUE ROUND 2

MELBOURNE CITY 3 (Spencer 13, 48, 60)

d

SYDNEY FC 1 (Sayer 21)

AAMI Park

Melbourne City is officially in contention for a historic W-League four-peat, after dismantling Sydney FC in last night’s grand final replay.

US international Jasmyne Spencer wads the destroyer, netting an impressive hat-trick in a 3-1 win against a strong Sydney FC ream boasting Matildas stars Caitlin Foord, Lisa De Vanna and Chloe Logarzo.

City coach Rado Vidosic had placed low expectations on his understrength side at the start of the season, with Matildas trio Steph Catley, Kyah Simon and Tameka Butt still to return.

Jasmyne Spencer beat Sydney FC off her own boot — and didn’t she enjoy it. Picture: Getty Images

But rushing Elise Kellond-Knight and Yukari Kinga into the XI despite only arriving in Melbourne a few days ago was an inspired choice, with the experienced duo dictating the tempo.

There was a late scare for City and the Matildas ahead of the international break, with Lydia Williams colliding with the post in stoppage time although she played out the game.

City pressed intelligently and made it difficult for the Sky Blues, who persisted and equalised after Spencer’s clever opener when she sliced through the defence and finished with a cheeky toe-poke.

Savannah McCaskill’s killer pass released De Vanna whose shot was saved before Amy Sayer finished.

City players celebrate one of Jasmyne Spencer’s three goals. Picture: AAP

Level at the break, City dominated the second stanza although the world-class shot-stopping of Williams certainly helped, saving from Logarzo just after the restart.

Spencer was ruthless, starting and finishing a top passage, releasing Tyla-Jay Vlajnic, before bursting into the box and finishing.

The third was a superb passage, with Rhali Dobson releasing Spencer with a clinical pass. The striker did the rest.

The only blemish for City was Chelsea Blissett’s send off for bringing McCaskill down when she was through on goal, but it made little difference.

Originally published as Melbourne City falls 3-0 in another disastrous effort against Sydney FC