Macarthur FC Bulls claim first win over Sydney FC

A moment of brilliance from Markel Susaeata has earned Macarthur FC their first ever A-League win over city rivals Sydney FC at Jubilee Stadium.

Macarthur FC’s Mark Milligan battles against Sydney FC’s Patrick Wood at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

A moment of brilliance from Markel Susaeata has earned Macarthur FC their first ever A-League win over city rivals Sydney FC at Jubilee Stadium.

Playing each other for just the second time, it was the competition’s newbies who came away with bragging rights – making up for their first encounter when they were humbled 3-0 at home.

But Matt Derbyshire’s first-half strike on this occasion was enough to claim all three points for Macarthur against a Sydney side who were down to 10 men.

The result moves Macarthur six points ahead of the defending champions, though Sydney do have two games in hand.

Sydney coach Steve Corica was left bemused by the officiating, including the referee’s decision to send off Retre for a studs-up challenge in the first half and Antony Golec’s blatant handball that went unpunished.

“We all make mistakes and I think the referee tonight probably made quite a few mistakes,” Corica said.

“In the end was it a red card? I don’t think so. His foot was high, yes, but it wasn’t a nasty challenge at all.

“There were a few decisions that, for me, he got wrong tonight.”

The Sky Blues were made to pay, and then some, for missing a couple of guilt-edged chances.

First Patrick Wood had an effort well saved by Adam Federici, before Paulo Retre’s right-footed shot crashed into the woodwork after he was beautifully played in by Milos Ninkovic.

Then came Susaeta’s match-turning moment of brilliance in the 36th minute. The Spaniard danced through four Sydney defenders to the byline, before cutting the ball back for Derbyshire to tap it in and pluck a lead for Macarthur out of nowhere.

The home side squandered an opportunity to respond moments later when Barbarouses missed from close range after being found by a superb Alex Baumjohann pass.

Then things went from bad to worse for Sydney. Two minutes after Derbyshire’s goal, Retre was shown a straight red card for his studs up challenge on Joel McGing. There was no malicious intent, but Retre did catch McGing above the knee, leaving referee Alex King with little choice but to send him off.

It was Macarthur’s turn to miss chances in the second half, but it mattered little to the end result. Susaeta, Derbyshire and Loic Puyo all had opportunities to put the visitors further in the lead, all the while Sydney began creating a few chances themselves.

The Sky Blues fought valiantly with a man short, but the defeat means they are without a win in their last three matches after suffering back-to-back defeats.

CORICA FRUSTRATED

Steve Corica had to tread carefully after he was booked in the aftermath of Paulo Retre’s send-off. The Sydney FC coach was voicing his frustration after he felt Mark Milligan should have been at least booked for a clumsy challenge on Kosta Barbarouses just outside the box.

JUBILEE NOT SO JUBILANT

The Sky Blues haven’t enjoyed a great recent record at Jubilee Stadium. After winning 13 consecutive games at the venue, Sydney now have just two wins from their last eight matches in Kogarah. It’s been a stuttering campaign for the defending champions.

FEDERICI HEROICS

Not for the first time this season, Adam Federici came to Macarthur’s rescue. On several occasions he pulled off superb saves to keep Sydney at bay. Federici has conceded just 13 goals this season and has easily been on the A-League’s standout players so far this campaign.

NCA Newswire