W-League: Sydney FC down Wanderers to make flying start

Matildas star Caitlin Foord scored a double as Sydney FC made a statement of intent on the opening day of the W-League season.

Caitlin Foord is mobbed by teammates after scoring for Sydney FC against the Wanderers at Marconi Stadium. Picture: AAP

Matildas star Caitlin Foord scored a double as Sydney FC made a statement of intent on the opening day of the W-League season with a 3-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers.

With six former Sydney FC players in their line-up and against opponents missing key personnel, the Wanderers would have fancied their chances of improving their record of just one win from their last 10 encounters with the Sky Blues but Sydney FC immediately found their groove at Marconi Stadium.

New American import Savannah McCaskill made an early impact after being unveiled by Sydney FC on matchday, feeding a smart ball for Foord who danced around the advancing goalkeeper to score with ease on 13 minutes.

It could have been far worse for the slow-starting Wanderers, with Matildas striker Lisa De Vanna missing three good first-half opportunities as Foord and McCaskill found space with regularity.

The Wanderers in contrast carved out just one decent chance before the break, but midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta was unable to make it count.

Alanna Kennedy was a key absentee from a new-look Sky Blues’ defence but the Wanderers were largely restricted to long-range efforts.

After a number of half-openings inside the penalty area it took a Chloe Logarzo long-range strike to double Sydney’s advantage on the hour mark.

The Wanderers pushed LaBonta forward in an effort to force their way back into the contest and the American almost brought immediate dividends by rocking the crossbar with a fierce strike.

But the ascendancy remained with Sydney and Logarzo was denied her second with her header hitting the crossbar at the other end.

More goals seemed imminent and De Vanna superbly set up Foord for a tap-in with 14 minutes remaining.

AAP