Sydney teenager breaks Wanderers hearts in ALW derby

Sydney FC avoided their worst start in A-League Women history courtesy of a late goal by 18-year-old forward Caley Tallon-Henniker in a pulsating 1-0 derby win over Western Sydney. In other ALW clashes on Saturday, defending premiers Melbourne City dropped points for the first time this season in a 2-2 draw with Central Coast, and Adelaide United won 2-0 away to end Canberra United's two-game winning streak. The Sydney derby at Leichhardt Oval had a lot on the line for last season's ALW championship winners.

The Sky Blues, who lost their grip on the 2023-24 premiership with two shock losses late in the campaign, had lost their opening two matches this season. Never in the club's history had they been winless after three rounds. Super-sub Tallon-Henniker, who also scored in her previous derby clash, came off the bench to score in the 86th minute to break the Wanderers' hearts.



In a match where composure in front of goal was often lacking, the teenager positioned herself to receive a Shay Hollman pass on the edge of the box and slammed it into the roof of the net. "That's incredible," Tallon-Henniker told Paramount after the win. "Last time I played Wanderers I scored a goal.

I said, 'maybe it will happen again' and it did. I am pretty happy. "Growing up I loved Sydney, so the Sydney derby was always the one in the house to watch.

To be able to play in two of them now, the atmosphere is second to none." Sydney have not lost their past 10 derbies. The Wanderers have won just two of 23, their last victory in 2019.

They will rue the missed chances that cost them dearly on Saturday. Unmarked defender Paige Hayward squandered the best opportunity from close range after a pinpoint cross from midfielder Talia Younis. Sky Blues forward Shea Connors threatened and also sprayed a golden chance wide after doing well to control the ball with her first touch.

The Wanderers created space and opportunities, but either the last pass was poor or the final shot wide. Striker Sophie Harding was one of the culprits. On the cusp of half-time, forward Cushla Rue was clear but bungled her first touch into the arms of Sydney goalkeeper Brianna Edwards.

Connors' speed made her a target in the second half and she did make an impact but lacked support at crucial stages, before Tallon-Henniker stepped up to win it. The early-season form of Adelaide striker Fiona Worts has been outstanding. The Englishwoman has four goals this campaign after netting with a clinical strike against Canberra on Saturday.

Emily Condon had opened the scoring. Mariners midfielder Isabel Gomez celebrated her call-up to the Matildas squad with a player-of-the-match display against Melbourne City as the visitors twice came back from a goal down. Gomez was the provider for the side's first goal to Annalise Rasmussen, before equalising in the 76th with a left-foot shot of her own.

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