David Williams and Jonatan Germano celebrate Melbourne Heart’s second goal. Photo: John Noonan
Sydney FC’s top six aspirations are back on shaky ground after a spirited display by home team Melbourne Heart on Sunday saw them win 3-1 in front of an impressive home crowd.
Most of the opening period didn’t see too much venturing into the opposition box by either side, but the Heart seemed to have more energy whenever they were in possession.
A 31st minute cross from the right saw a far post ball knocked back into the path of an unmarked Nick Kalmar who struck the ball inside the near post for a 1-0 lead.
It only took another 5 minutes for another breach when a deft touch by Eli Babalj caught the Sydney defence off guard, sending Jonatan Germano through on goal to blast the ball past the hapless keeper to double their lead.
David Williams calmly dispatches his penalty to give Melbourne Heart a 3-0 lead. Photo: John Noonan
A faster paced start to the second half saw Sydney caught out once more. A long ball over their defence landed in the path of the pacey David Williams who was pulled back in the box for a penalty that also saw defender Sebastian Ryall sent off for the foul. Williams sent Sydney’s keeper the wrong way giving Melbourne a 3-0 lead.
Sydney finally started to show some enterprise and on 58 minutes Joel Griffiths created something out of nothing when he turned to unleash an unstoppable shot into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Melbourne dropped deeper into their half and used their extra man advantage tactically to subdue the Sydney FC attack, running out the match 3-1 victors.
Melbourne Heart 3 (Nick Kalmar 31′, Jonatan Germano 36′,
David Williams 55′ pen)
Sydney FC 1 (Joel Griffiths 58′)
Man of the match: Matt Thompson
Crowd: 13.752
