Sydney FC’s Remarkable 6-Year Derby Dominance Continues as 17-Year-Old Sets Record to Sustain Finals Aspirations

Sydney FC remains firmly in the running for a finals spot following a commanding 2-0 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers during Friday night’s Sydney Derby held at Marconi Stadium.

This latest triumph extends the Sky Blues’ remarkable derby record, with the Wanderers last triumphing over their city rivals in December 2019. Since that encounter, they have not only lost ten matches but have also failed to find the net in all but one goalless draw across their last 11 fixtures.

Mackenzie Hawkesby was the architect of the opening goal, converting a penalty at Marconi Stadium. Not long after, 17-year-old Indiana Dos Santos etched his name into the history books by becoming the youngest ever goalscorer in a Sydney Derby within the Ninja A-League.

The Sky Blues, who found themselves at the bottom of the table after 17 rounds, have surged back into finals contention by winning four of their last five matches. Ante Juric’s team now sits just three points shy of sixth-placed Brisbane Roar, though they will require favourable outcomes in the remaining three rounds to leap from ninth into the top six.

The first opportunity of the match fell to Sydney FC’s young star Indiana Dos Santos, whose powerful attempt from the edge of the box was comfortably gathered by Wanderers goalkeeper Sham Khamis.

After a cautious opening half-hour, Dos Santos had another crack from distance, but his strong effort missed the target, veering just wide of the top-right corner.

As the first half seemed destined to end without fireworks, the breakthrough finally arrived just before the whistle, courtesy of a penalty awarded to the Sky Blues.

A handball by Wanderers captain Amy Harrison, resulting from Maddie Caspers’ touch in the box, gave Mackenzie Hawkesby the chance to calmly convert from the spot and send Sydney FC into the break with a lead.

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In the second half, Wanderers head coach Geoff Abrahams introduced Bronte Trew off the bench in search of offensive spark. Just eight minutes into her appearance, the 22-year-old was presented with her side’s clearest opportunity but was thwarted by a superb save from Sydney keeper Jasmine Black, who maintained her clean sheet.

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As the hour approached, the Sky Blues made two tactical changes, introducing Princess Ibini and Millie Farrow. The latter played a pivotal role in extending their lead. Hawkesby capitalised on a defensive error by the Wanderers, winning the ball high up the pitch. The loose ball fell to Farrow, who expertly set up Dos Santos to make it 2-0, solidifying his status as the youngest goalscorer in the history of Sydney Derbies within the Ninja A-League.

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