Sydney are yet to take a backward step | (Credit: Getty Images) Sydney are yet to take a backward step | (Credit: Getty Images)

Heading into Week 4 Sydney FC have been the irresistible team of Season Three.  A 4 - 1 win over Adelaide United saw them notch up their third straight win and 4 goal performance.

The Newcastle Jets on the other hand were on the end of a 4 goal scoreline as they went down to a fired up Brisbane Roar outfit.

For anyone that may be considering the thought that this early surge from Sydney could be attributed to a little bit of early season luck, let's run over a few statistics!

Alen Stajcic’s Sydney girls are undefeated, having won 14 games in a row. Their last loss came at the hands of Central Coast Mariners in Round One last season.

They have scored a tremendous 12 goals in 3 games in this Westfield W-League season alone, averaging out to be 4 goals a game, which coincidentally has been the number of goals scored by Sydney each match.

A major strength in the Sydney side is the fact that they are not only relying on strikers Kyah Simon and Leena Khamis alone for goals; a number of different names end up on the score sheet each match. Heather Garriock, Kylie Ledbrook and Caitlin Foord have all chipped in to add to the gigantic tally of goals scored.

One player in particular has been playing incredible football and in the process has earned herself the title of 'Super sub'! Catherine Canulli is proving to be a great asset for Sydney, undertaking a vital role of coming on late in the game, cementing the win for her team with late goals. In the last two matches Canulli has scored world class goals in each game.

Sydney will have to keep this standard up each week as teams are becoming hungrier, and more determined to be the one that halts their winning streak. With the return of Servet Uzunlar from her duties with Danish club side Fortuna Hjorring, an already strong Sky Blues squad gets even stronger.

Newcastle will attempt the feat this Saturday, but will have to improve on last week’s performance against the Roar if they plan for a successful outcome. The Jets would be disappointed with their result last week, losing to Brisbane Roar 4-0.

One encouraging aspect of the match was the debut appearance of international signing Nicole Cross. Cross was extremely busy in the midfield disrupting The Roar’s attack throughout the match and providing that inspiration the Jets needed.

Ultimately it wasn't enough to overcome the Roar, however Cross may be the answer in helping to prevent Sydney’s attack, dictating play and dominating this week.

Their last fixture was a close, tight contest with a solitary Leena Khamis goal separating the two sides. The ledger has this match up evenly poised with both sides notching up a victory apiece with a draw thrown in there. Sydney will enter this match red-hot favourites but the Newcastle Jets can’t be discounted to threaten or even knock off the ladder leaders.

Either way, there is an unspoken healthy rivalry between the two clubs which will prove it to be a very compelling game to watch! This is the ‘Match of the Week’ so if you can’t get to Campbelltown Stadium to support your team, the match can be viewed in ABC 1, 3pm nationally.

Saturday, 27 November 2010

Campbelltown Stadium, Campbelltown

Local kick-off time: 3.00pm

Referee: Kiralee Gardiner

Assisstant referees: Katie Patterson and Melinda Bell

Fourth official: Liz Shorter

Live and exclusive on ABC1 from 3.00pm AEDT

Sydney FC squad: 1. Dimi POULOS (gk), 2. Teresa POLIAS, 3. Danielle BROGAN, 4. Alesha CLIFFORD, 6. Servet UZUNLAR 7. Heather GARRIOCK (c), 8. Renee ROLLASON, 9. Caitlin FOORD, 10. Kylie LEDBROOK, 11. Lydia VANDENBERGH, 13. Catherine CANNULI, 15. Teigen ALLEN,  17. Kyah SIMON, 18. Samantha SPACKMAN, 19. Leena KHAMIS, 20. Erin HERD (gk).

**One to be omitted**

In: Servet UZUNLAR (returns from Danish club side Fortuna Hjorring)

Out: Nil

Unavailable: Nil

Newcastle Jets squad: 1. Allison LIPSHER (gk), 2. Hannah BREWER, 3. Hayley CRAWFORD, 4. Niki CROSS,  5. Gema SIMON, 6. Renee CARTWRIGHT, 7. Tara ANDREWS, 8. Amber NEILSON, 9. Sasha McDONNELL, 10. Leia SMITH, 11. Kara MOWBRAY, 12. Melissa FEUERRIEGEL, 13. Thea SLATYER, 14. Carlie IKONOMOU, 16. Kate HENSMAN, 17. Alex HUYNH, 20. Alison LOGUE (gk)

**Two to be omitted**

In: Carlie IKONOMOU (promoted), Alex HUYNH (promoted)

Out: Nil

Unavailable: Nil