No panic for Sydney FC over slow ALW season start

Sydney FC star recruit Millie Farrow insists it’s not time to panic despite a dismal start to their A-League Women title defence.

Seven months on from claiming back-to-back championships, the Sky Blues are second from the bottom and have only managed one win from six games.

The competition heavyweights looked destined to find their second victory after Newcastle were forced to play with 10 last time out, but instead coughed up an early one-goal lead in the dying minutes to lose 2-1.

They next face a vastly improved Wellington Phoenix on Saturday at Porirua Park.

Still, former Perth Glory striker Farrow is refusing to be melodramatic about their current form, given there are 17 rounds left of the home-and-away season.

“We’ve just been pretty unlucky with the way results have gone, to be honest,” Farrow told AAP.

“To go 1-0 up against 10 men and then lose it in the last sort of five-ish minutes is obviously devastating for us.

“We took a day off. We’re still keeping it very positive.

“It’s such a long season now, anything can happen and I think we’re just brewing.”

The Sky Blues won’t waste any time dwelling on their Newcastle flop, with all eyes turning to their away match against the ‘Nix.

“It’s pretty much that game’s gone now, so it’s on to the next one,” Farrow said.

“It’s definitely just a positive vibe and more of an open-minded outlook on it rather than panic mode.

“That’s definitely not necessary.

“It’s just small details, all small mistakes or little things like that that we know we can do better at.”

Farrow hopes not only to return to winning ways against the ‘Nix but rediscover her goalscoring form.

In her first ALW season after making the move from the National Women’s Soccer League, Farrow had netted seven goals and four assists across 22 matches for the Glory across the 2023/23 campaign.

She has only played in three matches for Sydney after picking up a small tear in her hamstring in round two.

“Definitely frustrating because coming into a new team, you want to obviously prove yourself and try and cement a spot in the side as well,” Farrow said.

“Historically, it’s a very successful club, which is part of the reason why I came as well.

“I wanted to experience that kind of winning mentality and try and win some trophies as well.

“That whole motivation restarts again, even more so because I’m in a team that’s used to winning.”

Adelaide United and Melbourne City kick off round seven on Friday at Coopers Stadium before dead-last Western Sydney look to find their groove against Perth.

Also on Saturday, Newcastle play Brisbane and Canberra go toe-to-toe with Melbourne Victory before Central Coast host Western United for the only match on Sunday.