Sydney FC and Blacktown City share the spoils

A healthy Demon?s home crowd of approximately 3000 at Gabbie Stadium was on hand for the entertaining encounter, and while the skill and experience of the Sydney squad was evident throughout the match, they were unable to capitalise on a number of opportunities to take the win.  
Sydney?s early midfield dominance enabled them to open the game up from the onset, working the ball forward and creating early chances for Alex Brosque and Terry McFlynn.
The combination of Steve Corica and Brosque troubled the Demon?s defence and led to one of  Sydney?s best chances of the first half.
Midway through the opening stanza, Corica chipped the ball in for Brosque, who played it back to Corica to sent the ball just over the bar.
Sydney?s defence was rarely troubled in the first half with Blacktown?s best opportunity coming towards the end of the period.
A through ball was sent into Sydney?s box, with Clint Bolton charging off his line to take the ball just as Demon?s forward Chris Bedzo appeared to be through on goal.
The second half saw the introduction of Fyfe, Biddle, Enfield and fellow American Matt Taylor into the game.
Ivan Necevski also returned to Sydney?s goals after playing the first half as the Demon?s keeper.
Terry McFlynn got Sydney started where they left off, with his early second half shot going close to getting Sydney on the scoreboard.
As the Demon?s confidence grew they managed to work their way through Sydney?s experienced midfield with shots from Salas and Maroney both forcing saves from Necevski.    
Sydney FC continued to push the ball forward before Adam Casey went down in a challenge on the left wing.
Defender Tsattalios crossed the free kick into the box before it fell for McFlynn, who?s shot narrowly missed the target from just inside the area.
Adam Casey was replaced mid-way through the half by the unlikely figure of Fox 8?s ?Football Superstar? host, Irish Pop-star Brian McFadden, who received a rowdy reception from the crowd every time he went near the ball.
Whilst McFadden was trying his best to make an impact, promising midfielder Adam Biddle made the most of his time on the pitch, darting through the centre and setting up Taylor with a through ball for one of the final chances of the game.  
With no major injury concerns and the re-forming of combinations that have helped the club to three successive finals appearances, Sydney FC will look to improve on their first up draw in their next trial.