Sydney FC have made it three wins in a row at Kogarah with a tense 2-1 victory over Adelaide United on Sunday.
A sublime Siem de Jong free kick gave the Sky Blues an early lead at Jubilee Stadium before Jacob Tratt doubled the advantage early in the second half.
Adelaide pulled a goal back almost immediately through Craig Goodwin from the penalty spot but Sydney were able to hang on for a vital three points in their pursuit of top of the table Perth.
Another healthy crowd of 11,560 made their way to Jubilee for Sydney’s fifth of seven home games this season at their major temporary home ground.
The Sky Blues had the lead inside 12 minutes when Milos Ninkovic was harshly judged to have been fouled on the edge of the penalty area.
But de Jong showed the Reds no mercy, whipping his free kick into the top left hand corner to open the scoring.
Former Sutherland Sharks captain Tratt, fresh from signing a new contract with the club until the end of next season, had Sydney 2-0 in front three minutes into the second half.
The right back earned a reputation for his ability at set pieces with Sutherland in the NPL 1 competition and enhanced it with his first A-League goal against Western Sydney last month.
Tratt was at it again, this time showing great desire to attack a Brandon O’Neill corner to plant his header past Paul Izzo for his second goal of the season.
But just when Sydney thought they could relax, Adelaide had pulled a goal back.
Less than one minute later, Aaron Calver was judged to have fouled half-time substitute George Blackwood. Replays again showed it was a tough decision.
Goodwin stepped up to roll the ball past Andrew Redmayne to halve the deficit.
De Jong looked to have scored a second midway through the half, only for the video assistant referee to correctly rule the goal out after Adam Le Fondre was spotted offside before he flicked the ball on for de Jong.
Alex Brosque could have sealed the match with four minutes to play but could only blaze his volley wide with only Izzo to beat.
Sydney almost paid for the miss as Adelaide looked certain to equalise deep into injury time.
Michael Marrone cut the ball back for Ryan Kitto but, with only Redmayne to beat, the Reds substitute could only find the goalkeeper’s outstretched glove.
Redmayne, celebrating his 30th birthday, was the one handing out the presents, securing three points for his side as Sydney bounced back from a tough trip to Perth midweek.
It was the Sky Blues’ third win in a row at Jubilee. Sydney have started to make Kogarah home after defeats in their first two matches.
Sydney FC return to Kogarah to host struggling Newcastle on Saturday night.
Leader Scoreboard
Sydney FC 2 (Siem de Jong ‘13, Jacob Tratt ‘48)
defeated
Adelaide United 1 (Craig Goodwin ‘50 pen)
at Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah
Crowd: 11, 560