Time after time throughout the Sydney A-League Women derby, Mackenzie Hawkesby found herself in goal-scoring positions, but she simply could not find the back of the net.

The Sydney FC midfielder had plenty of chances — five shots to be precise — during the 0-0 draw with Western Sydney Wanderers at Leichhardt Oval, and will be questioning how she failed to score and earn her side the three points.

While the draw keeps the Sky Blues undefeated four games into the season, frustrated forward Cortnee Vine said it was a case of two points dropped.

"Just the front third with the finishing, we have to finish those chances; we get so many and we don't finish them and we get results like this," Vine said afterward.

"Obviously we had a lot of chances, we didn't capitalise on that and that's disappointing. But it's not a loss so we go again next week."

Sydney missed lethal striker Remy Siemsen, out through illness which is understood not to be COVID-related.

Hawkesby fired over from inside the box on 10 minutes and tucked a close-range shot the wrong side of the post 10 minutes later, while consecutive corners on 35 minutes easily could have resulted in goals.

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But the pick of the lot again fell to her on the stroke of half-time after a divine Princess Ibini pass had her through on goal, but a lunging Wanderer defender deflected the shot.

The Wanderers almost struck in the opening minutes when Sheridan Gallagher beat Sydney FC keeper Jada Whyman to a loose ball, pushing her shot into the side netting.

The winless Wanderers could also have stolen the lead in the 65th minute, but a smothering save denied Bryleeh Henry a goal.

Western Sydney were probably lucky to avoid an early red card when Gallagher dragged Taylor Ray down by her hair, instead receiving a yellow.

Frustration also hit Sydney late as they pushed for a winner, with Hawkesby and Jessika Nash picking up bookings in consecutive minutes.

Wanderers assistant coach Sergio Malfara took charge of his team in the absence of usual head Catherine Cannuli, who is in isolation.

"I think it was definitely a 'Classico' — the tackles were there, there were chances up and down. The girls dug in deep and a draw in the end was a fair result," Malfara said,

"A point is fair but we want to win every game and we're still looking for that first win."

It was the first time the Wanderers have avoided defeat against Sydney in five games, dating back to round six of the 2019-20 season where they recorded a smashing 5-0 victory. It's also just the second draw between these two teams since they began competing in 2012, the first of which came in 2015.

AAP