Blacktown City FC’s strong junior base has the club in great position for the future, according to head coach Mark Crittenden.
The club’s first grade squad sit in second position after the 4-1 thrashing of reigning IGA National Premier League NSW Mens 1 champions Bonnyrigg White Eagles, followed by their under-20s and 18s both sitting in third position respectively.
Crittenden said he aims to fields a squad full of juniors in the coming years.
“That’s the one good thing we have here is that we have a lot of local young kids here.
“It is something we pride ourselves on in giving our young ones a go.
“It pays dividends, you see Kearyn Baccus, Matty Lewis is another one who played his junior football here, Zac (Cairncross), Travis (Major) they are all local juniors so that’s a real positive that they are playing first grade now.
“Our aim is to get (our juniors) up to the A-League if we can, if not then they can come through and play first grade football for us.
“It would be lovely to have a squad of 13 that are all local juniors, that would be something special.”
Blacktown has been on fire in the first grade competition, scoring 27 goals in the opening nine fixtures this season.
Mark Crittenden is in his third year at the helm and believes his squad has what it takes to trouble any side in the competition.
“It’s a very even competition but on our day we’re as good as anyone in the league we believe,” he said.
“So I think if we keep working hard as a group – keep everyone happy -we are a sneaky little chance.
“We’ve got a well-balanced side. Travis is a good finisher, always has been. Nine doesn’t suit him 100 per cent but he is learning, is starting to learn how to bring the ball down and hold it up. He’s got pace, he’s strong and a very good finisher.
“Then you have Miya (Ryuji Miyazawa), Kearyn Baccus, big Zac at the back who is as solid as a rock.”
Their next test comes at Sydney United Sports Centre this Sunday when they face Sydney United 58 FC.
But you cannot blame City looking forward to the highly anticipated Blacktown derby when they face the unbeaten and league leaders Spartans at Lilys Football Centre on May 25.
“Full credit to them they have recruited well and are obviously playing some very good football,” Crittenden said.
“To be nine from nine they are doing very well especially in this league.
“We get them in two weeks it will be a pretty decent derby, they’ll be on top and hopefully we are still somewhere there about so it will be a cracker of a game.”
-By Chris Georges