White Eagles win in eight goal thriller
Fans of defensive stalemates would’ve been left thoroughly disappointed at Blacktown Football Park on Saturday night.
An eight goal thriller gave fans plenty of excitement as Bonnyrigg White Eagles overpowered Blacktown Spartans 5-3.
It was a heartbreaking loss for the home side who had total control of the match after 45 minutes.
After a narrow 4-3 loss to Sydney Olympic at the same ground last week, the Spartans looked to take it to the big boys once again with an attacking focus from the opening whistle.
A sluggish Bonnyrigg defence was on the back foot for much of the opening exchanges as speedster Daniel Fogarty tore the opposition to shreds.
The pressure paid off with it taking only 11 minutes for the deadlock to be broken.
Former White Eagles player Luka Dukic’s low and powerful free kick snuck under the Bonnyrigg wall from 20 yards out to give the home side the lead.
The goal provided the home side a platform to attack and they didn’t hold back going after their more favoured opponent.
Bonnyrigg had it’s chances too however Carlos Saliadiarre was in fine form between the sticks to deny the White Eagles’ opportunities.
Just on the brink of half time the Spartans struck again.
Jordan Crighton latching onto a pinpoint cross from Futa Nakamura to double the home side’s lead going into the half time break.
Whatever White Eagles Coach Brian Brown said to his troops in the half time interval certainly worked.
Bonnyrigg were determined to find their way back into the match and it couldn’t be clearer on the pitch.
Wave after wave of attacks from the visitors had Blacktown struggling to keep its defensive line together.
On the 56 minute mark Bonnyrigg struck back through Tynan Diaz.
The fightback was on in earnest and 10 minutes later the scores were level when Robbie Younis hit the back of the net to make it 2-2.
Not satisfied with a draw, Brian Brown’s men continued to push forward and finally took the lead in the 75th minute courtesy of Adam Jenner.
However the match would take another twist in the 80th minute when former White Eagles player Mitchell Long managed to peg one back for the home side to have the scores deadlocked once again at 3-3.
However it wasn’t enough to stop the momentum of Bonnyrigg with Younis scoring two late strikes to secure all three points for the visitors.
Spartan’s coach Ben De Haan was left to lament what could’ve been after the final siren.
“It’s hard to find the words to say after that result,” De Haan said.
“We played some great football in phases but also missed our fair share of chances. We could’ve been up by five goals at the break if we took advantage of our opportunities.
“It’s not like we are being seriously outplayed each week but we are just lacking the final bit of polish which could elevate this time to the next level.
Brian Brown praised the fighting spirit of his side to win the match from two goals down.
“At half time I said to the boys they can go back out and play the same way or you can lift your game and play the way I know we can,” Brown said.
“It was great to see the players taking the positive step and giving it their all to win what could’ve been a massive defeat.
“Credit to Blacktown Spartans. They played well and really pushed us all the way.”
Match Stats
Blacktown Spartans 3 (Dukic 11’ Crighton 44’ Long’ 80’)
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 5 (Diaz 56’, Younis 58’, 85’, 87’, Jenner 75’)
Sunday, May 9, 2015
Blacktown Football Park, Rooty Hill
Referee: Adam Susz
Assistant Referees: Scott Edeling & Matthew Cassidy
Fourth Official: Matthew Riedy
Blacktown Spartans: Saliadarre; Crighton (Douglas 87’), Dukic, Fogarty, Kondek, Long, Morton, Nakamura, Quigley, Sasaki, Tanner (Agathos 46’)
Substitutes not used: Da Silva, Nascimben, Valastro
Yellow Cards:
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: Chronopoulos; Caira (Canak 27’), Diaz, Fox, Gil, Mansueto (Kokado 90’), MIller, Peterson (Jenner 36’), Tadrosse, Younis, Zonjic
Substitutes not used:Gobbo, McDonald
Yellow Cards: Younis 56’ Gil 60’
Player Ratings
3 – Younis (Bonnyrigg)
2 – Tadrosse (Bonnyrigg)
1- Long (Blacktown)
