Comeback Kings Blacktown City continue golden form
BLACKTOWN City has cemented its status as the comeback kings of the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition after a heart stopping 2-1 win against Bonnyrigg White Eagles at Lily’s Football Centre on Saturday,
Two goals to super-sub Patrick Antelmi in the final minute of the match helped the Seven Hills based side snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and maintain its perfect start to the season.
It was a match which featured plenty of drama including a first half red card to Bonnyrigg’s Robbie Younis but it was the incredible concluding stages which will have fans talking for weeks.
Blacktown dominated the early stages of the match as Bonnyrigg struggled to find its feet.
Danny Choi was a constant presence for the home side as the left winger created plenty of headaches for the Bonnyrigg defence.
White Eagles shot stopper James Chronopoulous came to the rescue for the visitors after 14 minutes when he raced out to deny Travis Major one on one.
Chronopoulous was at it again only moments later with another big save as he blocked a Choi shot with his legs.
For all of Blacktown’s opportunities, the home side was lacking a clinical final touch in front of goal.
It took until the 32nd minute for Bonnyrigg’s first real chance of the match.
A curling free kick from Robbie Younis forced Blacktown keeper Tristan Prendergrast into a diving save.
A brain snap from Younis completely changed the fabric of the match when the star White Eagles striker was sent off in the 35th minute.
Although a man down, Bonnyrigg refused to relent and took a shock 1-0 lead in the 38th minute courtesy of Aaron Peterson.
A slick pass from Ray Miller caught a retreating Blacktown defence off guard as a flying Peterson took a touch and blasted his shot past a diving Prendergrast.
A late flurry from Blacktown wasn’t enough as Bonnyrigg took its 1-0 lead into the half time break.
While it was a tentative start to the second stanza, Blacktown slowly found its rhythm and pressured the Bonnyrigg defence with wave after wave of attack.
Mitchell Mallia was the focal point of the home side’s attack as the midfielder found himself in dangerous positions time and time again.
The addition of Patrick Antelmi after 65 minutes sparked Blacktown and the young striker made an instant impact with a dangerous cross which sailed through a packed penalty area.
Antelmi was unlucky not to hit the back of the net in the 77th minute when his volley from eight yards out was miraculously saved by Chronopoulous.
Blacktown’s desperation became more evident as the match slowly fell from its grasp as each minute passed.
Bonnyrigg refused to relent and sat back to absorb each City attack.
When the match seemed out of reach it was Antelmi who stepped up to the plate.
The substitute headed home from five yards out to level the scores in the 90th minute after a pin point cross from Choi.
With only seconds left on the clock, Blacktown refused to settle for a draw.
One final throw of the dice came up all sixes for the home side when a rampaging run from Major found a diving Antelmi at the back post to tap in the winner.
Just like all of Blacktown’s fans, City coach Mark Crittenden couldn’t believe his side’s incredible finish.
“What a win and what a way to finish the game,” he said.
“I was happy with the draw and then Patty (Antelmi) did the unbelievable and scored with the last kick of the game.
“Everyone in this team works hard for each other and the way they kept fighting until the final whistle is a testament to their commitment to this team. “
A sombre Brian Brown said his side will look to move on quickly from the loss.
“It is a very tough way to lose a match,” he said.
“With only ten men we did very well to play the way we did and the players deserved to come away from this match with a win.
“All we can do is move on to next round.”
Match Stats
Blacktown City FC 2 (Antelmi 90’, 94’)
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1 (Peterson 38’)
Sunday, April 10 2016
Lily’s Football Centre, Seven Hills
Referee: Adam Susz
Assistant Referee: Scott Edeling and Joon Park
Fourth Official: Brandon Lovric
Blacktown City: 20. PRENDERGRAST Tristan, 3. SPERANZA Giorgio, 4. SPERANZA Roberto (17. BEUMIE Lewis 65’), 6. LEWIS Matthew, 7. MAJOR Travis, 8. MACURA Sasa, 9. GIBBS Joey, 10. EVANS Connor, 11. CHOI Danny, 14. MALLIA Mitch (21. SASAKI Riku 70’), 19. CAIRNCROSS Zach (16. ANTELMI Patrick 65’)
Substitutes: 12. GROZDANOVSKI Jonathon,1. VEKIC Nenad,
Yellow Cards: Cairncross 41’ Evans 74’
Red Cards:
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1.CHRONOPOULOUS James, 2. MANSUETO Alexander (14. MCDONALD Taylor,45’), 3. VRANKOVIC David, 4. ROBINSON Michael, 6. ZONJIC Nikola, 9. YOUNIS Robbie, 10. KOKADO Yuta (5. JENNER Adam 49’), 15. MILLER Ray (21 CHUN Bo-Hyun 51’), 16. GALLAWAY Sam, 17. GIL Mun-Soo, 19. PETERSON Aaron,
Substitutes not used: 7. KONDEK Greg, 20. SAVCIC Stevan
Yellow Cards: Robinson 25’, Mansueto 37;’
Red Cards: Younis 35’
Player Ratings
3 – James Chronopoulous (BWE)
2 – Patrick Antelmi (BC)
1- Aaron Peterson (BWE)
