Blacktown City stunned by hungry Tigers

13620037_1026331010755556_846659595851161275_n_-_Copy

APIA Leichhardt has shocked Blacktown City 2-1 in their PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Mens clash at Lily’s Football Centre on Sunday.

Two goals in under 60 seconds on the cusp of halftime was the big difference as Tasuku Sekiya and Jordan Murray struck for the visitors in the 38th and 39th minute.

A late comeback lead by Danny Choi helped Blacktown avoid the shutout, but it wasn’t enough for Mark Crittenden’s side to avoid an embarrassing loss.

APIA took the game to their opposition right from the opening whistle.

Tasuku Sekiya skipped past his marker in only the second minute for APIA and forced Blacktown shot stopper Nenad Vekic into a quality to save.

City began to push and probe down the flanks but occasionally found themselves caught out to APIA’s quick counter attack.

Roberto Speranza forced Tigers’ keeper Ryan Norval into tipping over the bar with a cheeky chip shot in the 28th minute.

However, yet again, the corner amounted to little and in reply Vekic made an instinctive save with his feet from Jordan Murray seconds later at the other end.

Sasa Macura came closest to getting on the score sheet for Blacktown in the 35th minute when he forced Norval into an exceptional reaction save.

The deadlock was broken in the 38th minute when Sekiya lashed home from just inside the area.

The midfielder’s shot left Vekic with no chance of making the save and gave the visitors a 1-0 lead.

The goal shocked the Blacktown defence and APIA took full advantage hitting the back of the net for a second time only 60 seconds later courtesy of Jordan Murray.

APIA took a two goal lead to the break as Mark Crittenden’s Blacktown City side paid the price for a drop in concentration.

From the restart Vekic was forced into yet another save when he parried Adrian Vlastellica shot from close range.

Shane D’Cunha couldn’t direct his shot on target when played in by Patrick Antelmi and a good opportunity was wasted as City fought back.

Antelmi lifted a left foot effort over the bar after creating space inside the box with neat close control but Blacktown simply couldn’t find the net to reduce the deficit.

Blacktown switched to a back three when Roberto Speranza was replaced by Danny Choi on the hour mark. If City were to gain anything from the match they needed to throw the dice by pushing five into midfield.

Conner Evans tried a shot from distance as Blacktown began to push APIA back.

Patrick Antelmi unleashed a thunderbolt in the 72nd minute after working an opening that wasn’t far off the target. City were threatening but when Mitch Mallia curled one wide moments later it was just another sign it might not be the home side’s day.

Skipper Zach Cairncross was next to show but was left looking to the heavens when his header went wide of the upright. City were throwing everything at the Tigers but could not create the telling opening to find the net. Substitute Danny Choi finally made a breakthrough when he powered home in the 86th minute. City had left it late but it was game on once more.

An equaliser proved a bridge too far in the final wash-up leaving City coach Mark Crittenden to rue his sides lacklustre opening to the match.

“I thought the first-half was probably our worst of the season so far. It is a timely reminder to everyone you simply can’t just turn up and expect to win,” he said.

“They were well structured and we laid out at the break what we needed to do. We changed it up a bit but we left it too late to score.”

Daniel Cummins praised APIA’s performance.

“I felt our structure today was superb especially considering what happened last week. The lads came back and showed a bit of desire today,” he said.

“We played for each other and did a good job to come to Blacktown and win.

“We go into the final round next weekend buoyed by this win and it has shown a little of what we can do when we are on form and put our mind to it.”

Match Stats

Blacktown City 1 (Choi 86’)

APIA Leichhardt 2 (Sekiya 38, Murray 39)

Sunday, 7th August, 2016

Lily Homes Stadium, Blacktown

Referee: Peter Bankes

Assistant Referees: James Tesoriero & Raymond Osborne

Fourth Official: Sebastian Brennan

Blacktown City: 1. VEKIC Nenad, 4. SPERANZA Roberto (11. CHOI Danny 59’), 6. LEWIS Matt, 7. MAJOR Travis, 8. MACURA Sasa (21. SASAKI Riku 70’), 9. GIBBS Joey, 10. EVANS Conner, 14. MALLIA Mitchell, 15. D’Cunha Shayne, 16. ANTELME Patrick, 19. CAIRNCROSS Zach ©

Substitutes Not Used: 20. GALLO Luca

Yellow Cards: Cairncross 90+3

Red Cards:

APIA Leichhardt: 92. NORVAL Ryan, 2. MILLGATE Nathan, 5. HOOPER Brendan, 8. BIZCO Corey (23. OLSEN Nick 84’), 11. MURRAY Jordan (9. ELASI Nathan 84’), 16. SYMONDS Sean, 17. VLASTELLICA Adrian, 18. UCCHINO Adrian ©, 19. LUNDY Brandon, 20. SEKIYA Tasuka (15. MUATA-MARLOW Themba 90+4), 22. SOLE Zane

Substitutes Not Used:, 10. PARISI Franco, 50. TUXFORD Blake

Yellow Cards: Sole 78’, Ucchino 89’, Lundy 90+2

Red Cards:

-By PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Mens reporter Micky Brock