Dogged Blacktown City display edges United 58
Blacktown City FC has produced a stout defensive performance to claim their first three points of the National Premier Leagues NSW season as they triumphed 1-0 against Sydney United 58 FC at Sydney United Sports Centre.
A classy chipped finish from Blacktown midfielder Connor Evans was the difference as the visitors clung on despite a fast finishing United 58.
The Reds had a perfect chance to level the scores from the penalty spot just before half time but were denied but a spectacular save from Tristan Prendergast.
Sydney United 58 FC poured on the attack in the second half, straining for an equaliser but a resolute Blacktown City FC defence held firm to open their tally for the new season.
From the opening minutes, Sydney United 58 FC thrust forward to put their mark on the contest. Matthew Sim took aim in the fourth minute but it sailed wide.
Chris Payne was the next to test Prendergast, the Blacktown custodian was definitely the busier of the two keepers in the first half.
Sydney United 58 continued to probe as Payne was on the end of a slick sequence of play that saw the former A-League striker flash one past the left post.
Stand-in skipper Panny Nikas had a pair of efforts in the 13th and 19th minute, as Sydney United 58 looked ominous to find the back of the net.
Blacktown City FC started to get their foot into the contest after the half hour mark with efforts from Charles Mendy and Joey Gibbs testing the United 58 defence.
After all the attacking brilliance, the goal came from an unfortunate mistake from Sydney United 58 keeper John Hall.
The former Wanderers and Adelaide United shot stopper dwelled on the ball allowing Mendy to pass to Evans, who chipped the ball into the right corner of the net for a 1-0 lead.
There was one final chance for Sydney United 58 in the first half when Grant Lynch was called for handball.
Payne stepped up to the spot but Prendergast dived low to the right and saved the spot kick.
As the prospect of going 0-2 to start the season loomed, Sydney United 58 FC pushed forward with more urgency. Matthew Sim cut a central figure as he fired several attempts at Prendergast and replacement keeper Stevan Savicic.
For Sydney United 58 FC despite their dominance, the best chances came from the set piece.
Sim’s effort ended up high and wide as the groans around Sydney United Sports Centre grew.
In the dying embers as time ticked into injury time – United had one final chance at the corner, big defender Adrian Vlastelica jumped highest to nod home, but Savicic stuck one hand up to tip the ball over the bar and preserve the victory.
Afterwards Blacktown City FC coach Mark Crittenden praised his underdone squad on finding a way to win the contest.
“The first half was slow but we worked our way into the half and it was an opportunistic goal. With the injuries and the boys not having a lot of football in their legs, it was a back to the wall effort,” Crittenden said.
“We came here to get three points and we got it. Four points after the first two games is a great start for the season against such a tough side like Sydney United 58 FC.”
For Sydney United 58 FC they will be disappointed to be pointless after two games with the squad they have built in the off-season as former Socceroo star and Reds coach Jason Culina continues his search for his first official victory for the club in the 2018 NPL NSW Men’s season.
Match Stats
Sydney United 58 FC 0
Blacktown City FC 1 (Evans ’41)
Saturday 17th March 2018
Sydney United Sports Centre
Sydney United 58 FC: 1. HALL John, 4. VLASTELICA Adrian, 5. TOMELIC Anthony, 6. PAYNE Christopher, 8. SIM Matthew, 9. ANTELMI Patrick, 11. PERKATIS Yianni, 12. COLE Shannon(17. BILIC ’83), 15. MENDA Tomoki, 18. TRIFIRO Glen and 23. NIKAS Panagiotis(2. GONZALEZ ’63)
Substitutes not used: 7. RAHIMI Mohammed, 20. MARKOVIC Peter and 21. MANOS Thomas
Yellow cards: Antelmi, Perkatis
Red cards: nil
Blacktown City FC: 1. PRENDERGAST Tristan(20. SAVICIC ’57), 3. SPERANZA Giorgio, 4. SPERANZA Roberto, 5. LYNCH Grant, 6. LEWIS Matthew, 7. CLUT Devante, 9. GIBBS Joey(11. CHOI ’55), 10. EVANS Connor, 12. MENDY Charles, 18. VERSI Mason(19. CAIRNCROSS ’71) and 21. SPYRAKIS Yianni
Substitutes not used: 16. RODIC Mark and 23. BRAGG Daniel
Yellow cards: Cairncross, Mendy Trifiro and Versi
Red cards: nil
By National Premier Leagues NSW reporter Justin Davies
Player Ratings
3: Connor Evans (BCFC)
2: Giorgio Speranza (BCFC)
1: Matthew Sim (SU 58)
-By Justin Davies
