Honours even at Cromer

Manly United and Blacktown City shared the points after an intriguing 1-1 draw at Cromer Park on Sunday afternoon. 

In what was very much a game of two halves, Manly should have led by more than a single Dylan Macallister goal at the break.

However a second half Blacktown resurgence saw the visitors pull one back through Giorgio Speranza, before almost snatching an unlikely victory.

In a high quality contest, both sides experienced lengthy periods of possession but were unable to effectively capitalise upon chances created.

Both clubs are now four weeks without a win, but were provided with plenty of positives to focus on heading into the business end of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season.

After a few early sighters from the home side sailed over the bar, their opener arrived after 19 minutes.

Kieren Paull, one of the standout performers of the afternoon, broke down the left and delivered a precise low cross into the path of Dylan Macallister.

The veteran calmly thumped the ball home from close range to give his side a deserved lead.

Manly were then inches away from extending their lead through two Mitchell Rooke set pieces.

The young midfielder, enjoying a rare start, rattled the crossbar with a thunderous 22nd minute free kick.

The youngster was then greeted with another dead ball opportunity five minutes later, but his effort escaped both the top right corner and a soaring Macallister.

Blacktown’s only real chance of the half arrived on 35 minutes courtesy of Joey Gibbs.

The striker’s header was not powerful enough to trouble Manly gloveman Dylan Mitchell, who was making his long-awaited return to first team action.

The second half began with Manly looking to pick up where they left off, through another prime set-piece opportunity.

Daniel Alessi rose highest from a Jamie Lobb corner, but was denied spectacularly by Tristan Prendergast.

However Manly’s stranglehold of the game began to loosen, and a tactical change from Mark Crittenden on the hour looked to turn the tide towards the visitors.

Defender Zac Cairncross was replaced by midfielder Mason Versi, as City switched from three to four at the back in an attempt to consolidate their growing foothold in the contest.

The alteration paid dividends, as the healthy Cromer Park crowd were silenced on 67 minutes.

After winning the ball high up the field, the visitors shifted the play swiftly towards the wing of Giorgio Speranza.

The left sided defender slotted home into the far corner, restoring parity in the process.

In what appeared an opposite reflection to the first half, it was now Blacktown City who camped themselves in an attacking position.

Gibbs almost nodded them into the lead with ten minutes remaining, before Speranza blazed a strong chance over the bar.

A fatigued Manly side almost nicked it themselves, but Brendan Cholakian’s last minute shot drifted to the wrong side of post.

Blacktown boss Mark Crittenden was pleased with the way his side responded to a disappointing first half:

“We were poor in the first half, credit to them,” he said.

“They were really good and totally outplayed us.

“We had a good chat, made a couple of little adjustments and I thought we created enough chances in the second half to probably come away with the three points.

“(When) you come to Manly it’s always very tough. They’re a good side, and we have to share the spoils.”

Paul Dee was similarly happy to focus on the positives:

“I thought we were really good in the first half,” Manly’s head coach said.

“We’ve had a few forced changes due to injury and that probably took its toll late in the game.

“(I) still thought we had a lot of chances to score and we played quite well against a very good side.

“For us to come here and put that amount of pressure on them, and create the amount of chances that we did, was very pleasing.

“Obviously we would have liked three points, but a hard fought draw against them (Blacktown City) is not bad at the same time.”

Match Stats Manly United 1  (Macallister 19′ )

Blacktown City 1  (G. Speranza 67’)

Saturday June 24, 2018

Cromer Park, Dee Why

Referee: K. Patterson

Assistant Referees: N. Bachon, H. White

Fourth Official: H. Cowwardine

Manly United: 1. Dylan Mitchell, 2. Kieren Paull, 3. Jamie Lobb, 4. Travis Oughtred,, 6. Dominic Ferguson, 8. Sasa Macura (7. Braden Cheng 80’), 9. Dylan Macallister (12. Leigh Egger 88’),10. Brendan Cholakian,, 13. Scott Balderson (5. Sam Wilson 65’), 14. Mitchell Rooke, 23. Daniel Alessi

Substitutes Not Used: 20. Shaun Catlin, 17. Gianni Stensness

Yellow Cards: Sasa Macura 7’, Brendan Cholakian 82’

Red Cards: Nil

Blacktown City: 1. Tristan Prendergast, 3. Giorgio Speranza, 4. Roberto Speranza, 5. Grant Lynch, 6. Matt Lewis, 7. Devante Clut, 8. Daniel Araujo (23. Daniel Bragg 65’), 9. Joey Gibbs, 10. Connor Evans, 19. Zac Cairncross (18. Mason Versi 60’), 22. Yianni Spyrakis

Substitutes not used: 17. Dakota Askew, 16. Mark Rodic, 20. Stevan Savicic

Yellow Cards: Daniel Araujo 42’, Grant Lynch 59’, Joey Gibbs 70’

Red Cards: Nil

-By National Premier Leagues NSW Reporter Chris Curulli