Prendergast believes in Blacktown City hopes

After a valuable stint with Sydney FC during the offseason, Tristan Prendergast is back on board with Blacktown City whose 2020 National Premier Leagues NSW campaign is off to a flying start.

The 24-year-old has been a key cog of a defensive unit which have held solid to keep consecutive clean sheets during Blacktown’s back-to-back 1-0 triumphs over Sydney United 58 and Manly United.

The goalkeeper’s outstanding performance first up at Lily Holmes Stadium earned him a spot in the Round 1 Ultra Football Team of the Week, before he backed it up with some vital stops during Saturday night’s triumph on the Northern Beaches.

“As a keeper I’m buzzing to start the season with two clean sheets,” he reflected.

“Credit to the boys in the back four who have limited the chances of two good teams.

“Going two from two in that way is a perfect way to start the season.”

Mark Crittenden has overseen an immense transformation in personnel and style over the past couple of seasons, and Prendergast revealed an air of confidence that has been instilled within a squad more than capable of grinding out narrow victories.

“It’s been good to keep most of the boys from last year after a big turnover the year before,” he said.

“We’ve developed a real sense of camaraderie which has shown in our performances this season.

“We have had to dig deep to grind out wins but at the end of the day if that’s what we have to do we will take the three points.”

Back in September, Prendergast signed with Sydney FC on a short-term deal and was a member of their squad in the FFA Cup and round one of the A-League.

The Blacktown man spent some valuable time in training with Sydney’s experienced goalkeeper coach Matthew Nash alongside Socceroo Andrew Redmayne and Young Socceroo Tom Heward-Belle.

“It was an incredible experience for me,” Prendergast recalled.

“The boys were fantastic there with how they took me in straight away.

“Just to be around Redders (Andrew Redmayne) and Matt Nash so often and to train at their level was a great experience for me to continue growing my game.

“And now I’m back Blacktown and ready to continue where we left off last season.”

Prendergast made clear Blacktown’s sights are set firmly on silverware in 2020.

“As a team we want to win everything. It’s been a few years and since we won a trophy and we believe we are in it to win it this year.

“For me personally all I’m worried about it doing my job by keeping as many clean sheets as possible.”

-By Chris Curulli