Blacktown City FC crowned 2022 NPL NSW Men’s Champions
Blacktown City have secured the 2022 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Championship with a 2-0 victory over Manly United in the Grand Final at CommBank Stadium on Saturday night in front of just under 4000 spectators.
After dropping the Premiership in the final match of the regular season, redemption came for Blacktown in the Grand Final as the Western Sydney outfit secured some silverware with a strong performance in the high-pressure match.
A first half goal to Blacktown’s Lachlan Campbell had City with the advantage heading into the break and a classy finish from Travis Major saw them double their lead as one of Blacktown’s favourite sons hit the incredible milestone of 100 goals for the club.
Jesse Piriz created the first real close call of the game in the 13th minute as he found some space and sent a shot from range towards the goal, however his effort slid just wide of the woodwork.
Manly came close in the 25th minute as James Oates got on the end of a ball from Thomas Fay inside the area, but his header was well defended by Dylan Niksi.
Blacktown had their chance in the 28th minute as Campbell received the ball in front of the goal but fell to the ground under the pressure of Oates.
Tensions flared in the aftermath as Jordan Smylie collided with Jack Greenwood, and the two came face to face, but referee Hassan Jomaa managed to get the situation under control quickly.
The Western Sydney side managed to earn a dangerous free kick minutes later but they couldn’t capitalise on the goal-scoring opportunity.
They did however make the most of their next opportunity, opening the scoring in the 32nd minute.
Travis Major sent a ball into the area to an on-running Campbell, who tapped the ball into the net as he slid past the goal.
After earning a free kick in the perfect position in the 37th minute, Manly’s Matt Sim sent the ball soaring above the goal as Manly searched for an equaliser.
Kristian Santich looked like he was going to equalise as he fired a powerful strike towards the target from range in the 39th minute, but Niski defended well.
Manly found the back of the net in the 49th minute as Bruno Mendes fired towards goal, but the ball hit Oates’ hand on the way and, after conferring with assistant referee Emma Kocbek, Jomaa called a hand ball.
Lucas Rainbird fired from range in the 62nd minute, with his effort flying just high off the crossbar, but the ball came off Blacktown’s defence to give Manly a corner.
A 70th minute run from Jesse Piriz almost saw Manly equalise as substitute Dejan Pandurevic sent a ball through Blacktown’s defence to the winger, but Niski was able to block his shot and keep the lead for Blacktown.
Blacktown were able to double their advantage in the 83rd minute and put themselves in a great position to seal the win.
Major ran away with a ball from the midfield and placed a well-timed shot past Alen Aganovic and Jack Greenwood to take Blacktown’s tally to two.
Substitute Danny Choi had an opportunity in the 92nd minute but after weaving his way through Manly’s defence, was just off target with his shot.
Blacktown Coach Mark Crittenden was thrilled his side was able to secure the Grand Final victory, particularly after an unfinished season last year.
“We’ve had a pretty big two years and I think they thoroughly deserved something last year and COVID hit,” he explained.
“We started slow and mid year we really hit our straps and look, they’re a really good football team, we know that, and more importantly they’re a great bunch of lads and they thoroughly deserved what they won today.
“Grand Finals are always pretty average games of footy.
“I’ve watched a lot over the years and they’re never pretty games of football, both teams are trying not to lose and you’re trying to win.
“I don’t think it was a great game to watch but it was exciting and Manly took it to us in the second half big time and we were resilient, then a wonderful goal by Trav [Travis Major] to get to 100 for the club, and now we’ll go and celebrate.”
Match Stats
Manly United FC 0
Blacktown City FC 2 (Campbell 32’, Major 83’)
Sunday 27th August, 2022
CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
Referee: Hassan Jomaa
Assistant Referees: Cameron Wright and Emma Kocbek
Fourth Official: Michael Weiner
Manly United FC: 3. Jesse Piriz, 4. James Oates, 5. Thomas Fay (14. Dejan Pandurevic 60’), 7. Seiya Kambayashi, 8. Dominic Ferguson (9. Benjamin Koop 77’), 11. Matthew Sim, 13. Kristian Santich, 18. Lucas Rainbird (17. Daniel Fabrizio 85’), 19. Alen Aganovic, 20. Jack Greenwood, 22. Bruno Mendes
Substitutes Not Used: 6. James Georgaklis, 10. Luca Kmet, 42. Hugo McKay
Yellow Cards: Mendes 64’, Oates 83’,Piriz 91’
Red Cards: Nil
Blacktown City FC: 3. Daniel Collins, 4. Lachlan Campbell, 5. Grant Lynch, 7. Travis Major, 10. Mario Shabow (45. Danny Choi 90’), 16. Ben Berry (12. Tyren Burnie 60’), 19. Adam Berry (8. Jak O’Brien 77’), 24. Jackson Bandiera, 32. Hirokai Aoyama (6. Matthew Lewis 90’), 40. Dylan Niski, 89. Jordan Smylie (11. Mitchell Mallia 60’)
Substitutes Not Used: 30. Alexander Robinson
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Robbie Slater Man of the Match: Travis Major
NPL NSW Grand Final Player Ratings
Manly United
Jack Greenwood: 6.5/10 A tough ask at his back post for the opening goal. Was good otherwise and was sound with what was given to him as he did his bit that kept Manly in the match on certain occasions.
Jesse Piriz: 6.5/10 Was solid at the back and did what’s he’s done for the entire year and played consistently with sheer aggression.
James Oates: 8/10 The Manly skipper was ever-present at the back and moved the ball progressively. Went from winning many trademark aerial duels to almost scoring himself, one player that’s had an amazing 2022 season and was one of today’s standouts.
Thomas Fay: 6/10 An unspectacular yet solid display. Withdrawn at the hour mark, could have gotten himself more involved but did what he could.
Seiya Kambayashi: 7/10 Looked dangerous at times down the right, could’ve scored late in the second half and was always dangerous for Manly – played with an ankle injury, could have been used a little more by his teammates but his work rate was there to be seen by all.
Dominic Ferguson: 7/10 Did his job winning a few duels in the middle of the park and again played the tough tackling midfielder for Manly which he does ever so well. Didn’t distribute too badly either before being substituted in the second half.
Matthew Sim: 6/10 Suffered from a lack of service in the first half. Was livelier in the second half but couldn’t create anything of substance – a little more was expected from Simmy but it was a huge day for the former A-League star who backed up from coaching his Sydney FC 20s to glory.
Kristian Santich: 7.5/10 A lively performance in the midfield. Made number of crucial tackles throughout the match and looked to get his side on the front foot. Sign of bigger things to come from this young Western Australian star.
Lucas Rainbird: 6/10 Struggled to stamp his authority on the match the way he would have liked to but nonetheless did what he could for Adam Griffiths squad.
Alen Aganovic: 7/10 A tidy performance by the towering defender, battled well and was also an attacking threat on many set piece occasions for Manly.
Burno Mendes: 7/10 Had similar issues to the rest of his fellow attackers in the first half, had a goal ruled out just after the break, Showed his master class on a number of occasions but failed to deliver that Mendes magic the club and fans would have loved to have seen at CommBank today.
Dejan Pandurevic: 6/10 Came on for the final 30 minutes. Looked promising and was full of energy and running.
Benjamin Koop: 5.5/10 Was unable to ignite anything off the bench for the side.
Blacktown City
Dylan Niski: 7/10 Called into action several times in the second half. Protected Blacktown’s lead well.
Daniel Collins: 7.5/10 Defended well. Answered all the questions that were asked of him and showed why he played a key role in the club’s defence line all year.
Lachlan Campbell: 8/10 Scored the side’s opening goal and marshalled the right side of the defence well.
Grant Lynch: 7.5/10 Worked ever so hard in the middle of the defence. Repelled Manly’s attacking efforts competently and kept a clean sheet which was something he has done with aplomb all year. Was the stand in skipper for Matty Lewis and performed very well.
Travis Major: 9/10 Doubled the side’s lead late in the second half with a strong display overall. Presented with the Man of the Match and was always a thorn in Manly’s backside. Played a true Major match which also saw him turn creator for City’s first with a lovely dink.
Mario Shabow: 7.5/10 Stepped up to the occasion in the first half, willing to receive the ball and win it back as well as earning a couple of fouls. Continued that trend in the second half.
Ben Berry: 7/10 A powerful performance in the heart of the City defence. Looked assured and stepped in when needed.
Adam Berry: 7/10 Got through some running in the match and did very well considering an injury cloud was hanging over his head. Played with a lot of heart but ran out of steam in the second half.
Jackson Bandiera: 7/10 A steady influence on the team and once again showed his consistency for City.
Hiroaki Aoyama: 7.5/10 A productive presence in the attack. Complimented the others well and was one of City’s main creators during the match.
Jordan Smylie :7/10 A real menace for Manly in the first half and almost scored with a close-range header. Substituted at the hour.
Tyren Burnie: 6.5/10 Did okay for the final half-an-hour, saw out the win for Blacktown.
Mitchell Mallia: 7/10 A lively appearance off the bench for the forward and was a positive influence.
