NWS Spirit FC no match for relentless Blacktown City
Blacktown City FC have claimed an unanswerable 3-1 victory over NWS Spirit FC in Round 13 of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW Competition at Landen Stadium.
Prior to their matchup, there was a moments silence and applause for recently deceased Blacktown City council mayor Tony Bleasdale who was a long-time supporter of Blacktown City FC as well as football – the entire Football NSW community sends its deepest condolences to the Bleasdale family.
Both rivals weren’t afraid to exchange barbs as on the two-minute mark it was Ollie Wiggin who was placed under immense pressure, as he had to shield the ball away from danger in his own half. Grant Lynch, just minutes later, was impeded and charged upon also, as the defender was forced to head the ball away from danger.
The 18-minute mark is when the affair saw sparks fly as Jak O’Brien bagged an impressive eleventh strike of the season. He took several strides forward before unleashing the ball from long-range into the back of the net, as Christopher Marques couldn’t reach the ‘absolute flyer’ on time.
O’Brien was then presented with a great opportunity to double his tally eleven minutes later, however he skied his attempt high.
And that amiss chance proved somewhat costly as 39 minutes in, it was Jacob Chidiac who after the pass into the box caught both teams by surprise rifled it in, as Tristan Prendergast was caught flat-footed.
The twists and turns weren’t over with as a sensational 45th minute effort from Tyren Burnie saw him loop the ball over and in past a stunned Marques to hand Blacktown back the advantage headed into half-time.
Four-minutes into the second half and the hosts were at it again as a smartly placed pass along the ground from Danny Choi left Mitchell Mallia with a tasty pass to chomp down onto which he scored with ease. As Blacktown continued to build with brilliant passes and sharp finishes.
In the 58th minute it appeared that Chidiac was going to peg the margin back to one after he latched onto an askew kick leaving him with only Pendergast to beat, but he couldn’t convert as his attempt landed straight into the keeper’s clutched and relieved arms.
NWS Spirit weren’t deterred to keep pressing as eight-minutes later a fast and powerful free kick attempt from close-range via Richard Darko had to be headed away from goals by Ben Berry.
The game slowly fizzed out as Blacktown City celebrated yet another solid victory at their Landen Stadium fortress.
Match Stats
Blacktown City FC 3 (Jak O’Brien 18’, Tyren Burnie 45’, Mitchell Mallia 49’)
NWS Spirit FC 1 (Jacob Chidiac 39’)
Saturday 04 May, 2024
Landen Stadium, Seven Hills
Referee: Ivica Covic
Assistant Referees: Thomas Dale and Arinath Gobinath
Fourth Official: Liam Smith
Blacktown City FC: 1.Tristan Prendergast, 5.Grant Lynch, 6.Adam Berry, 7.Travis Major, 8.Jak O’Brien, (9.Reuben Awaritefe 90’), 11.Danny Choi, 12.Tyren Burnie, (14.Mitchell Mallia 46’), 16.Ben Berry, (17.Martin Fernandez 71’), 18.Nicholas O’Brien, 22.Jacob Maniti, 23.Joey Gibbs
Substitutes Not Used: 20.Cayden Henderson, 52.Teng Athian
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
NWS Spirit FC: 1.Christpopher Marques, 3.Kyle Shaw, 7.Richard Darko, 8.Grant Cornwell, (Michael Konestabo 56’), 11.Ollie Wiggin, 13.Simon Nicholas, 16.Ante Bakmaz, 17.Jacob Chidiac, 19.Jesse Michel, 20.Jared Lum, 21.Luiz Lobo, (34.Noah Peacock 87’)
Substitutes Not Used: 14.Jacob Sullivan, 18.Zachary Cianci, 31.Joel Wade, 36.Kyah Williams
Yellow Cards: (Kyle Shaw 50’)
Red Cards: None
Player Ratings:
3 – Jak O’Brien (BC)
2 – Tristan Prendergast (BC)
1 – Danny Choi (BC)
-By Tobias Canning
