Blacktown City made to work as they knock out Hills
Blacktown City kept its pace with the league leaders as they defeated local rivals Hills United 2-0 in a gutsy performance at Landen Stadium on Saturday night.
Hills United FC held their local rivals to at bay in the first half and had their chances just after half-time but couldn’t convert. Their best chances fell to Thomas Lopez and Thomas Makko coming out of the break.
Jak O’Brien gave City the lead in the 66th minute then stalwart Travis Major confirmed the win with his 75th minute goal.
Blacktown City FC were on the charge from the opening whistle. Tyren Burnie sent in a cross which was cleared by the Hills United FC defence.
The visitors found plenty of joy from crosses into the box. Another one found Joey Gibbs who couldn’t stab it towards goal.
Hills United FC had their first opportunity in the 16th minute. Caleb Jackson-Brown strode into the box well before he cut it back for Lopez to sweep wide.
Danny Choi looked to create a spark for Blacktown City FC. He tried to curl the ball twice towards goal but both times it fizzed wide.
Blacktown City FC had the best chance of the half in the 44th minute. Jak O’Brien broke the offside trap from a Major ball but the striker sent his shot wide.
Coming out of the break, Hills United FC had a pair of early shots. Lopez couldn’t pull the trigger then Makko fired wide.
Lopez almost opened the scoring in the 50th minute. He chested the ball then volleyed it over Blacktown City FC keeper Tristan Prendergast’s bar.
Blacktown City FC caught Hills United FC napping and almost pounced. Jak O’Brien broke free then sent it towards Mario Shabow who was denied by Hills United FC stopper Ryan Wood.
The visitors went close again from a set piece. Gibbs nodded on the Shabow free-kick then Choi whistled it past the left post.
Blacktown City FC made it 1-0 in the 66th minute. A teasing cross found the head of Jak O’Brien who nodded home.
They doubled their delight in the 75th minute. It was a quick passing move inside the box finished off by Major for 2-0.
Substitute Lachlan Henderson almost put a third on a plate for Blacktown City FC. His cross found Gibbs again but he craned his neck wide.
Post match, Hills United FC coach Luke Casserly remained upbeat as he reflected on the loss for his side.
“It has been a similar pattern for us against the top teams in the previous weeks where we have had our moments but can’t convert.
“We had a dominant period early in the second half but couldn’t find the net.
“We are where we are and respect everyone but if we repeat these performances in the next few weeks, we can pick up some wins.” said Casserly.
For Blacktown City FC coach Mark Crittenden, he stressed how important the three points were in what’s been a tough period for the proud club.
“It was a tough battle, they set up well and we needed one to get the result.
“We got that and rode out the wave they had early in the second half.
“We’re battling for troops currently but we put 11 out to get a result and look to do the same next week.” said Crittenden.
Match Stats
Saturday 18 May 2024
Landen Stadium
Referee: Brodie Merchant
Assistant Referees: Charlotte Flynn & James Makris
Fourth Official: Hayden Kaye
Hills United FC 0
Blacktown City FC 2 (J O’Brien ’66 Major ‘75)
Hills United FC: 1. Ryan Wood, 5. Daniel Petkovski, 11. Anthony Frangie, 12. Jordan Lane (14. Samuel O’Connor ’80), 13. Cameron Philp (10. Jamal Belkadi ’77), 15. Noah Casserly, 17. Caleb Jackson-Brown, 19, Glen Kelshaw (9. Yu Okubo ’69), 20. Thomas Lopez (24. Sunday Yona ’69), 26. Thomas Makko, 27. Nicolai Muller (7. Wade Giovenali ’77)
Unused subs: 21. Emlyn Cross
Yellow cards: O’Connor ‘88
Red cards: nil
Blacktown City FC: 1. Tristan Prendergast, 5. Grant Lynch, 7. Travis Major, 8. Jak O’Brien (42. Lachlan Henderson ’74), 10. Mario Shabow, 11. Danny Choi (17. Martin Fernandez ’67), 12. Tyren Burnie, 16. Ben Berry, 18. Nicholas O’Brien, 22. Jacob Maniti, 23. Joey Gibbs
Unused subs: 20. Cayden Henderson, 29. Zachary Butler, 43. Riley Nolan, 53. Yusei Miki
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings
3: Travis Major (BCFC)
2: Mario Shabow (BCFC)
1: Ryan Wood (HFC)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
