Mariners in trouble as Blacktown City prove too strong
Blacktown City had a successful trip up to Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon, securing a convincing 4-1 victory over the Central Coast Mariners.
Two goals to Mitchell Mallia, one to Travis Major and one to Danny Choi for Blacktown City trumped Central Coast’s one goal from Luca Pecora to take three points on the Coast.
It was a consistent performance from the visitors to secure their first victory of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 2025 seasons, while the hosts will enter Round 4 searching for their first point in the competition.
There was plenty movement around the park in the first quarter of play, but it was Blacktown City who broke ahead in the 22nd minute.
Mallia burst forward in to the area and took on the Mariners defence to send his shot past ‘keeper Jack Warshawsky and into the netting.
The hosts had a promising chance to even the score in the 38th minute as Blacktown defender Lachlan Campbell missed his touch on the ball, leaving Arthur De Lima with possession with a quick play to Jai Rose.
Rose tried his lucky, however Cayden Henderson defended well, denying the Mariners the opportunity before the half-time break.
Blacktown City were quick to act in the second stanza, doubling their lead in the 48th minute.
Jacob Cresnar started the goal-scoring play, passing to Mallia whose cross met Major.
Major confidently knocked the ball over the line to cooly extend the lead for the visitors.
Rose tried his luck to get the hosts on the scoreboard in the 53rd minute, sending a shot firing towards the goal, however Henderson confidently denied.
After continued perseverance, the Mariners made their way onto the scoreboard in the 64th minute.
Pecora tried his luck at a shot from outside the 18-yard box, however his effort was blocked by Blacktown’s Nicholas O’Brien.
Pecora pounced on the rebound and continued pushing forward, tapping the ball past Henderson to score the first of the match for the hosts.
The high didn’t last long for the young Mariners as Blacktown retaliated to net their third of the match in the 67th minute.
Cresnar took possession around the half-way line and played the ball forward to Major.
Major quickly played to an on-running Mallia who used his experience to cleanly take his tally to two with a third goal for the visitors.
A fourth came for Blacktown City in the 79th minute, as substitutes Martin Fernandez and Maksim Jez combined to set up Choi for the goal.
Jez took possession near the halfway mark, stripping the ball from the Mariners to commence the play.
He passed promptly to Fernandez who played a lovely ball forward for Choi to send it straight into the netting without hesitation.
The visitors nearly netted a fifth in the 89th minute as Jez tried to knock home a header was denied.
The substitute chased the ball looking for another chance but was unable to convert, leaving the match to finish up 4-1 to Blacktown City.
Most National Premier Leagues NSW fans will know long-standing legend of the Blacktown City family, Matt Lewis. The Lewis family is currently going through a challenging time as their son Alby is undergoing treatment for recently diagnosed Acute Lymphoblastic Lukemia.
While the Lewis’ support Alby through his treatment, you can support the Lewis’ through the GoFundMe link here: https://gofund.me/e799c2da.
Match Stats
Central Coast Mariners FC 1 (Luca Pecora 64’)
Blacktown City FC 4 (Mitchell Mallia 22’, 67’, Travis Major 48’, Choi 79’)
Sunday 23 February, 2025
Pluim Park, Lisarow
Referee: Joel Crawford
Assistant Referees: Amirhossein Hosnani and Jasper White
Fourth Official: Kyle Hocking
Central Coast Mariners FC: 2. Luca Pecora (14. Angus Reid 81’), 3. Michael Paragalli, 4. Rocco Smith, 5. Ben Mewett, 7. Ayouk Mow (23. Laurence Taylor 81’), 8. Lucas Scicluna, 10. Arthur De Lima (17. Jesse Mantell 71’), 11. Jai Rose, 19. Prayaag Thapa (24. Kye Schumacher 63’), 30. Jack Warshawsky, 37. Bailey Brandtman (21. Muginga Mpota 63’)
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Joel Wade
Yellow Cards: Thapa 38’, Rose 54’
Red Cards: Nil
Blacktown City FC: 1. Cayden Henderson, 3. Jarred McKinley, 4. Lachlan Campbell, 6. Adam Berry, 7. Travis Major (22. Jacob Maniti 76’), 8. Jak O’Brien (11. Danny Choi 66’), 9. Keanu Moore (10. Maksim Jez 73’), 14. Mitchell Mallia (17. Martin Fernandez 73’), 16. Benjamin Berry, 18. Nicholas O’Brien, 23. Jakob Cresnar
Substitutes Not Used: 19. Sebastian Hayward, 20. Zac Bowling
Yellow Cards: Nicholas O’Brien 25’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Mitchell Mallia (BC)
2 – Jacob Cresnar (BC)
1 – Travis Major (BC)
-By Madeline Riley
