Blacktown City defeat Mt Druitt in fiery clash

Tempers flared at Popondetta Park as Blacktown City secured a 3-2 win over crosstown rivals Mt Druitt Town Rangers.

Tensions were high from kick off and didn’t take long to blow over. Blacktown’s Nick O’Brien picked up an early yellow card for a tough tackle on Alex Trajanovski which the Mt Druitt quickly took issue with, with the small skirmish that followed resulting in a yellow card for Zac Sfiligoi, as well as a ripped shirt.

Mitchell Mallia was in red hot form for Blacktown, with his first chance coming around 12 minutes in from a fantastic Jak O’Brien through ball, but keeper Dylan Niski had him covered.

Blacktown City coach Mark Crittenden was forced into an early change as veteran Grant Lynch was unable to overcome an ankle injury picked up off the ball, with Jackson Bandiera taking his place after 23 minutes.

After a tense back-and-forth, it was the home side that finally broke the deadlock. Under plenty of pressure, Pedrinho produced a magical pass through the Blacktown City defence to Caleb Jackson-Brown who slipped around the keeper for the first goal.

But the visitors worked best under pressure and took no time at all levelling the scores.

Nick O’Brien’s hit a short free kick to Mallia, whose resulting shot slipped past Niski off the side post for a 1-1 score.

Blacktown City kept the pressure up and were determined to take the lead into the sheds.

It was once again Mitch Mallia who was the difference, producing a chip over the Mt Druitt custodian to snatch a 2-1 lead at the break.

Mt Druitt came out of the sheds firing and only took 10 minutes to once again level the scores.

Theph Theph was the one to find the equaliser, with his head finding the ball after a scramble in the box to go 2-2.

But once again, Blacktown City did their best work under pressure.

After multiple aborted corners, Mallia struck his ball straight into the path of Lachlan Campbell for an easy header and a 3-2 advantage.

Blacktown City kept the momentum going through the rest of the half, scarcely giving Mt Druitt any opportunities at their own goal.

Mt Druitt’s fight to take home at least a point took a hit in the final 10 minutes as a silly foul off the ball from Sfiligoi saw him receive a second yellow and an early exit to the sheds.

Blacktown City coach Mark Crittenden said it was a hard fought three points in what was a proper derby match.

“We knew it’d be a tough one,” Crittenden said.

“We probably weren’t at our best at times, but I thought we battled hard.

“Having those two early subs made it hard, so we had to manage that with only one (substitution window) left.”

Mt Druitt coach Andrew Montgomery noted his frustration in not being able to secure all three points at home.

“I think there were moments in the game that didn’t go our way,” Montgomery said.

“I think we created more opportunities in the first half and probably could have gone into the half two or three up.”

Match Stats

Mt Druitt Town Rangers 2 (Caleb Jackson-Brown 31’, Theph Theph 55’)

Blacktown City FC 3 (Mitchell Mallia 36’, 45+1, Lachlan Campbell 66’)

Saturday 19th April 2025

Popondetta Park, Emerton

Referee: Craig Fisher

Assistant Referees: Mitchell Renton and Isaac Riggs

Fourth Official: 

Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC: 1. Dylan Niski (c), 2. Alexander Trajanoski (22. Jude Rankin 74’), 4. Zac Sfiligoi, 5. Theph Theph, 6. Jared Macerola (99. Rocco Fragale 81’), 7. Garang Awac (32. Jordi Fulete 78’), 9. Joseph Gibbs, 10. Joao Pedro Oliveira Santos, 11. John Azar, 15. Caleb Jackson-Brown, 21. William Rankin (27. Shayden Sampow 74’)

Substitutes Not Used:

Yellow Cards: Zac Sfiligoi 7’, Alexander Trajanoski 35’, William Rankin 70’, John Azar 72’, Joseph Gibbs 85’, Jordi Fulete 88’

Red Cards: Zac Sfiligoi 84’

Blacktown City FC: 1. Cayden Henderson (GK), 4. Lachlan Campbell, 5. Grant Lynch (24. Jackson Bandiera 23’), 7. Travis Major (c), 8. Jak O’Brien (9. Keanu Moore 82’), 14. Mitchell Mallia (11. Danny Choi 82’), 16. Benjamin Berry, 17. Martin Fernandez (10. Maksim Jez 82’), 18. Nicholas O’Brien, 22. Jacob Maniti (19. Sebastian Hayward 37’), 23. Jakob Cresnar

Substitutes Not Used: 

Yellow Cards: Nicholas O’Brien 7’, Mitchell Mallia 57’, Keanu Moore 83’, Maksim Jez 87’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Mitchell Mallia (Blacktown)

2 – Joao Pedro Oliveira Santos (Mt Druitt)

1 – Lachlan Campbell (Blacktown)

-By Katrina May