Magic comeback as Blacktown City trump United 58

It was truly a tale of two halves as Blacktown City stunned Sydney United 58 with a 3-2 comeback win at Landen Stadium.

Both teams had their minds on early goals, with chances going on at both ends in the opening few minutes.

Sydney United 58’s Leroy Jennings, a former City player, had his defender beat just four minutes in, but his following shot went straight into Jackson Bandiera.

Another ex-Blacktown City man Mario Shabow was also impressive in his return to Landen after earning a starting position following Carlos De Oliviera’s red card last weekend.

It was Sydney United 58 who broke the deadlock after 20 minutes, with last week’s hattrick hero Patrick Antelmi delivering an awkwardly-angled cross to Mason Wells, who smashed it into the back of the net.

Blacktown City were trying their best to grab a goal of their own, with Danny Choi leading the charge in just his second start of the season.

But it was Sydney United 58 who bagged another goal, with Antelmi delivering a stunner past Cayden Henderson to double his side’s lead after 33 minutes.

Blacktown City had a good chance at goal to end the half following a yellow card to Jennings for tripping Nick O’Brien on the edge of the box, but the resulting free kick from Mitchell Mallia couldn’t find Major’s head.

The hosts came out in the second half a seemingly brand new team and took no time at all eliminating the goal deficit.

The comeback started with a yellow card for Sydney United 58’s Tariq Maia for a foul on Choi, leading to a Blacktown free kick just outside the box.

Jak O’Brien’s cross found Major through the Sydney United 58 defence to bring one back and leaving the visitors with questions on their back line.

Jak O’Brien then set up the equaliser, with his cross finding Lachlan Campbell to bring Blacktown City level at 2-2 just six minutes into the second half.

The second half was much more physical than the first, with six yellow cards handed out compared to the two in the opening 45.

It came to a catalyst in the 66th minute as Sydney United 58’s Liam McGing was called for a foul in the box on Lachlan Campbell, handing Blacktown City a penalty.

After his two stunning assists early in the half, it was finally time for Jak O’Brien to record his own goal, sending keeper Tristan Prendergast the wrong way to put the home team in front 3-2.

The final 25 minutes were just as contentious as the opening to the half and it was a surprise that no player earned himself a second yellow.

Blacktown City coach Mark Crittenden said coming from behind has been a far too regular occurrence for his side this season.

“That’s been the story of our season,” Crittenden said.

“We just keep doing poor turnovers or we’re making poor errors and they cost us, we’re forever chasing games because we keep making silly mistakes.

“But to their credit they got it done.”

Match Stats

Blacktown City FC 3 (Travis Major 48’, Lachlan Campbell 51’, Jak O’Brien 67’ (penalty))

Sydney United 58 2 (Mason Wells 19’, Patrick Antelmi 33’)

Sunday 27th April 2025

Landen Stadium, Seven Hills

Referee: Danny Horstead

Assistant Referees: Thomas Dale and Alexandar Zastavnikovic

Fourth Official: Rowan Fisher

Blacktown City FC: 1. Cayden Henderson (GK), 4. Lachlan Campbell, 7. Travis Major (c) (3. Jarred McKinley 82’), 8. Jak O’Brien, 11. Danny Choi (25. Dimo Dimo 75’), 14. Mitchell Mallia, 16. Benjamin Berry (19. Sebastian Hayward 45’), 17. Martin Fernandez (10. Maksim Jez 57’), 18. Nicholas O’Brien, 23. Jakob Cresnar, 24. Jackson Bandiera

Substitutes Not Used: 20. Zac Bowling (GK)

Yellow Cards: Martin Fernandez 9’, Nicholas O’Brien 61’, Jackson Bandiera 72’, Sebastian Hayward 74’, Maksim Jez 94’

Red Cards: Nil

Sydney United 58: 1. Tristan Prendergast, 3 Bailey Rule (22. Stephan De Robillard 70’), 4. Adrian Vlastelica, 8. Mario Shabow (16. Anthony Krillic 70’), 9. Patrick Antelmi, 11. Matthew Hatch, 14. Liam McGing, 15. Tariq Maia (43. Michael Pratezina 79’), 17. Michael Glassock, 23. Mason Wells (19. Aidan Milicevic 70’), 32. Leroy Jennings (13. Alessandro Laclandra 86’)

Substitutes Not Used: 

Yellow Cards: Leroy Jennings 45’, Tariq Maia 47’, Matthew Hatch 64’,

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Danny Choi (Blacktown)

2 – Jak O’Brien (Blacktown)

1 – Matthew Hatch (SU58)

By Katrina May (katrinaa_mayy)