Blacktown City thunderstruck by ruthless NWS Spirit FC
NWS Spirit FC took out an enticing National Premier League Men’s NSW clash prevailing 4-1 over Blacktown City at Christie Park on Saturday evening.
The first half of this clash was a great showcase of NPL Men’s NSW football with two well match sides both going at it at either end.
Travis Major gave the visitors the lead after the quarter hour before Yu Okubo and Michael Konestabo responded with goals for the hosts. Takumi Ofuka and Austin Oates added a third and fourth goal for the Spirit late on.
Blacktown City scored with pretty much their first chance of the game through Major just after ten minutes.
Major arrived at the back post opportunistically to turn the ball home on the stretch. His long term counterpart in attack Danny Choi providing the assist with a ball from the left wing.
Spirit responded in kind with a goal of their own before the half hour. A cutting ball out to the left wing triggered a flowing move with Ofuka slipping in Simon Nicholas who squared it to Okubo who opened the scoring for the hosts.
David Perkovic’s men added another to complete the turnaround just before the half time whistle. Michael Konestabo bundling the ball home from close range after they broke down the left once again. Yu Okubo turning provider for the second.
It didn’t slow down chance wise after the break with chances at either end. Half chances falling the way of Choi under pressure on the volley in the 47th minute and Major who drew a save from Christopher Marques in the 50th for the visitors.
While Konestabo couldn’t find the back of the net at the other end in the same period.
The visitors best chance however came from Grant Lynch whose header was from a set piece just after the hour was headed off the line. City putting the hosts under significant pressure.
Marques denied Choi with a quarter of an hour remaining with a save down to his right.
However it was Spirit who sealed it in the 85th minute through Takumi Ofuka. Ofuka profiting from a dangerous Simon Nicholas ball.
A two goal lead was extended to three with Austin Oates scoring in the second half of injury time with his first touch of the game.
Post-match NWS Spirit FC head coach David Perkovic was delighted with the three points.
“I was really pleased with our performance after going a goal down.
“Blacktown Cityare a very strong side and they put a lot of pressure on us early in the second half but we found a way to score that third goal.”
Match Stats
NWS Spirit FC 4 (Okubo 28’, Konestabo 45+2’, Ofuka 85’, Oates 90+1’)
Blacktown City 1 (Major 17’)
Saturday 31st May, 2025
Christie Park, Macquarie Park
Referee: Ivica Covic
Assistant Referees: Amber Morris & Blake Eastwood
Fourth Official: Thomas Dale
NWS Spirit: 1. Christopher Marques, 3. Kyah Williams, 4. Bradie Smith (17 Jacob Chidiac 86’), 7. Frankie Ljucovic, 8. Grant Cornwell, 9. Yu Okubo (20. Austin Oates 89’), 10. Michael Konestabo (21. Harry Keys 78’), 13. Simon Nicholas (16. Charlie Broomhead 89’), 15. Jamie Percevski, 19. Zayne Ahluwalia, 22. Takumi Ofuka.(14. Marco Arambasic 86’)
Substitutes Not Used: 51. Christophe Chen
Yellow Cards: Nicholas 81’
Red Cards: Nil
Blacktown City: 1. Cayden Henderson, 3. Jared McKinley, 4. Lachlan Campbell (9. Keanu Moore 82’), 5. Grant Lynch, 6. Adam Berry (19. Sebastian Hayward 60’’), 7. Travis Major, 10. Maksim Jez,11. Seung Joo Choi, 16. Benjamin Berry, 17. Martin Fernandez (15. Jesper Webber 86’), 24. Jackson Bandiera (23. Jakob Cresnar 45’).
Substitutes Not Used: 40. Cooper Rogers, 25. Dimo Dimo.
Yellow Cards: Bandiera 38’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3- Yu Okubo (NWS)
2- Michael Konestabo (NWS)
1- Christopher Marques (NWS)
By Justin Smith
