Blacktown City made to work in Mariners victory
Blacktown City FC are back to winning ways after a 1-0 win over the Central Coast Mariners FC at a chilly and windy Landen Stadium.
Central Coast Mariners FC started off strong as Jai Rose attempted to get ahead early from a nicely placed corner, but it was ultimately sent out.
Blacktown City seemed to be hesitant in the opening minutes, getting used to the strong wind that was changing the game for both teams.
Mitch Mallia had his first shot at goal eight minutes in, shooting the ball straight into the arms of Joel Wade.
From there the Central Coast Mariners FC dominated much of the first 25.
Rose almost scored from a brilliant free kick just outside the box to the top corner of the goal but it was palmed over by Cayden Henderson.
Luca Pecora had another decent shot for the Central Coast Mariners but the wind picked it up and over the crossbar.
Blacktown City started to find their rhythm but a strong Central Coast Mariners back line kept the home team scoreless.
Mallia picked up the first booking of the match after a tough challenge, having already been spoken to by referee Mujtaba Ebrahimi.
With the scores locked at 0-0 ticking over into stoppage time, it was Mallia who broke the deadlock, picking up a brilliant cross into the box to find the back of the net and head into the sheds 1-0 up.
Blacktown City kept control to start the second half, spreading the ball around and maintaining possession.
The hosts were very quick in transition, with any attack coming from the Central Coast Mariners quickly turning into a Blacktown City opportunity.
Muginga Mpota had a decent chance midway through the half, breaking fast past the Blacktown City defence but pulled down by Travis Major.
Blacktown City then switched the Mariners corner into their own attack, with Danny Choi and Keanu Moore racing down the pitch, but the cross to Jarred McKinley went agonisingly wide.
Blacktown City drew out the remainder of the match and despite a very strong showing from the Central Coast Mariners, it was Blacktown City that claimed all three points.
Blacktown City coach Mark Crittenden said his team had more goals in them.
“Mitch Mallia had a couple of really good chances,” Crittenden said.
“I think we were pretty dominant in the first half and we lost a bit of momentum in the second, but I think the game just lost momentum.
“But the most important thing is that we got back on the horse, because we’ve been pretty poor this past month.”
Match Stats
Blacktown City FC 1 (Mitchell Mallia 45+2’)
Central Coast Mariners FC 0
Sunday June 8th, 2025
Landen Stadium, Seven Hills
Referee: Mujtaba Ebrahimi
Assistant Referees: Amber Morris and Arinath Gobinath
Fourth Official: Charbel Geha
Blacktown City FC: 1. Cayden Henderson (GK), 4. Lachlan Campbell, 5. Grant Lynch, 6. Adam Berry (10. Maksim Jez 68’), 7. Travis Major (c), 9. Keanu Moore, 11. Danny Choi (16. Benjamin Berry 82’), 14. Mitchell Mallia (3. Jarred McKinley 56’), 17. Martin Fernandez, 18. Nicholas O’Brien, 23. Jakob Cresnar
Substitutes Not Used: 15. Jesper Webber, 30. William Kinghan
Yellow Cards: Mitchell Mallia 41’
Red Cards: Nil
Central Coast Mariners FC: 2, Luca Pecora, 3. Michael Paragalli (c), 4. Rocco Smith, 5. Ben Mewett (22. Shumba Mutokoyi 77’), 10. Ayouk Mow (38. Harrison Jablonski 65’), 11. Jai Rose, 19. Prayaag Thapa 6. Jordan Small 65’), 21. Muginga Mpota (9. Ahmad Elhelou 61’), 23. Laurence Taylor (24. Kye Schumacher 61’), 39. Harper Ryles, 40. Joel Wade
Substitutes Not Used: 30. Jared Williams (GK)
Yellow Cards:
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Jai Rose (CCMFC)
2 – Danny Choi (Blacktown City)
1 – Jakob Cresnar (Blacktown City)
By Katrina May
