Sydney FC hold out Blacktown City in six-goal thriller
Sydney FC held out fifth placed Blacktown City to share the points in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Ilinden Sports Centre on Friday night to kick start round 29.
The Sky Blues had the game’s first chance in the opening minute, thankfully for Blacktown City FC it deflected out for a corner.
Blacktown City FC went close from a headed opportunity soon after. The visitors played around with the ball well then Lachlan Campbell nodded wide.
The visitors were having quite a bit of luck with free-kicks and Sydney FC were able to sweep them away early on.
Next, Grant Lynch produced a magic ball which fell right on the head of Campbell who craned his second header of the night wide.
Sydney FC found their rhythm and had another shot. Taye Headley flashing wide of the right post for the hosts.
Blacktown City FC made it 1-0 in the 28th minute as Maksim Jez crossed on towards Lynch who headed home for the visitors and his first goal of the 2025 campaign.
Mark Crittenden’s troops kept firing crosses into the box. Campbell found Jez inside the area and the striker volleyed wide.
Blacktown City FC went within inches of a two-goal lead soon after. A low cross fell to Sebastian Hayward who poked the ball straight at Sydney FC keeper Alexander Zaverdinos.
Lynch was in supreme form in the first half. He had another peach of pass that released Reuben Awaritefe but he touched it right to Zaverdinos.
Coming out of the break, Sydney FC levelled the game. Headley crossed in for Jordan Graoroski to take a touch and fire home for 1-1 in the 52nd minute.
The Sky Blues completed the turnaround in the 62nd minute to stun City. It was a slick move started by Graoroski which saw Lachlan Middleton fire home for 2-1.
Blacktown City FC found an instant reply from a set piece. Jacob Maniti put a corner right on the head of substitute Riley Nolan to thump home for 2-2 in the 64th minute.
It was déjà vu again from a corner to hand Blacktown City FC the advantage again in the 68th minute. Maniti curled in another strong set piece which Nolan headed home again for 3-2.
The visitors almost got themselves a two-goal cushion. Substitute Keanu Moore had a powerful shot which Zaverdinos repelled into the path of substitute Massimo Leoncinco who swept wide.
Sydney FC made it 3-3 in the 78th minute as Graoroski pounced on a loose ball inside the area and stroked home for his second of the evening.
The Blacktown City FC substitutes combined again late in the game. Nolan released Leoncinco who produced a strong save from Zaverdinos.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 89th minute. Nicholas O’Brien saw red for his second yellow card offence.
Sydney FC had one final chance in stoppage time. They put in a free-kick which fell to substitute Oscar Gultekin who prodded it right at Blacktown City FC shot stopper Cayden Henderson.
Post match Sydney FC manager Jimmy Van Weeren reflected on a gutsy performance from his young side.
“I think that game highlights that we need to work on set pieces, we conceded three goals from that area tonight.
“We were missing 14 players due to various reasons but it gave opportunities for the youngsters who showed character tonight.” said Van Weeren.
While for Blacktown City FC boss Mark Crittenden, the long serving coach was honest in his appraisal of his side in their draw.
“It was poor tonight, we were in a position to make it easy for ourselves.
“We conceded three goals again tonight.
“Yes, it is good to get finals but that’s not good enough.
“One positive was the work of our substitutes especially [Riley] Nolan in turning the game.” said Crittenden.
Match Stats
Sydney FC 3 (Graoroski ’52 ’78 L. Middleton ‘61
Blacktown City FC 3 (Lynch ’28 Nolan ’64 ‘68)
Friday 22 August 2025
Ilinden Sports Centre
Referee: Joel Crawford
Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields & Lara Hogan
Fourth Official: Marco Saalmans
Sydney FC: 4. Miles Milliner (22. Zac Fowler ’70), 6. Tyler Williams, 10. Taye Headley, 12. Alexander Zaverdinos, 14. Jared Middleton, 15. Samuel Lancaster (16. Oscar Gultekin ’87), 19. Jordan Graoroski, 21. Zachary De Jesus (17. Jacob Mclachlan ’70), 27. Lachlan Middleton (23. Junior Conde ‘83, 39. Dylan Rose, 47. Caelan Marshall-Witte
Unused subs: 1. Jacob Cremen-Cowan, 8. Reef Farias
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Blacktown City FC: 1. Cayden Henderson, 4. Lachlan Campbell, 5. Grant Lynch, 6. Adam Berry, 10. Maksim Jez (35. Riley Nolan ’62), 16. Benjamin Berry, 18. Nicholas O’Brien, 19. Sebastian Hayward (9. Keanu Moore ’62), 22. Jacob Maniti (34. Jake Briggs ’90), 23. Jakob Cresnar (24. Jackson Bandiera ’62), 25. Reuben Awaritefe (35. Massimo Leoncinco ’74)
Unused subs: 40. Cooper Rogers
Yellow cards: O’Brien ’56 Berry ‘87
Red cards: O’Brien ‘89
Player Ratings:
3: Grant Lynch (BLK)
2: Jordan Graoroski (SFC)
1: Riley Nolan (BLK)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
