Spirit Back In The Finals Hunt After Classy Blacktown City Win

NWS Spirit FC have reignited their finals hopes with a convincing 3-1 victory over Blacktown City at Christie Park on Saturday, moving to within four points of the Top Six with just three rounds remaining.

Callum Kealy’s first-half brace set the hosts on their way before Corey Kavanagh sealed the three points late, as Spirit returned to winning ways and continued their impressive home form.

The opening stages were dominated by the hosts, who repeatedly found ways through the Blacktown defence.

Corey Kavanagh’s deflected effort in the second minute had Blacktown goalkeeper Cooper Rogers beaten, only for the ball to drift narrowly wide.

Kosta Petratos then went close in the fifth minute, sending another effort just past the post as Spirit continued to apply pressure.

The hosts’ attacking intensity continued in the 10th minute, with Aiden Mostofi finding space but taking one touch too many.

Spirit soon made Blacktown pay, with Kealy scoring twice in six minutes to put the hosts 2-0 ahead.

The first came in the 15th minute after Caleb Jackson-Brown attempted to clear the danger, only to inadvertently return the ball straight to Kealy, who made no mistake from close range.

Blacktown almost responded when Travis Major forced Jay Coates into action, but Spirit immediately turned defence into attack.

Noah Peacock produced an excellent lay-off for Kealy, who finished confidently to complete his brace in the 21st minute.

Despite a strong spell from Blacktown afterwards, Spirit remained disciplined defensively and refused to allow the visitors back into the contest.

Jak O’Brien struggled to get his effort away cleanly in the 27th minute before Alou Kuol produced some excellent individual skill 11 minutes later, twisting and turning inside the area before seeing his effort denied by Coates.

Blacktown had another opportunity just before the break when Jackson-Brown broke forward and unleashed a powerful effort that rebounded off Kavanagh.

O’Brien then headed wide immediately after the restart as Blacktown’s frustration continued to grow.

The forward remained a constant threat, with Bradie Smith forced to intervene shortly afterwards to prevent him from getting a clean strike away.

Spirit looked to extend their advantage in the 53rd minute when Kavanagh’s powerful free-kick forced Rogers into a save.

Blacktown continued to search for a way back into the contest, but their finishing remained an issue.

Mitchell Mallia’s long-range free-kick in the 61st minute dipped over the crossbar as the visitors struggled to turn their attacking opportunities into goals.

However, Blacktown eventually found a way back into the contest in the 76th minute.

Major’s effort took a deflection that wrong-footed Coates and found the back of the net, reducing the deficit to 2-1.

Kuol then threatened again three minutes later, forcing Coates into another important save as Blacktown pushed for an equaliser.

Spirit ultimately put the result beyond doubt in the 86th minute.

A brilliant counter-attack starting inside their own half ended with Kavanagh producing a superb strike from outside the penalty area to make it 3-1.

The result keeps Spirit’s slim finals hopes alive and continues their impressive home form, with the victory their fourth in their last five matches at Christie Park.

For Blacktown City, it was a frustrating afternoon in which their finishing fell well below the standards they have shown throughout the season.

Ultimately, Spirit were worthy winners after controlling the contest from the opening whistle and producing the quality when it mattered most.

Match Stats

NWS Spirit 3 (Callum Kealy 15’, 21’, Corey Kavanagh 86’)

Blacktown City 1 (Travis Major 76’)

Saturday 08 August, 2026

Christie Park

Referee: Alexander Zastavnikovic

Assistant Referees: Isaac Riggs and Blake Eastwood

Fourth Official: Luke Chapman

NWS Spirit FC: 2.Aiden Mostofi, (3.Kyah Williams 75’), 4.Bradie Smith, 5.Owen Henderson, 6.Corey Kavanagh, 8.Grant Cornwell, 9.Callum Kealy, 10.Kosta Petratos, 12.Jay Coates, (15.Sam Armson 83’), 17.Riku Kobayashi, 18.Andre Takami, (19.Zayne Ahluwalia 83’), 21.Noah Peacock

Substitutes not used: 1.Christopher Marques, 26.Dominic Tedesco, 32.Thomas Mason, 40.Matthew Chitterer

Yellow cards: Owen Henderson 60’

Red cards: None

Blacktown City: 3.Lachlan Tilt, 4.Nicholas O’Brien, 6.Adam Berry, 7.Travis Major, 8.Jak O’Brien, (10.Maskim Jez 70’), 11.Kodai Tanaka, 14.Mitchell Mallia, 15.Caleb Jackson-Brown, (19.Sebastian Hayward 73’), 20.Cooper Rogers, 27.Nathan Grimaldi, 45.Alou Kuol

Substitutes not used: 1.Cayden Henderson, 12.Daniel McHugh, 22.Jacob Maniti, 24.Lachlan Henderson, 33.Sebastian Mileto

Yellow Cards: Nathan Grimaldi 55’

Red cards: None

-By Tobias Canning