Stallions make Blacktown City sweat
Blacktown City has avoided an embarrassing slip up with a hard fought 1-0 win against Marconi Stallions at Lily’s Football Centre.
It was a less than convincing performance from the PS4 National Premier League NSW Men’s 1 ladder leaders in windy conditions but the three points ensured the side remains at the top of the table.
It was a tentative start from Mark Crittenden’s side with as Blacktown struggled to find its feet in the opening stages.
A lack of intensity nearly cost the home side dearly after only five minutes.
Marconi’s Jacob Boutoubia who was unlucky not to capitalise on a loose defensive pass when his powerful shot hit the right upright after he intercepted a loose pass across the face of goal from Christos Tomaras.
It didn’t take long for Blacktown to fire back with a chance of its own.
Stallions’ keeper Sam Nastic spoiled a jinking Mitchell Mallia run in the ninth minute.
Blacktown slowly found its feet as the first half progressed but lacked the final pass to create any chances.
City goalkeeper Nenad Vekic was called on to make a rare save in the 37th minute when Milorad Simonovic unleashed a powerful shot on goal.
The half-time break couldn’t come quick enough for Blacktown, which desperately needed to regroup.
Blacktown looked refreshed at the start of the second half and pushed forward from the opening whistle.
A tireless effort from Travis Major proved fruitless as Marconi’s physical defence kept the marksman quiet.
It took until the 61st minute but the home side finally found a breakthrough.
Marconi midfielder Milorad Simonovic’s handball inside the penalty area provided Blacktown with a priceless opportunity.
Defender Matt Lewis wouldn’t let the chance pass and converted from the penalty spot.
It would’ve been 2-0 only moments later if not for the linesman’s flag.
Patrick Antelmi was ruled offside when he leapt above his defender to head the ball into the back of the net.
Sloppy ball movement cost Blacktown from extending their lead beyond 1-0.
A final long-range effort from Jacob Ott in the dying stages of the match caused a minor scare for the home fans but it wasn’t to be as Blacktown clung on until the final whistle.
Despite the result Crittenden was less than impressed with the performance.
“Awful is probably the best way to describe that match,” Crittenden said.
“You have these games throughout a season and thankfully we found a bit of luck to somehow take away the three points.
“The boys worked hard but we were very sloppy.”
Marconi coach Jeff Suzor said there were plenty of positives for his team to take from the match.
“We had spent all week working on pressing high up the pitch and it really nullified the Blacktown attack,” Suzor said.
“We were very unlucky to not leave this match with at least a point.
“Special mention must also go to Jack Press who played 60 minutes in the under 20’s match before backing up with another 70 minutes in first grade.
“His efforts alongside fellow young players Ryan Peterson, Blair Brown and Matt Stewart are a great sign of where the club is heading.”
Match Stats
Blacktown City 1 (Lewis 61’)
Marconi Stallions: 0
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Lily’s Football Centre, Seven Hills
Referee: Danny Horstead
Assistant Referees: Adam Vainauskas & Janush Adabjou
Fourth Official: Timothy Danaskos
Blacktown City: Vekic; Cairncross, Choi, Evans (Perkatis 60’), Fragogiannis, Lewis, Macura, Major (Grozanovski 79’), Mallia, Speranza, Tomaras (Antelmi 54’).
Substitutes: Araujo, Prendergast
Yellow Cards:
Marconi Stallions: Nastic; Appiah, Boutoubia, Nunes, Ott, Peterson, Press (Hadid 74’), Rhodes, Simonovic (Fitzpatrick 77’), Brown, Stewart.
Substitutes:, Thompson, Chianese, Sekutkoski
Yellow Cards: Rhodes 30’
– By Nicholas Houghton, PS4 NPL New South Wales Men’s 1 Reporter, at Lily’s Football Centre
