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The return of the Major set to spark Blacktown City

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Travis Major marked his return to the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition with a hat-trick on the weekend, making a big statement of his intentions after rejoining Blacktown City for the remainder of the 2022 season.

Having spent some time with RoundGlass Punjab in the I-League, Major had an interesting experience in India with heavy restrictions due to Covid, but was excited to return to Blacktown.

“I’ve done a few times before so I’m used to coming back and having a bit of an offseason and then getting back into it,” Major said of returning to the NPL NSW Men’s competition.

“I’ve been back for about five weeks now and had a two-week break in Bali as well, just to have some freedom because I was in a quarantine bubble the whole time I was in India for eight months so I didn’t really have any freedom, so it was nice.

“I didn’t really get to experience India as a whole because for the eight months, we were in a hotel quarantine bubble the whole time so the only way we could leave the hotel was for training or a game.

“I didn’t really get to experience any of the culture, but the football was definitely different.

“It was so hot and humid when we played that the tempo was a lot slower so that took some time to get used to but it was a good experience all in all.”

When it was time to return to Australia, there was no doubt that he would play for Blacktown City, with a long history and strong connection to the club.

“The only team I’d play for the NPL is Blacktown – everyone probably knows that by now,” Major said.

“I’ve got such a close relationship with the club and Critto [Mark Crittenden] being my stepdad, it’s a pretty seamless thing to go straight into, he’d probably kill me if I went elsewhere.

“It’s always Blacktown for me in the NPL and they’ve always got that relationship with me that they say if anything comes up at a higher level, you can go the next day.

“They’ve never held me back and they’ve done that three or four times now.

“It’s always good to have such a close relationship with them where they do what’s best for me and obviously I’m always doing my best when I’m playing for them.”

Speaking of the support Blacktown City has shown him, Major said the club is supportive of everyone when they have an opportunity to play the next level of football.

“Critto is the first one to say, ‘you’ve got to go for it, if this is what you want to do go for it and there’s always a spot back here for you’, because no one ever really leaves on bad terms.

“If anyone ever comes back, the door’s always open for them and it’s always been like that for me as well.”

The culture at Blacktown is something the players and staff often speak of, with a strong team mentality the cornerstone of their success over the years, and Major said it hasn’t changed since he first joined the team.

“I came in 2010, that was my first year and there were senior boys at that time who had that culture down pat, and then by the time myself and Zach Cairncross and Matt Lewis were 23 to 24, they had taken off and then we kept that culture going, and then any of the new boys that have come in have just kept it up,” he said.

“Lynchy [Grant Lynch], Daniel Collins, Lewy [Matt Lewis] and Tristan [Prendergast] are still there and they carry on that culture and anyone that comes in gets introduced to it and it’s sink or swim.

“If you don’t buy into it, then you’re not part of it and you’re welcome to leave the club at any time.”

Joining the team with only six regular season games to go is an exciting prospect for the striker, and an opportunity he has relished.

“It’s exciting to come in because obviously last year we were six or seven points ahead with a few games left, so we had that wrapped up as far as I’m concerned,” he explained.

“This year is completely different, where instead of being the hunted, we’re hunting down the top couple of teams because we’re a couple points off, so it was enticing to come back.

“I think the pressure is on everyone else in front of us, because we’re chasing them down and we’re pretty confident we can do that.

“At the end of the day, we’ve still got to get the points on the board and see how we go in finals.”

Having spent a lot of time with Blacktown in the NPL NSW Men’s league, Major couldn’t recall another time where the competition was so tightly-contested at this point in the season, with 2014 the only season that came close.

“The only one that comes to mind was 2014 I think, when Blacktown Spartans, ourselves and Bonnyrigg were all fighting for the top three and it came down to the last day where Blacktown Spartans just needed a draw to win and I think we beat them 7-0 and they lost it on the final day to Bonnyrigg,” he recalled.

“That’s the only one I can really think of, in the last few years it’s been the first position that’s run off and won it by five or six points – I’ve never seen it this close with six teams in the race.

Having made his return to the league with a very successful performance, Major said it was a bit of luck that helped him with his hat trick.

“It was a bit of luck to be honest, obviously getting a penalty after 20 seconds, it sort of fell in my lap,” he explained.

“We got another penalty, which again fell in my lap and then got one straight after half time, so it was good to get some goals straight away and just shake off the cobwebs, because I think it’s been six weeks since I’ve played a game.

“It was nice to get out there injury free, get some goals, win the game and we just to carry on the next week now.”

With five games remaining and the Premiership in reach, Major is determined to succeed in the remainder of the season and hopefully return to playing football overseas afterwards.

“Personally, I just want to come back, stay injury free, do as well as I can, score goals and get as far as we can into the finals and win it all and if anything comes up from that, then we’ll take it from there,” he said.

“I definitely want to go back to Asia, I’m just not sure what country that will be, it just depends on what opportunity presents itself.

“Five of the last six years I’ve been over there and I’ve been happy with how it went so I definitely want to go back over there and test myself again.

“I’m lucky I’ve got a supportive partner who is happy to travel with me, which makes it a lot easier.

“If something comes up that’s definitely something we both want to pursue, but it has to come up first.”

-By Madeline Riley

“Back to Manly Day” set to shine

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Manly United and the Manly Warringah Football Association will be hosting the 2022 “Back to Manly Day” on Saturday 9 July when Manly United takes on Blacktown City at Cromer Park in what will be a crunch National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s fixture.

The first-grade team, and current competition leaders, will kick off at 3pm on the newly upgraded synthetic pitch of Cromer Park, Field 1 with the U20’s kicking off the show at 1pm.

The annual “Back to Manly Day” is an important date on the football calendar as Manly United reach out to all former players, coaches, administrators, parents, supporters that have played a part in the history of football on the Northern Beaches, whether it is Manly Warringah, Warringah Freshwater, Warringah, Manly North Shore United or Manly United.

This year’s Back to Manly Day will look a little different to previous years following the opening of the freshly renovated Manly Warringah Football Club. With a new deck overlooking the home of football on the Northern Beaches it is the only place to watch what will be a thrilling game of football.

To coincide with the re-opening of the Clubhouse Manly United have dedicated the 2022 Back to Manly Day to the teams from the era when the Clubhouse was originally built, from 1980-1983 and will officially induct eight people as Manly United Life Members.

Manly United are excited to welcome their past members back to Cromer Park and to celebrate the history of football on the Northern Beaches.

For more information or to RSVP please contact reception@mwfa.com.au.

2022 Back to Manly Day Details

1pm – Back to Manly Day Function Starts

1pm – U20’s Match: Manly United vs Blacktown City FC

3pm – First Grade Match: Manly United vs Blacktown City FC

Late – Manly Warringah Football Clubhouse, The Far Post, will close. Bistro will be open for dinner from 5pm-8pm and bar open late into the night

Round 17 NPL NSW Men’s Team of the Week’

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The talk of this week’s was the return of Blacktown City FC’s favourite son Travis Major who made a stunning returning netting a hat-trick in the club’s 3-0 victory over the Northbridge Bulls on Sunday.

The inclusion of Major has certainly injected more life into the Blacktown City squad, he along with Grant Lynch were standouts against the Bulls.

Veteran APIA keeper Ivan Necevski did his bit to ensure the Inner West club picked up a point against a tough Sydney FC outfit while it was a maiden run for Sydney United 58’s Tariq Maia who was the best on field in Sydney United 58’s thrilling 3-3 draw against Rockdale Ilinden.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers battled well against the Marconi Stallions and with that came the inclusion of two players in this week’s Team of the Week, a first in a while.

Defender Solomon Vaiika and the ‘Mayor’ of Mt Druitt Town Rangers Jack Stewart played their part in grabbing a 1-1 draw at the Palace.

Sydney Olympic also had two inclusions following its comprehensive 4-1 win over the Sutherland Sharks with Adam Parkhouse showing yet again his good return to form following an injury layoff while defender Benjamin Van Meurs was also solid at the back as well as getting amongst the scoresheet.

There were also appearances from Stallions’ hard working midfielder Connor Evans, Wollongong Wolves’ young gun Jake Lavalle and Manly United’s Bruno Mendes.

Congrats to all players for their inclusions in this week’s Round 17 NPL NSW Men’s ‘Team of the Week’.

Round 17 Review – NPL NSW Men’s

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Round 17 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition has come to a close after an entertaining weekend of football shone a light on the tightness of the league with four draws from six matches.

Manly United retained their position on the top of the ladder but the Premiership is still in contention for more than half of the teams in the league.

APIA Leichhardt FC 1 – Sydney FC 1 at Lambert Park

APIA Leichhardt and Sydney FC shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in a thrilling Round 17 game in the NPL NSW Men’s competition at Lambert Park on Saturday evening.

A goal to either side in the first half provided for an entertaining encounter.

It was dubbed a blockbuster and, in the first half at least, the encounter certainly lived up to expectations.

Diego Celis opened the scoring for APIA Leichhardt before Adrian Segecic equalised before the break for Sydney FC in what was a really an impressive first half of football.

Marconi Stallions FC 1 – Mt Druitt Town Rangers 1 at Marconi Stadium

The Marconi Stallions shared points with Mt Druitt Town Rangers with a 1-1 draw on Saturday night at Marconi’s final home game of the NPL NSW Men’s competition.

Connor Evans hit a sensational strike from range in the 56th minute to open the scoring in the game and secure the lead for the home side.

Jack Stewart answered for Mt Druitt in the 82nd minute to bring the visitors back into the game and ultimately secure a point for his team.

Manly United FC 1 – Wollongong Wolves FC 1 at WIN Stadium

Wollongong Wolves and Manly United shared the points in a 1-1 draw at WIN Stadium on Saturday night.

Jake Lavalle gave the hosts the lead in first-half stoppage time, before substitute Bruno Mendes equalised for Manly midway through the second half.

Blacktown City FC 3 – Northbridge Bulls FC 0 at Blacktown City Sport Centre 

Blacktown City have welcomed back their all-time leading goal scorer, Travis Major, as he returned to Blacktown City Sports Centre with a hat-trick in a convincing 3-0 win over Northbridge Bulls.

Major marked his return to Blacktown in the opening minutes after converting on a penalty, before doing the same in the 43rd minute to secure the first half brace.

It took Major all of 90 seconds in the second half to complete his hat-trick, capping of the memorable day with a powerful header that crossed over the line to give City a three-goal advantage and ultimately the win.

Rockdale Ilinden FC 3 – Sydney United 58 FC 3 at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre

Rockdale Ilinden and Sydney United 58 shared points in a desperate and rugged contest that finished in a 3-3 draw at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.

The eagerly-anticipated match saw first-half goals from Tariq Maia and Chris Payne before another scintillating Jaden Casella strike and Alec Urosevski leveller restored parity.

United 58 thought they had finally put the game to bed when Kyle Cimenti found the net before a stoppage time equaliser from Will Mutch earned Rockdale a valuable point.

Sydney Olympic FC 4 – Sutherland Sharks FC 1 at Belmore Sportsground

It was all smiles for Sydney Olympic at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday afternoon after a dominant display kept them on pace with the race for Premiership with a 4-1 victory over the Sutherland Sharks.

Goals to Benjamin Van Meurs, Brendan Cholakian and Roy O’Donovan saw Olympic with a three-goal advantage heading into the half-time break.

Sutherland’s James Andrew managed to get the visitors on the scoreboard shortly after the restart but Adam Parkhouse finished off scoring for the hosts to secure a 4-1 victory.

Major Completes Dream Comeback With Hat-Trick For Blacktown City

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Blacktown City have welcomed back their all-time leading goal scorer, Travis Major, as he returned to Blacktown City Sports Centre with a hat-trick in a convincing 3-0 win over Northbridge Bulls.

Major marked his return to Blacktown in the opening minutes after converting on a penalty, before doing the same in the 43rd minute to secure the first half brace.

It took Major all of 90 seconds in the second half to complete his hat-trick, capping of the memorable day with a powerful header that crossed over the line to give City a three-goal advantage and ultimately the win.

Just moments after the kick-off Blacktown City were given a golden opportunity to open the scoring as Hiroaki Aoyama was brought down in the box.

With the referee awarding a penalty up stepped Blacktown’s all-time leading goal scorer, who sent the keeper the wrong way and marked his return with a goal.

Major continued to give the Bulls defence plenty of issues in the opening stages, narrowly missing a close range header after being picked out by Grant Lynch.

The hosts found the back of the net once again in the 17th minute as a cross from Dakota Askew deflected off Jack McLoughlin and went in, but the linesman raised his flag for offside and denied the hosts a second.

After finding themselves on the back foot for the opening ten minutes, Northbridge found a way back into the game and began to match the intense nature shown by their opponents.

Levi Kaye kept the visitors in the game after making a spectacular save to deny Major in a one-on-one situation midway through the first half.

The physicality was turned up a notch in the final stages of the half, with both sides committing numerous fouls and the referee issuing three yellow cards.

With half time approaching, Blacktown were awarded a penalty for the second time in the first half as Major approached the spot to secure a brace.

Major sent Kaye the wrong way once again but picked out the opposite corner as his teammates embraced the influential striker upon his return.

In a near carbon-copy of the first half, Major found the back of the net in the opening minutes to secure his hat-trick.

Aoyama made his way down the line before putting a looping ball into the path of Major where he headed it over the line.

Northbridge sparked their attack after the third goal and called the City defence into action throughout the opening stages of the second half.

James Cakovski came within inches of a stunning opener for the visitors, with his curling volley narrowly missing the target.

As the game approached the hour mark, Major was denied of an unprecedented fourth goal after a brilliant ball from Jackson Bandiera picked him out at the back post as he found the back of the net.

The linesman once again ruled out the goal as Major continued to make his presence felt in his return game.

Northbridge came agonisingly close to an opener as Stephan De Robillard played Diego Bonilla through and the striker beat the keeper, but overpowered his shot and missed the target from close range.

Blacktown came close to a fourth after Mario Shabow played Mitchell Malia through on goal, with his efforts beating the keeper but also the near post.

The Bulls held strong in the final period of the game after being put under an immense amount of pressure from the City attack.

Major’s hat-trick was enough to separate the sides as City walked away with a clean sheet and three crucial points.

Northbridge coach, Mile Sterjovski credited the tough opposition and admitted his side missed their chances.

“It was always gonna be a tough game coming here against Blacktown who are an experienced team with quality players, it was just disappointing conceding a penalty in the opening minutes,” he said.

“We had a few chances we could of put away but it wasn’t our day, with players out it gives opportunity to others to step up…yes we’re not playing for the title but the boys have a lot to play for.”

Mark Crittenden noted the importance of the result and praised his returning striker.

“It was important that we got the result and it’s nice to see Trav [Travis Major] back at the club he helps, but the boys put in a good shift and got the result we desired,” he said.

Travis Major credited his teammates for their help and feels confident in the side going forward.

“It’s nice, I got lucky my first touch was a goal, I hadn’t warmed up I was a bit shaky and it rolled into the corner,” he said.

“It’s pretty easy coming back to this team, they’re always a confident bunch and in the last few weeks they’ve been missing something up front, luckily for me I was there to finish the chances they create so it’s easy for me.”

Match Stats

Blacktown City FC 3 (Major 2’, 44’, 47’)

Northbridge Bulls FC 0

Sunday 26th June 2022

Blacktown City Sports Centre, Seven Hills

Referee: Nathan Shakespear

Assistant Referees: Brodie Merchant and Jamie Ewin

Fourth Official: Eric Saba

Blacktown City FC: 3. Daniel Collins, 5. Grant Lynch, 6. Matthew Lewis (16. Ben Berry 82’), 7. Travis Major (23. Charles Eriku 76’), 8. Jak O’Brien, 10. Mario Shabow (14. Caleb Jackson-Brown 82’), 17. Dakota Askew, 19. Adam Berry, 24. Jackson Bandiera, 30. Alex Robinson, 32. Hiroaki Aoyama (11. Mitchell Mallia 65’).

Substitutes Not Used: 33.Alvin-John Khoshaba 40. Dylan Niski

Yellow Cards: Major 30’, Shabow 30’

Red Cards: Nil

Northbridge Bulls FC: 20. Levi Kaye, 2. Jack McLoughlin, 3. Nathan Dimou, 4.Anthony Sparacino (19. Jacob Maniti 81’), 5. Anthony Krilic (6. Isaac Hovar 58’), 9. Diego Bonilla, 11.Stephan De Robillard (7. Mason Wells 81’), 12. Marcus Sparacino, 13. James Cakovski (18. Sebastian Hernandez 72’), 16. Oliver Jones, 21. Matthew O’Donoghue (17. Jesper Webber 58’).

Substitutes Not Used: 22. Griffin Barry.

Yellow Cards: Krilic 30’

Red Cards: Nil

Written by NPL NSW Men’s reporter, Dominic Criniti @DominicCriniti