Blacktown City have returned to the winners’ circle – and the top of the PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 1 table – with a comprehensive 4-0 thrashing of Blacktown Spartans at Blacktown Football Park.
The derby win was the perfect response from Mark Crittenden’s men after last weeks embarrassing defeat to Sydney Olympic.
The passion of the derby sparked both teams into action from the opening whistle.
Blacktown Spartans were full of energy early on and it nearly paid dividends in the 9th minute when City shot stopper Nenad Vekic denied Futa Nakumura’s shot.
The home side continued to mount pressure on their opponents with back-to-back opportunities for Nakamura and Shu Sasaki in the 22nd minute.
However, the Spartans paid the ultimate price for an error in the middle of the park after 33 minutes when Nakamura lost possession after he was clattered in a physical challenge.
Travis Major took possession of the loose ball and broke away on the left wing before delivering a pinpoint pass for Mitch Mallia to tap home from five yards out.
Momentum was well and truly in City’s favour after the goal as the visitors took control of the match just before the half-time interval.
From the start of the second half it was all Blacktown City.
Lead by the attacking trio of Patrick Antelmi, Mallia and Major, Crittenden’s side was hungry for goals and took the game to the Spartans.
After 62 minutes Antelmi doubled the visitors lead when he tapped home after a breakaway and cross from Mallia.
City sent wave after wave of attack as the Spartans did their best to hold on.
It didn’t take long for Joey Gibbs to return to the score sheet after he was brought on as a substitute for the first time since a foot injury eight weeks ago.
Doing what he does best, Gibbs tapped home from a Major cross in the 82nd minute for a 3-0 City lead.
The torment continued for the home fans in the 90th minute when Gibbs made it 4-0.
A Dom Dileo error gifted City possession and once again Gibbs took full advantage of the opportunity to cement the result and all three points.
Stand-in Blacktown City captain Matt Lewis said it was a relief to return to the winners’ list after a difficult fortnight for the club.
“We desperately needed a win after our result to Olympic last week,” he said.
“The boys all stood up and put in a huge performance to get the win.
“Having Joey Gibbs back is massive for us and he is sure to get even better with a bit more match fitness under his belt.”
Spartans captain Carlos Saliadarre admitted his side’s performance wasn’t up to the level.
“It was a very tough game for the boys,” he said.
“Blacktown City showed why they are on top of the table.
“There is not too much you can take away from a game like that. Hopefully we can put in a big match next week and finish our season on a high.”
Blacktown Spartans: 0
Blacktown City: 4 (Mallia 32’ Antelmi 62’, Gibbs 82’,90’)
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Blacktown Football Park, Rooty Hill
Referee: Chris Young
Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields & Nicholas Backo
Fourth Official: Tristan Harris
Blacktown Spartans: Saliadarre; Crighton, Dukic, Kondek (Da Silva 58’), Morton, Mutch (Enwiya 72’), Nakamura, Quigley, Sasaki, Tanner (Dileo 77’), Tomihiro
Substitutes:, Nascimben, Valastro
Yellow Cards: Morton 78’ Da Silva 90’
Blacktown City: Vekic; Antelmi (Araujo 68’), Choi (Tomoras 83’) , Evans, Fragogiannis, Lewis, Macura, Major, Mallia (Gibbs 74’), TImotheou, Speranza,
Substitutes:, Prendergast, Tomaras, Montford,
Yellow Cards: Evans 74, Macura 77’, 86’
Red Cards: Macura 86’
Olympic display class and overpower Blacktown City
Outplayed, outmatched and downright outclassed.
That was the story for Blacktown City FC as the competition leaders were comprehensively beaten 4-0 by Sydney Olympic FC at Belmore Sports Ground on Saturday afternoon.
It was City’s worst display of the year as Olympic flexed its premiership credentials with an outstanding display of attacking football.
It was one-way traffic right from the opening whistle.
Blacktown City showed signs of fatigue from its midweek FFA Cup clash and Olympic could smell blood.
A defensive mix-up six minutes in provided Scott Balderson the perfect chance to find the back of the net and he didn’t disappoint.
Balderson leapt over his marker to knock the ball past the outstretched arms of City keeper Nenad Vekic and into the back of the net.
Only moments later the lead was doubled.
Balderson created a mile of space for Dimitri Hatzimouratis who cut inside his defender and hammered home to make it 2-0 after 15 minutes.
Blacktown was down and out with passes missing the mark and Olympic finding plenty of space to move the ball.
City’s sloppiness was punished further after 30 minutes.
Taiga Soeda broke free from his marker on the right hand side of the box before he side footed the ball past Vekic and into the back of the net for a 3-0 lead.
Blacktown desperately needed the half time whistle to regroup but Olympic had other ideas.
A free kick 20 yards out was the perfect medium for Soeda to showcase his skills as the Japanese midfielder curled the ball home to make it 4-0 going into the break.
City coach Mark Crittenden looked to his bench to inspire some attack from his troops as the experienced gaffer brought on Danny Choi and Connor Evans for the listless Christos Tomoras and Patrick Antelmi.
The change proved to make little difference as the Olympic onslaught continued.
Balderson continued to be the danger man with his movement off the ball and slick passing creating chance after chance for the home team.
Blacktown desperately pushed forward to find a break through but the Olympic defence and goalkeeper Paul Henderson were at the top of their game.
It was cruise control for Grant Lee’s men during the final ten minutes as they held out to secure a dominant victory.
Olympic’s mid-season struggles were very much a thing of the past according to Lee.
“It was good result. The boys did very well and have shown how far they have come in the past few weeks,” Lee said.
“We did what we had to do in the first half and was able to take some steam out in the second half to prepare for our FFA Cup game in Canberra.
“We knew they would’ve been hurting from their FFA Cup loss mid-week and we did very well to take advantage of that and secure a well earned 3 points.”
There were few positives for Blacktown, however Crittenden said in the context of the season it was only a small hiccup.
“It was disappointing result for us but you have to give them credit for how they played,” he said.
“It is only our second loss of the season so overall you can’t be too upset.
“We just have to regroup during the week and have ourselves ready to go against the Spartans next week for the derby.”
Sydney Olympic: 4 (Balderson 5’, Hatzimouratis 15’, Soeda 30’, 42)
Blacktown City: 0
Sunday, August 1, 2015
Balmier Sports Ground, Belmore
Referee: Kristian Griffiths-Jones
Assistant Referees: Leigh Pigram & Adam Vainauskus
Fourth Official: Samuel Grasso
Sydney Olympic: Henderson; Angel (Mardonis 77’), Balderson (Gaitatzis 58’) , Danaskos, Gaitatzis, Hatzimouratis, Hooper, Keir, Soeda, Sorge, Kerr (Spyrakis 63’)
Substitutes: Dimitrakas, Madonis, Markovic, Shirai,
Yellow Cards: Damasks 40’
Blacktown City: Vekic; Antelmi (Choi 45’), Cairncross (Timotheou 80’), Fragogiannis, Lewis, Macura, Major, Mallia, Perkatis, Tomoras (Evans 45’), Speranza,
Substitutes: Araujo, Prendergast,
Yellow Cards: Fragogiannis 24’ Cairncross 42’ Perkatis 44’
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
Honours even at Blacktown
The 0-0 score line is the most despised in football, but on a chilly Sunday afternoon at Lilys Football Centre it did little justice to an enthralling PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 1 contest between Blacktown City FC and Rockdale City Suns FC.
Neither side could find the back of the net despite numerous examples of fine attacking moves, as exemplary defending and outstanding goalkeeping was the order of the day.
Blacktown City FC controlled the game in the middle of the park, courtesy of a brilliant performance from the midfield axis of Sasa Macura and Connor Evans, but it was Rockdale who created the better chances, hitting the crossbar twice and forcing a goal-line clearance.
From as early as six minutes, it looked like goals might be on the cards.
Yianni Fragogiannis and Travis Major were a constant threat down Blacktown City’s right flank, and when the former whipped in a cross during the sixth minute in the direction of Mitch Mallia, a goal seemed the only outcome, only for Rockdale’s Daniel Petkovski to put in a desperate challenge to block the ball wide of the goal.
Blacktown keeper Nenad Vekic got the first taste of what was to be a very busy afternoon as Rockdale effectively countered off a dominant City midfield when he came under a strong challenge from former Hyundai A-League target man Dylan Macallister.
Macallister beat Vekic 17 minutes in when he did well to control an awkward cross which had bounced to waist height, bringing the ball down and hitting an unconvincing shot past Vekic only for his strike to be cleared off the line by Matt Lewis, who was outstanding all game.
Lewis formed a formidable fortress at the back in tandem with captain Zach Cairncross who dealt effectively with everything that came their way, but not even they could stop slipper Sun Alec Urosevski who was unlucky not to score a brilliant goal in the 19th minute.
Picking up the ball on the right wing near the centre park, Urosevski did everything but find the back of the net as he skinned Giorgio Speranza, rode a challenge from Lewis, stumbled, regained his footing and unleashed a rocket of a shot onto the cross bar from a tight angle.
Blacktown City went close again after 20 minutes when Travis Major failed to keep down a Fragogiannis header that proved a bit too high for the City forward.
The frantic opening 20 minutes set the tone for the rest of the game and before the first half closed Blacktown goalkeeper Vekic had been forced into saves from the Suns’ captain Askin Oygur, Toufic Alameddine and Urosevski.
At the other end, Rockdale were forced to play 17-year-old Nicholas Sorras – who has spent time on Central Coast Mariner’s books – who was outstanding in his senior debut in place of Ivan Necevski.
Sorras coped well, commanding his box admirably and saving a number of long rang efforts well throughout the game.
He was more heavily relied on in the second half than the first, saving brilliantly from Mallia not long after his fellow keeper Vekic was forced into action at the other end by Idriss El Hafiane.
As the game wore on, Rockdale sat deeper and deeper, handing Blacktown the initiative but the ladder leaders couldn’t break through.
Marko Jesic almost stole the show and the points for Rockdale when his fierce long-range effort clipped the crossbar in the 88th minute.
Blacktown City coach Mark Crittenden was left frustrated with his team’s final ball into the box after getting into a number of promising positions.
“We dominated the possession as they sat off us a bit, which a lot of teams seem to be doing at the moment,” Crittenden said.
“They had some good chances though and hit the crossbar, but we didn’t use the ball well enough.
“Our final ball was pretty poor and that’s what really hurt us, because we got into very good areas, which makes it hard to score.”
Crittenden said his team would need to get better at breaking down teams going forward, but said his defence was outstanding.
Suns coach Paul Reid said he would have taken a point before the game, but was disappointed not to leave with all three after a great team performance.
“Before the game you would have taken a draw, but we had the better chances, especially in the first half,” Reid said.
“It was a comfortable draw. We had a game plan and it worked a treat.”
Reid was full of praise for stand-in keeper Sorras.
“He’s only 17 and it’s his first senior game but he was outstanding,” Reid said.
“We bought him in four or five weeks ago for the 20s and 18s, so he was fifth or fourth choice two weeks ago, but he’s been brilliant.”
Match Stats
Blacktown City FC 0
Rockdale City Suns 0
Sunday July 12, 2015
Lilys Football Centre
Referee: Katie-Louise Patterson
Assistant Referees: Raymond Osborne and Kearney Robinson
Fourth Official: Samuel Grasso
Blacktown City: Vekic, Antelmi (Petrakis 74’, (Tomaras 89’), Fragogiannis, Speranza, Mallia, Major, Macura, Lewis, Evans, Choi,(Perre 64’), Cairncross
Substitutes not used: Perkatis, Perre, Prendergast, Timotheou, Tomaras
Yellow Cards: Macura 83’
Rockdale City Suns: Alameddine (Iwamoto 77’), El Hafiane, Hesketh, Jesic, Macallister (Tanoski 84’), Murayama, Oygur, Petkovski, Savor, Urosevski, Sorras
Substitutes not used: Iwamoto, Tanoski, Kemp, Petrillo, Lekoski
Yellow Cards: Petkovski 53’
-By Matthew Galea, National Premier Leagues NSW Mens 1 Reporter, at Lilys Football Centre
Blacktown City edge out heroic Parramatta FC
ON A day where Parramatta City reflected on its proud history, it was Travis Major and Blacktown City FC who stole the headlines.
An early goal from Major proved the difference between Blacktown City FC and the Eagles in the inaugural Heritage Round match at Melita Stadium.
Major, the former Central Coast Mariner, pounced in the eighth minute to turn home the decisive goal of the contest after Parramatta goalkeeper Luke Turnbull only parried a fierce Patrick Antelmi strike into Major’s path.
Before kick-off, Parramatta FC honoured some of its greatest names to mark the inaugural Heritage Round.
National Soccer League Cup winning coach Rale Rasic headlined a historic roll call before the match alongside club stalwarts George Ellul – who marks up half a century with the club this year – as well as "Mr. Melita" himself, Sam Vella.
The Eagles put in a resilient performance as they tried to honour their former greats in the best way possible, but were left empty handed.
It was not for a lack of trying, though, and the losses of captain Patrick Gatt through injury and fellow defender Joshua Symons through suspension meant stand-in skipper Mathew Clowes was forced to take up a spot in the heart of defence.
Blacktown City was not without its own selection woes with stars Joey Gibbs and Sasa Macura both ruled out.
The Eagles’ new look backline coped well in the circumstances, but its early frailties proved costly as some fine ball movement from Blacktown City – which eventually released the ever-dangerous Danny Choi – pulled the defenders out of shape.
A first-time cross across the face of the 18-yard-box from Choi found Antelmi whose shot forced a tremendous save from Turnbull. Unfortunately the Eagles keeper could do little to prevent Major from tucking home the rebound.
Antelmi failed to score the goal his first-half play deserved when he was found unmarked by Choi at the front post, missing with his header from close range.
Parramatta FC was not without chances of its own, forcing two turnovers high up the pitch but never able to break down the last line of Blacktown City’s defence.
Marco Sama was Parramatta’s main outlet going forward, but his efforts were limited to longer range shots.
An injury to Choi forced the dangerous left winger off at half-time and his side looked hamstrung going forward as a result.
A Parramatta corner after 48 minutes almost produced an equaliser for the Eagles from the resulting scramble in the six-yard box, but Blacktown City was able to clear its lines.
Sama was dangerous again just after the hour mark as the Eagles forward embarked on a mazy run from just inside his own half before eventually getting off a shot which was deflected wide.
Minutes later Juan Chavez, Parramatta’s hero last week, spurned a golden opportunity when his close-range strike was well saved by Bankstown City’s number one Nenad Vekic.
Vekic was called upon again after 86 minutes to turn away a stinging free-kick from Parramatta substitute Daniel Rezo.
Blacktown City coach Mark Crittenden said it was not a performance to remember for his side, but said it was the sort of win which could prove crucial in the race for the premiership.
“It’s a tough place to come, and they worked hard today, so we’re happy with the win, if not the overall performance,” Crittenden said.
“We didn’t move the ball quick enough and took poor options and we had enough chances in the first half to kill the game.
“In years gone by there are games you look back on and think, ‘yeah, we weren’t that great,’ but those games are often the difference.”
Parramatta FC coach Franco Consentino – a former Eagles player himself – said the pre-game ceremony was a touching tribute and a great reminder of the impact his club has had on Australian football.
“I played here as well, and to see the old boys back was great,” Consentino said.
“The club has a lot history and has been one of the greatest forces in Australian soccer over the years, so it was a nice touch.
“I can’t complain with the performance. They’re a good side, they’re quick and when you make a mistake they’ll hurt you, which they did.
“We had to shuffle things around as well, and I was happy shape wise and how we worked but I wasn’t happy with how we turned over the ball.”
Match Stats
Parramatta FC 0
Blacktown City FC 1 (Major, 8’)
Sunday June 14, 2015
Melita Stadium, Sefton
Referee: Benjamin Abraham
Assistant Referees: Thomas Lee and Kearney Robinson
Fourth Official: Matthew Mcorist
Parramatta City FC: Turnbull, R. Speranza, Tsironis (Grima 84’), Vais (Rezo 50’), Ardle, Chavez (Gersbach 81’), Clowes, Gullo, Richards, Sama, Tayebi Derazkala
Substitutes not used: Diacono, Gersbach, Grima, Mallett
Yellow cards: Tayebi Derazkala 23’, Rezo 63’
Blacktown City: Vekic, G. Speranza, Antelmi, Cairncross, Choi (Araujo, 45’), Evans, Fragogiannis, Lewis, Major, Mallia (Grozdanovski 84’), Perkatis
Substitutes not used: Beumie, Perre, Prendergast
Yellow Cards: Fragogiannis 47’
Player ratings:
3 – Danny Choi (Blacktown City)
2 – Nenad Vekic (Blacktown City)
1 – Marco Sama (Parramatta FC)
– By Matthew Galea, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Mens 1 Reporter, at Melita Stadium