Sydney United and Demons share the spoils

Ken Schembri?s youthful team had a dream start when Ben Ellis poked home a loose ball after just two minutes after United keeper Vedran Janjatevic spilt a regulation take in the penalty box.
Sydney United recovered from that early setback and almost equalised just three minutes later when Todd Brodie found himself with only Matt Nemes to beat but the Demons custodian spread himself to snuff out the jilt edged chance.
Demons playmakers Ken Chun and Leo Carle soon began to assert their dominance in the middle of the park as both sides began to test one another out with a series of enterprising build up plays.
Carle in particular ran himself to a standstill in what was his most complete performance in a Demons jersey thus far.
Ten minutes after the interval United squared the ledger following brilliant lead up work from talisman Luka Glavas.
The ex-Perth Glory and Sydney FC marksman appeared to have the ball on a string when he played in strike partner Denis Cutura who side footed home with ease past Nemes.
United then proceeded to up the tempo but found it difficult to break down a well marshalled Demons defence, led by Paul Karbon and the returning Matt Pressello.
Blacktown City’s Jordan Simpson had the chance to cover himself in glory with two late chances in the 86th and 89th minute but found the impressive Jantajevic too big an obstacle between the sticks.
Winger Ben Ellis also had the chance in injury time to steal the three points after following up Simpson?s second shot but side footed his goal bound shot into the midriff of the retreating Josip Moric.
Ken Schembri felt a draw was a fair result given the heavy conditions and the fact that both squads were playing their third game in the space of seven days.
?I am happy to walk away with a point, the boys were a bit leg weary but kept going to the final whistle,? he said.
?We had a great start with Ben scoring within the first five minutes and then looked pretty good up until half time.
?We spoke about switching on but unfortunately were a little jaded and let them back into the contest with a soft goal.
?Leo Carle was really good for us, I felt he was the best player on the park and he will get better as he gets some match fitness under his belt.
?Most people would agree we finished the better of the two teams which was pleasing.?
Schembri?s opposite Ivan Petkovic wasn?t impressed with the slow start from his men but was happy with the way they responded after conceding virtually from the kick off.
?Whenever you go down early it isn?t easy because you find yourself chasing the game before you have got into your groove,? he said.
?I don?t know why were so flat but thankfully the boys got back in the contest and we were unlucky not to win.
?At this time of the year we can trial a few players in different positions and see how they respond.
?We haven?t lost yet so we are looking good coming out from the back it?s now a matter of being that little bit creative and clinical in front of goal.?

-By Andrew Hurrell
Match Stats
Blacktown City Demons 1 (Ben Ellis 2′)
Sydney United 1 (Denis Cutura 55′)
Lynwood Park, St Helens Park 
Referee: Srebre Delovski
Assistants: Stephen Payne, Steve Visic
Crowd ? 300
Blacktown City Demons ? 20.M.Nemes, 2.M.Pressello, 3.P.Karbon, 4.D.Wilkinson, 5.R.Walsh, 8.C.Bedzo, 6.K.Chun, 10.L.Carle, 11.N.Roucco, 13.B.Ellis, 14.J.Simpson
Substitutes ? 9.B.Salas, 17.H.Marsh, 19.B.Vanega, 40.V.Vujosevic, 15.R.Kaawi
Sydney United -1.V.Janjatevic, 5.D.Collina, 38.S.Trajcevski, 6.J.Vrkic, 3.J.Moric, 14.P.Markovic, 12.I.Bosnar, 7.T Brodie, 15. C.Boyle, 8.S.Tresoglavic, 11.L.Glavas
Substitutes ? 1.M.Turnbull, 4.M.Bosnar, 10.P.Curjak, 2.R.Perinich, 28. D.Cutura
Yellow Cards ? M.Pressello 39?(BCD), J.Vrkic 54?(SU),  J.Moric 64? (SU)

Player Ratings:

• 3 – P.Karbon (BCD)
• 2 – N.Roucco (BCD)
• 1 – T.Brodie (SU)