Waratah Cup Round 4: Spartans end Northbridge?s run to advance to Quarters
The Spartans, 2010 semi finalists when still in State League One, took the lead on the half hour, and then controlled proceedings reasonably comfortably, scoring two more goals in the second stanza to deliver the knockout punch to their opponents.
Both sides spent the opening ten minutes weighing each other up on what was a crisp and chilly evening at Francis Park.
Elliott King, Northbridge?s feisty little striker, showed a little of what was to come when he unleashed a 20-yard volley in the tenth minute, only for Blacktown?s experienced custodian, Carlos Saliadarre who saved brilliantly.
The Spartans responded within sixty seconds, Glenn McPherson just failing to get a good crack at a header from a deep cross from fellow striker, Mario Ghobrial.
The visitors from State League Two then had a great opportunity to take the lead on 22 minutes.
King slipped a through ball to Hardy, who managed to shrug off the challenge of a last ditch defender before blasting over. The intimidating figure of Saliadarre, racing out to narrow the angles, had a desired effect and rushed the striker into a rash shot.
A couple of minutes later and it was Blacktown?s turn to threaten, when Peter Hubbard, who made some telling overlapping runs in the first half down the right flank from the right side of defence, effected a far post cross that was nodded into the path of Tom Spencer by Mojtaba Mohebbee.
The Spartans skipper took a touch past the advancing Northbridge keeper, Craig Whitehouse, before skewing his angled shot into the side netting.
The home side kept up the momentum, and on 24 minutes it was Mohebbee who blasted wide across goal after some great lead up work by Glenn McPherson.
The Spartans finally broke the deadlock in the 29th minute and it came from one of Saliadarre?s long punts up-field.
Skipper Tom Spencer got a hold of the leather down the right side of the park, reaching the side of the penalty area before cutting inside and drilling a low shot inside the near post of Northbridge?s Craig Whitehouse to put Blacktown one-up.
Not to be denied, Elliott King almost equalized for Northbridge within sixty seconds when his cross shot went agonizingly inches wide of Saliadarre?s far post.
Referee David Christie was called into action before the half time break on numerous occasions, handing out no less than four cautions ? two per side ? as he flexed his whistle to keep a lid on the over zealous challenges.
Northbridge emerged from the sheds at half-time eager to drag themselves back into the match, and on 56 minutes had another great opportunity to score.
Substitute Luke Marshall slipped a through ball to captain, Danny Hillege, and he raced in on goal with all the time in the world, but his low shot was brilliantly saved by Saliadarre, who continued to thwart Northbridge.
Northbridge were to rue that opportunity as the Spartans stepped up a gear and created a number of chances within the following ten minutes.
Glenn McPherson beat the offside trap in the 58th minute, racing away and drilling a low shot that took a slight deflection from a back tracking defender on its way past the upright.
A couple of minutes later and Nathan Agbinya, who had just entered the fray moments earlier, sped down the left and delivered an inch perfect cross that was met by Tom Spencer, who?s header was well saved by Whitehouse in the Northbridge goal.
The home side needed a little breathing space, and it came on 65 minutes with an opportunist goal.
A long ball was flicked on by Spencer, and McPherson, unmarked inside the box, swiveled and cracked a volley past the hapless Whitehouse to give the Spartans a 2-0 lead.
Five minutes later and it was all over bar the shouting, with Agbinya at it again, racing down the left and into the box before slipping the ball past Whitehouse.
Northbridge defender Brad Clarke was tracking back desperately and only succeeded in slamming the ball into the roof of his own net, but in his defence the ball was on its way in.
Agbinya then slammed a 20-yard shot from the corner of the box that was expertly tipped over the cross bar by Whitehouse as the Spartans looked to tighten the screws.
As the Spartans emptied their entire bench, all five subs eventually getting some game time, Northbridge never stopped trying as the minutes ticked away.
Even Carlos Saliadarre made way with ten minutes remaining, but not before one last brilliant stop, saving when again faced with a one-on-one, this time with Northbridge substitute, Luke Marshall.
Northbridge eventually gave their brave fans something to cheer about as in the 84th minute, Elliott King went through a gap and slipped the ball past substitute keeper Rhyss Keane to pull a goal back for his side.
But despite one last frenzy of activity, including a number of corners and a couple of free kicks on the edge of the box, Northbridge couldn?t add to their score, and subsequently made their exit from this year?s competition.
It was gallant run from the team from State League Two, and they were far from disgraced in a spirited performance.
Elliott King was by far Northbridge?s best player ? the little striker chased everything in the attacking third, held the ball up well, created a number of opportunities for his team mates – two of which were one-on-ones which were both spurned ? and he was rewarded for his efforts with a late strike.
Central defender Joe Hayward was strong in the tackle and marshaled his backline reasonably well, whilst keeper Craig Whitehouse did a great job between the sticks to keep his side in the game for most of the match.
Blacktown Spartans did what they had to do, and it felt as if they still had something left in the tank as they labored their way to a comfortable victory.
Last season they made it to the semi-finals before bowing out in the final minute of extra time ? who?s to say they cannot go one better this time around?
Luke Infanti and Daniel Wells were superb in the centre of defence both fierce in the tackle, strong in the air, and persistent in their application to the task at hand.
Simon Zahra was effective as a holding midfielder linking well with all his team mates as he provided options in both attack and defence, whilst Saliadarre showed once again why he is one of the most highly regarded goalkeepers outside of the NSW Premier League.
Match Stats
BLACKTOWN SPARTANS 3 (Spencer 29?, McPherson 65?, Clarke own goal 70?)
NORTHBRIDGE FC 1 (King 84?)
Tuesday, June 7,at Francis Park
Referee ? David Christie
Assistant Referees ? Mario Tedone & Dale Fuda
BLACKTOWN SPARTANS: 1.C.Saliadarre (20.R.Keane 80?), 13.M.Mohebbee (5.N.Agbinya 53?),10.M.Ghobrial (2.K.Kurihara 72?), 17.P.Hubbard, 16.L.Infanti, 6.G.Kondek, 3.M.McCaffrey,11.G.McPherson (7.M.Carnuccio 77?), 4.D.Wells, 8.T.Spencer (capt),, 19.S.Zahra (18.T.McRae 77?).
Subs not used- NIL
Yellow Cards ? 4.D.Wells 27?, 11.G.McPherson 36?.
Red Cards ? NIL.
NORTHBRIDGE FC: 22.C.Whitehouse, 6.B.Clarke, 4.J.Haywood, 35.A.Schieder, 24.K.Hall, 20.H.Souto (5.L.Marshall 53?), 26.M.Zanders,11.D.Hillege (capt) (16.J.Arima 70?), 14.A.Jamada, 34.E.King, 13.R.Hardy (10.E.Khzouz 72?).
Subs not used- 3.C.Hillege, 1.P.Taylor.
Yellow Cards ? 4.J.Haywood 36?, 20.H.Souto 38?, 6.B.Clarke 66?.
Red Cards ? NIL.
-By Frank Speranza
