Blacktown City defeat resilient Suns
Blacktown City FC took all three points but not without a ten-man Rockdale City Suns outfit putting up a fight as Mark Crittenden’s men ran out 4-2 victors at the Illinden Sports Centre on Sunday.
The game respectfully started with a minute silence in memory of the young Bankstown City Lions FC player, Kodjo Adjassou, who tragically passed away on Saturday. His brother, David Adjassou, was among the substitutes for the home side.
Suns’ in form player Sean Symons opened the scoring for the home side after a wonderfully placed free-kick was too much for Blacktown City keeper Nenad Vekic as Rockdale took a 1-0 lead in the third minute.
Drama then hit two minutes later as returning from suspension Suns keeper Tomislav Arcaba was once again shown a red card for bringing down Blacktown’s Matt Lewis in the box. Arcaba only recently returned after receiving his marching orders for a deliberate handball in the match against the APIA Leichhardt Tigers took an early shower as David Bradasevic replaced the custodian.
Kearyn Baccus then stepped up from the spot and maintained his impeccable record by slotting home the equaliser.
Blacktown were on a high and Baccus turned provider as his well delivered cross from the right found dangerous attacker Ryuji Miayazwa. The Japanese import used all his experience and class as he calmly slotted home the visitors second of the match in the 15th minute.
The Suns, although one man down, went in search for an equaliser and almost got it as Steven Hesketh lobbed a nice ball to Symons, but Vekic handled the situation well by grabbing the ball in the 26th minute.
Symons was at it again and almost drew the game level in the 37th minute after Hristijan Tanoski sent through a tantalising cross which the midfielder was unable to convert.
Kurt Ams blew for half time as Blacktown City took a 2-1 lead at the break but there was more action that kicked off in the second half.
The 53rd minute saw Tanoski beat three defenders before finding Nikola Taneski but his resulting cross let the striker down however did trigger warning signs to Crittenden’s men.
Taneski was a man on a mission and almost got himself on the scoresheet in the 59th and 61st minute but his efforts were thwarted from some resilient Blacktown City defending.
Taneski’s persistence finally paid off though in the 64th minute as the class attacker took a shot at goal which was saved well by Vekic but the shotstopper parried the ball to Idriss El Hafiane who slotted home the equalizing goal sending the home supporters into raptures after being on the pitch for two minutes.
The final ten minutes saw the a crafty Blacktown City hit full throttle as they went in search of that elusive winner with Zach Cairncross going close with a header from a corner in the 80th minute.
Rockdale’s persistent in defending however finally let go in the 88th minute.
Blacktown City FC’s energetic midfielder Matthew Lewis got on the scoresheet before captain Travis Major all but ended a Suns comeback scoring late in the piece as the match ended 4-2 to Crittenden’s men.
“It is a very tough place to come as they are a very well organised side… but we are happy to take the three points” commented a cheerful Mark Crittenden.
“When you play against ten sometimes it is harder since you switch off a bit and we did that.”
Commenting on the fighting form of his team despite being down 1-0 Crittenden stated to Football NSW.
“We were down 3-1 against Sutherland two weeks ago with 17′ minutes to go and we managed to win 4-3. I was always say there is one thing that I will not cop and that is giving up.
"I also want to say that Zach Cairncross for us was outstanding. He is an outstanding leader for us."
In the opposition dressing room, Suns coach Branko Culina had other feelings as he commented on the red card.
“The referee had to do what he had to do and we got punished for it.
“We believed we could come back with ten men and we did, but unfortunately in the end it took its toll.”
Match Stats
Rockdale City Suns FC 2 (Sean Symons 3’, Idriss El Hafiane 64′)
Blacktown City FC 4 (Kearyn Bacus 7’, Ryuji Miayazawa 15’, Matthew Lewis 88’, Travis Major 93′)
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
Referee: Kurt Ams
Assistant Referees: Andrej Giev and Sarah Ho
Fourth Official: Kearney Robinson
Rockdale City Suns: 1.Tomislav Arcaba; 3.Steven Hesketh, 4.Sean Symons (12.Idriss El Hafiane 62’), 5.Paul Reid, 6.Takuya Murayama, 8.Paul Kohler, 11.Nikola Taneski, 14.Patrick Savor (16.Daniel Barac 75’), 17.Hristijan Tanoski, 19.Tony Lo (22.David Bradasevic 5’), 23.Askin Oygur (C)
Substitues not used: 20.David Adjassou, 9.Tadhg Purcell
Yellow Cards: Nikola Taneski 47′
Red cards: Tomislav Arcaba 5′
Blacktown City FC: 1.Nenad Vekic; 3. Giorgio Speranza (18.Daniel Araujo 57’), 4.Yianni Fragogiannis, 5.Jacob Poscoliero, 6.Matthew Lewis, 7.Travis Major, 8.Sasa Macura, 9.Ryuji Miyazawa, 11.Danny Choi (10.Shane D’Cunha , 16.Kearyn Baccus, 19.Zachary Cairncross (C)
Substitutes not used: 13.Blake Tuxford (GK) , 12.Joel Hardwick
Yellow cards: Yianni Fragogiannis 50’, Sasa Macura 67′
Red cards: Nil
Player ratings:
3. Travis Major (BC)
2. Nikola Taneski (RCS)
1. Jacob Poscoliero (BC)
– By Saman Ziaei, National Premier Leagues NSW Mens 1 Reporter at Ilinden Sports Centre
