Blacktown City make it three from three
BLACKTOWN City has stretched their winning streak to three with a scrappy 3-1 victory against Parramatta FC at Lilys Football Centre.
A game changing turn from striker Patrick Antelmi helped steer the reigning champions from an embarrassing result to a positive one, with two late goals.
It was the visitors first on the scoresheet in the 13th minute when a communication breakdown in defence allowed Parramatta winger Frank Martey to score.
The goal proved to be a wake up call for the home side who found more structure in attack.
Danny Choi was inches away from levelling the scores in the 25th minute when his curling free kick hit the cross bar.
The extra pressure paid dividends for City in the 31st minute when a long buildup was finished by a long range bomb by hard running midfielder Sasa Macura to level the scores at 1-1.
Mitch Mallia had the chance to replicate his round one brilliance from a set piece in the 44th minute however his dipping effort sprayed just wide.
A lack of individual brilliance from either side saw the game fall into an early second half lull when the match resumed after half time.
Both sides battled to take control of the game as passes failed to hit their mark.
The addition of Antelmi for Blacktown was the game changer.
The striker was difficult to contain from the outset, creating a handful of opportunities for Blacktown City,
With eight minutes to go it was Antelmi who made the break through poking home inside the penalty box to give City a 2-1 lead.
Minutes later the substitute doubled his tally with a deft tap in at the far post from a pin point Choi cross to put the game beyond doubt for Blacktown City.
Blacktown City FC coach Mark Crittenden said his side was well below its best in the performance.
“Every team has its tough weeks and today that was us,” he said
“Thankfully we were able to come away with the three points.
“We have a Waratah cup game mid week so we can move our focus to that and our clash with Bonnyrigg next round.”
Parramatta coach Franco Consentino rued his side’s missed opportunity.
“We could’ve easily been up 3-0 at half time but we just didn’t take our chances,” he said.
“There are plenty of positives to take from the match but the fact we go home with nothing makes it tough.
“It is still early in the season so there is plenty of room to grow.”
Match Stats
Blacktown City FC 3 (Macura 31’, Antelmi 82’, 90’)
Parramatta FC 1 (Martey 13’)
Referee: Khodr Yaghi
Assistant Referees: Thomas Lee and Janush Adabjou
Fourth Official: Karl Davies
Blacktown City FC: Vekic; Beumie, Cairncross, Choi, Evans, Flottman, Gibbs (Araujo 65’), Lewis, Macura, Mallia, Tomaras (Antelmi 45’)
Substitutes not used:, Montford, Perre, Prendergast
Yellow Cards: Mallia 76’
Parramatta FC: Turnbull; Chavez (Cirjak 65’), Clowes (Momohara 80’), Gatt, Gullo, Martey (Tsironis 73’), Richards, Sama, Speranza, Symons, Tayebi Derazkala
Substitutes not used: Matic
Yellow Cards: Chavez 35’, Turnbull 45’, Gatt 52’, Sama 80’, Symons 90’
Player ratings:
3 – Sasa Macura (BCY)
2- Patrick Gatt (PAR)
1- Patrick Antelmi (BCY)
