Blacktown City too good for Wolves
BLACKTOWN City has furthered its reputation as the most feared side in the PS4 NPL NSW Men’s 1 competition.
The relentless attack of the reigning champions was on full display as they cruised to a 4-0 win against South Coast Wolves at Lilys Football Centre on Sunday.
For the Wolves it was the first coaching test for new manager in charge and former player, 29-year-old Jacob Timpano who took over Nahuel Arrarte during the week after the latter resigned from his post.
Goals for Joey Gibbs, Travis Major, Sasa Macura and Patrick Antelmi were the difference on a day where the Wolves had no answers for Blacktown’s prolific attack.
The win extends Blacktown’s lead at the top of the premiership table with only one loss from 13 matches this season.
A nervous opening 10 minutes for Blacktown was quickly forgotten when it’s damaging counter attack kicked into gear.
With South Coast on the back foot It didn’t take long for the home side to take the lead.
Joey Gibbs leapt above his marker to hammer home with his head in the 15th minute off a Patrick Antelmi free kick.
The goal left the Wolves deflated and Blacktown took full advantage pressing forward at every opportunity.
Moments later the lead was doubled.
Blacktown City midfielder Sasa Macura steamrolled past four defenders before finessing his shot across the face of goal and into the right side of the net.
Antelmi was an ever present danger for Blacktown and he was unlucky to go into the half time break without a goal.
The talented striker was denied in the 35th minute by an offside ruling while moments earlier was unable to hit the net with his cheeky chip shot when one on one with the Wolves keeper.
The second half was more of the same for the home side.
It was one way traffic as Blacktown City sent wave after wave of attack.
South Coast did its best to hold on but in the 63rd minute Travis Major finally found a break through.
The former Central Coast Mariner received the ball at the edge of the box and sped past his marker before unleashing a stinging shot into the back of the net.
At 3-0 up the match was all but assured for the home side.
The addition of Danny Choi and Mitch Mallia in the final 20 minutes for Blacktown provided extra torment for the Wolves defenders.
Antelmi was rewarded for his efforts in the dying stages of the match when he tapped home from metres out to well and truly wrap up the three points for the home side.
Blacktown assistant coach Dean Bertenshaw said it was another pleasing display from his side.
“The extra work all the boys are putting in at training is out there for everyone to see on match day,” he said.
“Our attacking is firing and it is great to be finding the back of the net with such regularity.
“While all our attacking players have received the plaudits this season it has been our defence which has really set the platform for our success.”
Match Stats
Blacktown City FC 4 (Gibbs 15, Macura 20’, Major 62’, Antelmi 86’)
South Coast Wolves 0
Sunday, June 7 2015
Lilys Football Centre, Seven Hills
Referee: Kelly Jones
Assistant Referees: Joon Park & Matthew Cassidy
Fourth Official: Karl Davies
Blacktown City FC: Vekic; Cairncross, Evans, Fragogiannis, Gibbs (Choi 62’), Lewis, Macura (Mallia 55’), Major, Perkatis (Araujo 83’), Speranza
Substitutes not used:Prendergrast, Perre
Yellow Cards: Macura 33’ Antelmi 56’
South Coast Wolves: Manos; Baldacchino Fielding (Griffin 77’), Mackenzie, Madden, Murray, O’Rourke, Simonoski, Stojic, Welch (Proia 62’)
Substitutes not used: Alsaad, Boutoubia, Hamilton
Yellow Cards: Mackenzie 50’
Player ratings:
3 – Patrick Antelmi (Blacktown)
2 – Yianni Perkatis (Blacktown)
1- Sasa Macura (Blacktown)
