Hakoah end Blacktown City’s unbeaten streak
Fairy tales do come true and it is exactly what happened on Saturday night for Hakoah Sydney City East as they claimed a shock 3-1 win against Blacktown City FC during the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s clash at Hensley Athletic Field.
David overcame Goliath as the bottom of the table Hakoah put on a well-rounded performance against the previously unbeaten and top of the table Blacktown.
An early screamer to Hussein Akil as well as second half goals to Neil Jablonski and Jordan Mundell helped Sydney City East to only its second win of the season.
From the opening kick-off Hakoah were determined to prove they would not be push overs and it took only 10 minutes for the home side to make their mark.
Akil sent the crowd at Hensley Athletic Field into raptures when the left winger unleashed a stinging shot from 25 yards out which cannoned into the back of the net past the outstretched arms of a diving Tristan Prendergrast in the Blacktown City goal.
Blacktown City refused to let the goal affect their attacking drive and only moments later Mitch Mallia missed a golden opportunity in the 15th minute.
The winger found open space after he beat his defender and made a 25 yard run but could only hit his shot right into the arms of Hakoah goalkeeper Matthew McKenzie.
It would be a turning point in the match as Mark Robertson’s Hakoah side took control of possession and field position.
City keeper Prendergrast was kept busy as wave after wave of Hakoah attacks had the Blacktown defence on the back foot.
Aaron D’Mello and Neil Jablonski were the biggest threats for Hakoah as they searched for a second goal.
Connor Evans was left ruing a missed opportunity in the 35th minute as Blacktown spurned a rare first half opportunity.
A looping ball into the box was headed down by Sasa Macura into the path of Evans who could only air-swing from five yards out when he had only the keeper to beat.
At the other end of the field Hakoah had a missed chance of their own when Jablonski headed wide from six yards out after a pin point delivery from Lee Jones.
The visitors had a burst of energy in the dying moments of the half but it wasn’t enough as Hakoah Sydney City East took a 1-0 lead in to the half time break.
Strong words from Blacktown City coach Mark Crittenden inspired his side to find an extra gear in attack when they return from the break.
Travis Major had the first chance of the second half when Patrick Antelmi delivered a free kick from the western sideline but the striker sailed his header over the crossbar from only six yards out.
While Blacktown City held the upper hand in the second half, Hakoah were the first to score.
An incredible counter attacking move from the home side in the 55th minute was finished by Jordan Mundell to make it 2-0 after he received a classy assist from Jablonksi.
It sparked Hakoah into an incredible attacking run with Lee Jones unlucky to have not scored when his volley from 25 yards out ricocheted off the crossbar and onto the goal line before being cleared by the Blacktown City defence.
Crittenden looked to his substitutes bench in a desperate attempt to kick start a Blacktown City fightback.
The addition of Joey Gibbs made an instant impact with the lanky striker scoring Blacktown City’s first of the game with a tap in at the near post in the 65th minute.
But as soon as Blacktown City thought they were in with a shot, Hakoah captain Neil Jablonski quickly reminded them it was not going to be their night.
The burly striker cooly side footed past a diving Prendergrast after Blacktown lost possession at halfway
Hakoah defender Bradley Walker went inches away from adding a fourth goal.
The defender volleyed high over the crossbar from only metres out from goal with only the keeper to beat.
Over enthusiastic goalkeeping nearly cost Hakoah dearly in the 84th minute when shot stopper McKenzie handled the ball outside the 18 yard box.
From the ensuing free kick Joey Gibbs broke free of his marker but once again couldn’t control his header as it sailed high from close range.
It would be Blacktown’s last real chance as Hakoah held on for a historic win for the newly promoted side.
Hakoah Sydney City East coach Mark Robertson and his squad were on cloud nine after the match.
“The game was always a potential banana skin for Blacktown City and our boys executed our game plan perfectly to get the win,” Robertson said.
“It has taken a few weeks for the squad to gel and find our combinations, I have said since day one that we would be a side which would fire after round five.
“This win marks the start of our season.”
Poor finishing and poor discipline was the deciding factor according to Blacktown City coach Crittenden.
“We were very sloppy at times and paid the price,” Crittenden said.
“Too many opportunities went begging while Hakoah was able to hit the back of the net.
“We will go back to the drawing board and get ready for a big game next week.”
Match Stats
Hakoah Sydney City East: 3 (Akil 10’, Mundell 55’, Jablonski 70’)
Blacktown City FC: 1 (Gibbs 65’)
Saturday, April 16 2016
Hensley Athletic Field, Eastgardens
Referee: S. Lucas
Assistant Referees: A. Giev and R. Osbourne
Fourth Official: T. Harris
Hakoah Sydney City East: 40. MCKENZIE Matthew, 4. WALKER Bradley, 5. BOWDEN-HAASE Nathan, 7. HUSSEIN Akil (23. DEJONG Andre (31. LOPES Kevin 56’), 9. JABLONSKI Neil (12. ABBOTT Steve 72’), 11. RAE Gavin, 14. JONES Lee, 15. BANDUR Jacob, 16. ANDRICOPOULOS Costa, 17. MUNDELL Jordan, 18. D’MELLO Aaron
Substitutes not used: 3. BLUMBERG Dylan.
Yellow Cards: Matthew Mckenzie 3’, Aaron D’Mello 50’, Jacob Bandur 75’
Red Cards:
Blacktown City FC: 20. PRENDERGRAST Tristan, 3. SPERANZA Giorgio (9. GIBBS Joey 60’), 4. SPERANZA Roberto, 6. LEWIS Matthew, 7. MAJOR Travis 8. MACURA Sasa, 10. EVANS Connor (18. ASKEW Dakota 66’), 11. CHOI Danny, 14. MALLIA Mitchell, 16. ANTELMI Patrick (21. SASAKI Riku 60’) , 19. CAIRNCROSS Zach
Substitutes not used: 1. VEKIC Nenad, 12. GROZDANOVSKI Jonathan.
Yellow Cards: Giorgio Speranza 23’, Patrick Antelmi 59’, Roberto Speranza 69’, Zachary Cairncross 89’
Red Cards
Player Ratings
3 – Neil Jablonski (HSCE)
2 – Matthew McKenzie (HSCE)
1 – Joe Gibbs (BC)
