Blacktown City sizzle over Manly United

A ruthless attacking display from Blacktown City has confirmed a long awaited rematch with Sydney United 58 after a 4-1 demolition of Manly United at Lily’s Football Stadium on Sunday.

Goals to Danny Choi, Travis Major, Patrick Antelmi and Joey Gibbs was enough to end Manly United’s 11 game PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Men’s unbeaten streak and lock in a Semi-finals berth next week.

Manly had no answers for the Mark Crittenden coached Blacktown side  with Adam Parkhouse’s second half goal a mere consolation.

A goal in the first three minutes from Choi set the tone for the match with Blacktown never looking back.

Manly’s finals hopes are not all over despite the loss with Paul Dee’s men to take on Bonnyrigg White Eagles at Cromer Park in a do or die semi-final clash.

Blacktown City were like a shot out of a canon after the opening whistle with the Seven Hill’s based side heaping mountains of attacking pressure on their Northern Beaches rivals.

It was an effective strategy from Blacktown with Danny Choi giving the home fans plenty to smile about after only two minutes.

Receiving the ball at the edge of the penalty area, Choi unleashed a rasping shot which curled around the outstretched arms of Manly shot stopper Dylan Mitchell.

Blacktown held the upper hand and refused to take their foot off the pedal with the home side creating a string of half- chances inside the first 15 minutes of the match.

Manly slowly battled their way back into the game midway through the first stanza transforming the match into a battle of attrition in midfield.

Fresh from inking a one-year deal with A-League club Wellington Phoenix, Manly United winger Adam Parkhouse had the visitors first true chance with a powerful shot from the eastern side of the field which sailed across the face of goal.

In the 40th minute Mitchell did his best to deny Blacktown from doubling its lead just before the halftime break when he blocked a point blank shot from Travis Major.

Manly clung on to go into the break behind by only one when it could’ve been a very different story had City capitalised on all its chances.

Paul Dee’s Manly side needed to find something extra when the returned to the pitch and Richie Cardozo led by example by firing a shot at Nenad Vekic moments after the restart.

However, Blacktown City were on a mission and their attacking onslaught was far from over.

Mitchell was called into action in quick succession to deny Major and Giorgio Speranza.

The Manly shot stopper had proven to be the visitors best defence but ironically it was a Mitchell error that led to Blacktown doubling its lead in the 6oth minute.

Racing out to clear the ball, Mitchell was dispossessed by Danny Choi on the eastern sideline with the winger delivering a pinpoint cross for Travis Major to fire home.

Only five minutes later it was 3-0.

Patrick Antelmi drilled another nail into Manly’s coffin with a powerful shot which hit the back of the net from outside the penalty area,

Manly refused to give up and opened their account only a minute later courtesy of Parkhouse.

The winger was in the right place at the right time to take advantage of a rare Blacktown defensive lapse.

Manly threw everything forward but Blacktown wasn’t finished scoring goals.

A slick breakaway from Patrick Antelmi in the dying stages added a further exclamation to Blacktown’s victory when he squared to Joey Gibbs to tap home after beating the keeper.

Blacktown City assistant coach Luke Roodenburg gave a glowing appraisal of his side’s 4-1 domination.

“It was a great performance from the boys today and with an FFA Cup clash in a few days it is a great confidence builder,” he said.

“In the first half I thought we probably gave away possession a bit too much but the players really responded after the break.

“Sydney United 58 next week will be a tough challenge. They have hands down been the best side in the competition this year but with a big performance like today we should be able to get a result.

Manly captain Brendan Cholakian was staying positive despite the result.

“It was an unfortunate result but it isn’t the end of our season,” he said.

“Next week we have a chance to do it all again against Bonnyrigg and we will make sure to learn from our mistakes this week.

“As a team we have shown we can beat the top sides in this competition so there is plenty of confidence that we can bounce back."

Match Stats

Blacktown City FC (Choi 3’ Major 59’, Antelmi 65’ Gibbs 87’)

Manly United 1 (Parkhouse 67’)

Qualifying Final

Lily’s Football Stadium, Seven Hills

Sunday, August 21 2016

Referee: Adrian Arndt

Assistant Referees: A Giev & J Park

Fourth Official: Adam Susz

Blacktown City FC: 1. Nenad VEKIC, 3. Giorgio SPERANZA, 4. Roberto SPERANZA, 6. Matt LEWIS, 7. Travis MAJOR, 8. Sasa MACURA, 10. Connor EVANS (15. Shane D’CUNYA 83’), 11. Danny CHOI, 14. Mitch MALLIA (16. Patrick ANTELMI 45′) , 19. Zach CAIRNCROSS, 21. Riku SASAKI ( 9. Joey GIBBS 60’)

Substitutes: 12. Jonathan GROZDANOVSKI, 20 Tristan PENDERGRAST

Yellow Cards: NIL

Manly United: 1. Dylan MITCHELL, 2. Kieren PAULL, 3. Jamie LOBB, 4. Travis OUGHTRED, 6. Sam GALLAGHER, 7. Travis COOPER (5. Rhys WILLIAMS 53′), 9. Richard CARDOZO, 10. Brendan CHOLAKIAN, 11. Adam PARKHOUSE (13. Scott BALDERSON 70’), Shane CANSDELL-SHERIFF (18. Daniel BRAGG 78′), 21. Joseph FOX.

Substitutes: 16. Sapin BERTI, 20. Shaun CATLIN

Yellow Cards: Joseph Fox 36′, Scott Balderson 75′

Player Ratings

3 Danny Choi (Blacktown City)

2 Matt Lewis (Blacktown City)

1 Adam Parkhouse (Manly)