Blacktown City thwart White Eagles

A 72nd minute strike from Daniel Araujo was the difference as Blacktown City collected a 3-2 win against Bonnyrigg White Eagles in round 4 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition on Wednesday evening.

The match was scheduled to take place last Saturday at the Bonnyrigg Sports Club however poor weather played a role in the postponed of the match however the game was certainly brought to life on Wednesday.

Goals to James Andrew and Shayne D’Cunha combined with Araujo’s late strike to ensure Mark Crittenden’s side took home all three competition points.

It was a tough result to stomach for the home side after David Vrankovic and Hassan Jalloh helped Bonnyrigg to a 2-1 lead at the break.

However, it all fell apart for the home side in the second half with Blacktown clawing its way back yet again.

It was a fast start from Blacktown City FC.

Danny Choi was afforded enough space to fire an effort across goal which Bonnyrigg White Eagles custodian Stevan Savicic was forced to push onto the bar.

Two minutes later the visitors went close again from a Joey Gibbs free-kick. The talented striker curved it over the wall but smashed it against the goalpost and out.

Almost against the run of play, Bonnyrigg White Eagles took the lead. A scramble in the goalmouth allowed Vrankovic to sweep home for a 1-0 lead.

The home side had their tails up and could’ve made it two in the 19th minute as promising youngster Jalloh found space but the striker fired it wide.

For their endeavour, Blacktown City FC had their equaliser after 26 minutes.

Andrew latched onto a chipped pass before he evaded two defenders, placing it into the net for 1-1.

Once again the visitors fell back into their rhythm and a pair of chances for Gibbs and Connor Evans signalled warning signings for Brian Brown’s men.

Bonnyrigg White Eagles profited from the visitors wasteful nature just before the break.

Jalloh made up for his earlier miss as he galloped to the edge of the box to smash the ball home for a 2-1 advantage.

The second half was to be a different tale as a flurry of goals soon followed.

It was Blacktown City FC that was the first to find themselves with an opportunity.

Defender D’Cunha rose highest from a delightful cross to thump his header into the back of the net to level the scores at 2-2. As he did in round 1 of the competition when he earned his side a valuable point against Hakoah Sydney City East, D’Cunha showed yet again why he is one of the finest defenders running around in NSW’s elite competition.

Bonnyrigg White Eagles best chance came in the 59th minute as a nice movement found Troy Danaskos free but he sprayed his effort wide.

The visitors found their first lead of the contest on 72 minutes, as a neat back heel pass from captain Matthew Lewis found substitute Araujo free in the box. The midfielder wasted no time and fired into the back of the net to make it 3-2.

In a tense final ten minutes, Bonnyrigg pressed forward but couldn’t find a third goal.

City dug deep to hold on until the final whistle.

Blacktown City FC coach Mark Crittenden stated it was his side’s fitness which helped them prevail.

"I thought we had enough chances tonight. We hit the post four times in the first half. I would’ve been disappointed if we didn’t take all three points tonight." Crittenden said.

Bonnyrigg White Eagles coach said Brian Brown a few mistakes cost his side.

"We are pretty thin on and against a quality Blacktown side. Our lack of depth cost in the end,” he said.

"I thought we were reasonably comfortable after the first half. Just a few defensive errors that cost us really.”

Match Stats

Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 2 (Vrankovic 10’, Jalloh 37’)

Blacktown City FC: 3 (Andrew 26’, D’Cunha 52’, Araujo 72’)

Wednesday, March 28 2017

Bonnyrigg Sports Club 

Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 3. David VRANKOVIC, 5. Adam JENNER(McDonald), 6. Zachary MACKENZIE, 7. Greg KONDEK, 8. Troy DANASKOS(Shaw), 10. Martin LO, 12. Mun-Soo GIL, 15. Raymond MILLER, 16. Samuel GALLAWAY(Ivanovic), 20. Stevan SAVICIC, 21. Hassan JALLOH

Substitutes not used: 13. James McKENZIE and 77. Max Rowston

Yellow cards: Kondek, McDonald, Shaw

Red cards: nil

Blacktown City FC: 1. Tristian PRENDERGAST, 3. Giorgio SPERANZA, 4. Roberto SPERANZA, 6. Matthew LEWIS, 9. Joey GIBBS, 10. Connor EVANS, 11. Danny CHOI(Araujo), 12. James ANDREW(Lynch), 14. Mitchell MALLIA, 15. Shayne D’CUNHA, 19. Zachary CAIRNCROSS(Beumie)

Substitutes not used: 20. Matthew SYMES, 22. Yuta KONAGAYA

Yellow cards: Cairncross, Lynch, Speranza

Red cards: nil

Player Ratings:

3 – Danny Choi (BFC)

2 – James Andrew (BFC)

1 – Hassan Jalloh (BWE)

-By Justin Davies, FootballNSW reporter