Points shared between two heavyweights

Blacktown City has held out a rampant Sydney United 58 in the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Round 11 fixture at Lilys Football Centre.

In a replay of the 2016 PS4 NPL NSW Men’s Grand Final, the Reds came into the game coming off a seven-game winning streak and at times looked like they would topple the competition’s best.

However, City maintained a strong defensive game and were able to keep them out before nearly stealing it on several occasions.

It was a fierce PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Grand Final rematch with both side’s surely happy to take home a point.

Sydney United 58 got off to a fast start, threatening but not troubling the hosts net on several occasions.

Anthony Tomelic was the first to have an effort at goal when a Yutaro Shin flick on off a corner ended at the defender’s feet. His effort went both high and wide.

United were controlling the midfield well with Blacktown struggling to play out of their half. Glen Trifiro tested the goalkeeper although his effort was saved comfortably.

Not far from the play was Panny Nikas, his first effort only just missed the far post with a curling effort.

However, the hosts tightened the game up and Mitch Malia found himself on the break only to see his shot deflected wide into the side netting.

The visitors thought they had the opening goal when Glen Trifiro hit the ball well, only to see his shot go marginally wide.

It was the hosts turn to think they had taken the league. Malia found himself on the end of a wonderful ball from deep. Only to find he had headed it wide.

The second half saw a formation change for the hosts in an attempt to change the game. It seemed to work with the visitors restricted to set piece chances.

However, it was even too far out for Nikas who didn’t really trouble the keeper with two of his free kicks being saved and defended well.

The addition of James Andrew sparked the City attack with the winger finding himself with two good opportunities to open the scoring.  Only some quality keeping from Thomas Manos was able to stop him from breaking the deadlock.

It was then a case of oh so close with both sides denied late on. Malia took a marauding run down the right side only to be denied by desperate defence.

At the other end of the park Sydney United 58’s Matt Sim then nearly found the head of Nic Olsen with a cross. Unfortunately, the ball floated agonizingly over his head.

The chance of the match then fell to Andrew with his shot blocked by the visitor’s defence once again after a counter led by Joey Gibbs.

The final chance fell to home substitute Ken Chun whose volley was saved well.

Blacktown City Coach Mark Crittenden said that the draw was a fair result.

“Both sides just put themselves about and they both pretty much nullified each other.

“It was a fair result."

Sydney United 58’s Panny Nikas too was content with the Reds picking up a point away from home.

“In recent years, we’ve got nothing here, it was going to take a mistake today and it didn’t come about."

Match Stats

Blacktown City FC: 0

Sydney United 58 FC: 0

Sunday, May 21 2017

Lilys Football Stadium, Seven Hills

Referee: Kurt Ams

Assistant Referees: J. Tesoriero & J. Bell 

Fourth Official: H. Carwardine

Blacktown City: 1. Tristan Prendergast, 3. Giorgio Speranza, 4. Roberto Speranza, 5. Grant Lynch (46’ 12. James Andrew), 6. Matthew Lewis, 8. Daniel Araujo, 9. Joey Gibbs (79’ 21. Ken Chun), 10. Connor Evans, 14. Mitchell Mallia, 15. Shayne D’Cunha, 19. Zach Cairncross.

Substitutes not used: 17. Lewis Beumie, 20 Matt Symes, 22. Yuta Konagaya

Yellow Cards: 8. Daniel Araujo

Red Cards:

Sydney United 58 FC: 21. Thomas Manos, 3. Riley Woodcock (87’ 2. Kris Vlismas), 5. Anthony Tomelic, 6. Tomislav Uskok, 7. Yutaro Shin (9. Adrian Vranic), 8. Matthew Sim, 17. Matthew Bilic, 18. Glen Trifiro, 20. Peter Markovic, 23. Panagiotis Nikas, 32. Nicholas Olsen (75’ 16. Stepjan Paric).

Substitutes not Used: 14. Nick Stavroulakis, 40. Lucas Pervan

Yellow Cards:

Red Cards:

Player Ratings

3-  Shayne D’Cunha (BC)

2- Tomislav Uskok (SU)

1- Zach Cairncross (BC)

-By Justin Smith, PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Reporter