Blacktown City dominate hapless Sharks

Blacktown City FC cruised to a 2-0 victory against Sutherland Sharks during their PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s clash at Seymour Shaw on Saturday.

Goals to winger and former Sharks youngster James Andrew and Joey Gibbs helped the visitors secure all three points and put the pressure on top side APIA Leichhardt Tigers in the battle for the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Premiership.

It was the Andrew show in the first half as the winger, making his first appearance at Seymour Shaw since leaving the club at the end of last season, terrorised the Sutherland defence in a man of the match performance.

Sutherland’s cause wasn’t helped by a 35th minute red card from Christopher McStay as they struggled to break down an in-form Blacktown outfit.

It was a brighter start than in previous weeks from the Sharks with a 4th minute Christopher McStay header went inches wide of City goalkeeper Tristian Prendergast’s post.

The game settled down in the 15th minute when Blacktown City’s no nonsense defender Zachary Cairncross was forced off with an injury. His replacement Andrew proceeded to light up the contest.

The substitute opened the scoring with a lovely solo effort as he guided himself around defenders before slotting home under Sharks keeper Nikolas Loe.

Tomohiro Kajiyama played a lone hand for the Sharks in the first half. The striker put a tame effort right at Prendergast before minutes later the Blacktown City keeper was forced to smother another Kajiyama shot to keep it 1-nil.

Things got worse for the already trailing Sharks, as they were reduced to ten when Christopher McStay was shown a red card after a late challenge on a Blacktown City player.

Blacktown City FC used their man advantage to full effect a minute later. Andrew again involved as he was brought down in the box. Joey Gibbs stepped up and converted to make it 2-0.

Mitchell Mallia had the chance to make it three in the 41st minute but some brave keeping from Loe kept it at 2-0 going into the break.

Sutherland Sharks coach Grant Lee asked his side to show some more attack in the second half and they opened up Blacktown City FC a few times.

Nathan Elasi smashed one against the crossbar as Blacktown City FC keeper Prendergast could only watch.

Andrew continued to use his pace to threaten as he skipped into the box. At times it looked like the winger was the Harlem Globetrotters against the Washington Generals such was his dominance every time he received the ball.

The Sharks were unlucky not to find the net late on as Elasi once again had a header in the net, but it was chalked off due to offside.

Blacktown City were able to see out the rest of the contest to take all three points.

Afterwards Blacktown boss Mark Crittenden was happy with the effort backing up from a midweek FFA Cup match.

"We had to make a couple of changes after the cup. To back up tonight and get the result I was very happy with it," he said.

“He (Andrew) has pace to burn and we are glad to have him at Blacktown City FC. He has scored six or seven goals and I’m very happy with him."

Despite the loss Sutherland Sharks boss Grant Lee was happy with the effort.

"We still do some stupid things at critical moments which cost us. Missed a couple of tackles then we concede the goal." Said Lee.

"I think [Nikolas] Loe had one save to make. We hit the crossbar several times and I can’t fault the effort of the boys."

Match Stats

Sutherland Sharks 0

Blacktown City 2 (Andrew ’17, Gibbs ’36)

Saturday, June 3 2017

Seymour Shaw, Miranda

Referee: S. Lucas

Assistant Referees: J. Tesoriero & M. McOrist

Fourth Official: A. Brett

Sutherland Sharks: 3. MURAYAMA Takuya (WATSON ’45), 4. KAYES Stephen, 5. LITTLER Nicholas, 6. GORDON Matthew (DA SILVA J. ’67), 8. MCSTAY Christopher, 9. KAJIYAMA Tomohiro, 11. ELASI Nathan, 12. BROWN Blair, 13. COX Jeremy (LOPES ’77), 14. O’SHEA Patrick and 21. LOE Nikolas

Substitutes not used: 1. DENHAM Nathan, 18. DA SILVA Santos

Yellow cards: Brown, Elasi

Red cards: McStay

Blacktown City FC: 1. PRENDERGAST Tristian, 3. SPERANZA Giorgio, 4. SPERANZA Roberto, 5. LYNCH Grant 6. LEWIS Matthew, 8. ARAUJO Daniel (KONAGAYA ’64), 9. GIBBS Joey, 10. EVANS Connor, 14. MALLIA Mitchell (BEUMIE ’80), 19. CAIRNCROSS Zachary (ANDREW ’15), 21. CHUN Bo-Hyun

Substitutes not used: 16. IRELAND Mason and 20. SYMES Matthew

Yellow cards: Cairncross

Red cards: nil

*Player Ratings hidden with points going towards the Team of the Year to be released at the conclusion of the 2017 PS4 NPL NSW Men’s season 

-By PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Justin Davies