Andrew leads Blacktown City charge

A James Andrew double has helped Blacktown City defeat Bonnyrigg White Eagles 3-2 in an entertaining Round 14 PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s clash at Lily’s Football Centre.

The former Sutherland attacker struck his seventh and eighth goals of the campaign either side of half time to spearhead City to their third win in a row and ensure they remain level on points with leaders APIA Leichhardt.

Bonnyrigg took a surprise lead through a Giorgio Speranza own goal but quickfire efforts from Mitch Mallia and Andrew midway through the first half saw the hosts grip hold of the contest.

And although City relinquished their lead on the stroke of half time when David Vrankovic equalized for the visitors, Andrew’s second ten minutes into the second stanza and the sending off of Bonnyrigg midfielder Greg Kondek early in the half saw Mark Crittenden’s side grind their way to three points.

Blacktown had kept the opposition scoreless in each of their last three matches but found themselves behind inside fifteen minutes when Troy Danaskos’ cross was headed goalward by Shervin Adeli and deflected into his own net by Giorgio Speranza.

Bonnyrigg’s advantage didn’t last long and it took one lapse in concentration from the White Eagles rearguard to allow James Andrew through on goal with the attacker sliding the ball to Mitch Mallia for a simple tap in.

Andrew was wreaking havoc with his bursts beyond the defence and got himself on the scoresheet after beating James Chronopoulos to a long ball from Giorgio Speranza before tucking the ball into an empty net.

The former Sutherland winger should’ve added to his tally after breaking into the clear again but couldn’t cleanly round Chonropoulos and allowed the Bonnyrigg defence to recover. Daniel Araujo also enjoyed an excellent chance to add a third minutes later after superb work on the byline from Mallia.

Although the visitors were riding their luck defensively, Brian Brown’s side did manage to craft chances of their own and it took a solid save from City keeper Tristan Prendergast to deny White Eagles marksman Hassan Jalloh at the near post.

But the White Eagles did find an equalizing goal on the cusp of half time when a fierce drive from Shervin Adeli bounced into the path of Vrankovic who made no mistake from close range.

Blacktown restored their advantage ten minutes after half time when Andrew steered Joey Gibbs’ cutback past Chronopoulos before Greg Kondek’s second yellow card reduced the visitors to ten men.

The hosts created several opportunities to add a match-sealing fourth but Gibbs, Mallia and Andrew all saw efforts denied by Chronopoulos, while new arrival Peter Cejka missed a good opportunity to mark his debut with a goal.

Bonnyrigg gaffer Brian Brown lamented another poor occasion for the White Eagles following the match.

“Everything that could go wrong is going wrong for us at the moment,” he said.

“We went down to ten players and I think we actually played better, so I’m proud of the boys.”

Blacktown City assistant coach Luke Roodenburg said his side was given a bit of scare but praised they way they held their own to secure the three points.

“We were disappointed at half time given the goals we had conceded – that’s what happens when you have a lot of defensive changes,” he said.

“It was a bit of a battle today but we’re at the stage of the season where we just need the three points to stay at the top.

“Our goal is to win the league and we just need to be picking up points.”

Blacktown City continue their pursuit of APIA Leichhardt next weekend when they face Wollongong at WIN Stadium on Sunday.

The reigning champions will be hoping the White Eagles aid their premiership assault when Bonnyrigg host the competition leading Tigers on Saturday evening.

Match Stats

Blacktown City 3 (Mallia 25’, Andrew 31’, 56’)

Bonnyrigg White Eagles 2 (G. Speranza OG 15’, Vrankovic 41’)

Sunday 11th June 2017,

Lilys Football Centre, Seven Hills

Blacktown City: 12. James Andrew (17. Lewis Beumie 80’), 8. Daniel Araujo (23. Pete Cejka 75’), 21. Bo Hyun Chun (22. Yuta Konayaga 69’), 10. Connor Evans, 9. Joey Gibbs, 6. Matthew Lewis, 5. Grant Lynch, 14. Mitchell Mallia, 1. Tristan Prendergast, 3. Giorgio Speranza, 4. Roberto Speranza

Substitutes Not Used: 20. Dylan Niski, 16. Mark Bodic

Yellow Cards: 8. Daniel Araujo 73’, 14. Mitchell Mallia 87’

Red Cards:

Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 37. Shervin Adeli, 1. James Chronopoulos, 8. Troy Danaskos, 16. Samuel Gallaway, 12. Gil Mun-Soo, 27. Luke Ivanovic (18. Asmir Kadric 45’), 21. Hassan Jalloh (11. Benjamin Spruce 84’), 7. Gregory Kondek, 13. James Mckenzie, 3. David Vrankovic, 36. Nikola Zonjic

Substitutes Not Used: 14. Taylor Mcdonald, 20. Stevan Savicic, 28. Nick Krljar

Yellow Cards: 8. Troy Danaskos 23’, 7. Gregory Kondek 55’, 58’

Red Cards: 7. Gregory Kondek 58’