Blacktown City close in on Premiership
Blacktown City strengthened its PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Premiership credentials after defeating struggling Parramatta 3-1 in a scrappy contest at Melita Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The visitors cantered to a 2-0 lead at half time thanks to Zac Cairncross’ opener and a Mitch Mallia penalty.
A fine solo effort from Victor Anyimba reduced the deficit for Parramatta but hopes of a fightback were extinguished by a late goal from Connor Evans.
The result leaves City six points ahead of second-placed APIA Leichhardt following the Tigers’ shock 2-1 defeat to Sydney FC on Saturday night.
Parramatta offered a spirited second half display but were ultimately outclassed by the premiership favourites who consigned the embattled club to their tenth consecutive defeat.
The visitors had to be patient but broke the deadlock from an Evans corner in the final ten minutes of the first half where Cairncross put away his second goal of the season at the back post following a goalmouth scramble.
Blacktown should’ve doubled their lead shortly after when Mallia picked out an unmarked Grant Lynch from a free kick but the City defender looped his header onto the roof of the net.
Parramatta had otherwise defended stoutly throughout the first half but a rash challenge inside the box from Eagles defender Yuya Samba on Blacktown forward Peter Cejka saw Mallia put the visitors in cruise control from the penalty spot.
The Eagles had failed to test Blacktown gloveman Tristan Prendergast in the opening half but halved the deficit with their first meaningful foray on goal when Anyimba pulled a goal back minutes into the second half.
The recent Hills Brumbies arrival showed great balance and power to drive towards goal from distance while skipping over several Blacktown challenges before poking the ball beyond Prendergast for his first strike in Parramatta colours.
Anyimba nearly gave Parramatta an unlikely equalizer midway through the half but saw a shot from point blank range expertly blocked by Cairncross.
The hosts continued to rally but were unable to pick their way through a dogged City outfit and were put to the sword with ten minutes remaining when a Mallia corner evaded Parramatta keeper Corey Finch and landed at the feet of Evans who added Blacktown’s third.
City assistant Luke Roodenburg hailed a positive end to a week which saw Blacktown beaten 3-0 by APIA Leichhardt in the Waratah Cup semi-final.
“We were obviously disappointed by what happened midweek and it’s a difficult pitch to come and play on here so we’re delighted with the three points,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to a rest next week – then we have five games to win.”
Although unable to prevent another defeat, Parramatta FC assistant coach Paul Carter said there were plenty of positives to take from the performance.
“Blacktown is probably the best side in the league at the moment and at the end of the day they haven’t scored against us in open play today.”
Match Stats
Parramatta 1 (Anyimba 51’)
Blacktown City 3 (Cairncross 35’, Mallia 45’ (P), Evans 81’)
Sunday 2nd July 2017
Melita Stadium, Sefton
Parramatta FC: 11. Nikita Andricopoulos, 17. Victor Anyimba (15. Cameron Juntree 70’), 7. Ryan Blakeley, 12. Marcus Donatiello, 40. Corey Finch, 8. Ahmad Hasanzadah, 10. Johnny Kontos (18. Adrian Cocaro 78’), 2. Bibek Panta, 4. Marcus Plataniotis, 5. Yuya Samba, 3. Nathan Tsioulos
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Stefan Giglio, 14. George Panayi, 8. Anthony Morena
Yellow Cards: Donatiello 25’, Kontos 37’, Tsioulos 90+2’
Red Cards: N/A
Blacktown City: 8. Daniel Araujo (17. Lewis Beumie 83’), 19. Zachary Cairncross, 23. Pete Cejka (9. Joey Gibbs 54’), 10. Connor Evans, 22. Yuta Konagaya, 5. Matthew Lewis, 6. Grant Lynch, 14. Mitchell Mallia, 1. Tristan Prendergast, 16. Mark Rodic, 4. Roberto Speranza (12. James Andrew 45’)
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Tomislav Romic
