Blacktown City managed a 1-0 defeat of Sydney United 58 at Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon with a lone goal from Mario Shabow the difference in the encounter.
Both sides took to the field in very unfamiliar mid-table positions compared to years gone by.
However, with the home side beginning to find a strong run of form, unbeaten in five, it was poised to be another fantastic encounter between two sides who rarely fail to entertain when coming head-to-head.
True to the billing, both sides began brightly, looking dangerous going forward.
United 58 attacker Patrick Antelmi found the back of the net in the 3rd minute however was found to be well offside in the build up.
Looking to find their first win in four, Blacktown City returned serve via the tricky Hiroaki Aoyama, who went centimeters from a telling blow twice in the 8th minute via balls from Charles Mendy and Grant Lynch that were picked off sharply by United 58 keeper Danijel Nizic.
As the half passed its midway point, it was Blacktown who was firmly in control of the ball.
Creating a host of half chances, it was a lack of composure that was the main culprit as the scores remained the same, much to the dismay of Blacktown coach Mark Crittenden.
Adding to this was Blacktown winger Charles Mendy who broke clean through in the 28th minute however fired wide from just inside the area.
35 minutes in, Blacktown forward Mario Shabow went as close as one could come with his curled effort bouncing off the left post, rolling along the goal line then off the right hand post before being scooped up by Nizic.
That would be the final chance in a first half very much dominated by the visitors, who were scratching their heads as they went to the sheds.
Picking up where they left off, Blacktown pressed early and finally found an opener in the 52nd minute through Shabow.
The forward met Mendy’s pass on the edge of the area, fizzing it past Nizic who was left rooted to the spot to score his first goal of the 2022 NPL NSW Men’s campaign.
As the match headed towards its closing stages, neither side had managed to create any clear cut chances however the home side was continuing to look more positive going forward via substitute winger Bailey Callaghan.
With seven minutes to play, Blacktown had goalkeeper Alexander Robertson to thank after the youngster acrobatically denied Adrian Vlastelica’s header from point blank range.
The home side threw bodies forward in a late attempt to find an equalizer.
They did find the net in the 92nd minute however Robertson was deemed to be fouled by Patrick Antelmi in his attempt to catch a lofted ball in the area.
Two minutes later it was Antelmi who found himself one-on-one with Robertson.
The forward was played through by left back Matthew Bilic however his deft touch on the ball fell straight into the arms of the Blacktown custodian.
That would be the final chance of the match with Blacktown taking all three points at the Sydney United Sports Centre in a performance that warranted them being the winners on the day.
It was a busy week for the home side who had to recover following their midweek Australia Cup Round 7 victory over the Northern Tigers which booked their ticket to the Round of 32.
Match Stats
Sydney United 58 FC 0
Blacktown City FC 1 (Mario Shabow 52’
Sunday, 19th June, 2022
Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park
Referee: Stephen Lucas
Assistant Referees: Matt Staples & Joon Park
Fourth Official: Aaron Bloch
Sydney United 58 FC: 1. Danijel Nizic, 3. Jordan Roberts, 4. Adrian Vlastelica, 5. Anthony Tomelic (10. Nicholas Zdrilic 24’), 6. Christopher Payne (14. Bailey Callaghan 58’), 9. Patrick Antelmi, 13. Jordan Ivancic (11. Yianni Perkatis 46’), 15. Tariq Maia, 17. Matthew Billic, 18. Glen Trifiro, 36. Adrian Knez (8. Kyle Cimenti 58’).
Substitutes Not Used: 2. Ante Vojvodic, 55. Goran Palecek.
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Blacktown City FC: 3. Daniel Collins, 4. Lachlan Campbell, 5. Grant Lynch, 8. Jak O’Brien, 10. Mario Shabow, 18. Nicholas O’Brien, 19. Adam Berry, 21. Charles Mendy (14. Caleb Jackson-Brown 85’), 24. Jackson Bandiera, 30. Alex Robinson, 32. Hiroaki Aoyama (6. Matthew Lewis 77’).
Substitutes Not Used: 9. Jake Trew, 16. Ben Berry, 22. Carlos De Oliveira, 40. Dylan Niski
Yellow Cards: Charles Mendy 82’
Red Cards: Nil