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Blacktown City FC vs Inter Lions, Sunday 27 August, 4pm, Landen Stadium

Blacktown City FC welcome Inter Lions to Landen Stadium for their game to be played on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts were beaten 2-0 by South Coast Flame FC in their game on Saturday night down at Sir Ian McLennan Oval.

It has been a frustrating season for Blacktown City FC who will look to end their second season in League One Women’s with two more wins.

They will look to their forwards in Alyse-May McCutcheon and Jenny Hughes to reverse their earlier loss to Inter Lions.

Inter Lions featured in the Match of the Round and were beaten 8-0 by St George FC at Ilinden Sports Centre last weekend.

Ella Rochester came off the bench and was a bright spark for Inter Lions on the wing and will look to replicate that performance on Sunday afternoon.

Adrian Contarino has returned to the club to help guide their turnaround in both the last fortnight and into the 2024 campaign.

By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)

Rockdale Ilinden FC v Blacktown City FC

3:00 pm, Sunday 27 August, Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre

The competition’s entertainers Rockdale Ilinden take on Blacktown City at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday, seeking a strong finish to an excellent campaign.

Ilinden’s title hopes were all but extinguished last Friday night, conceding in the last seconds to draw 2-2 with Sydney FC.

Jaden Casella and Alec Urosevski had the team in the lead heading into stoppage time, they couldn’t hold on, though.

There remains a small chance of title glory for Rockdale if they overturn a 12-goal deficit on goal difference and APIA lose to St George City.

With the competition’s Golden Boot star Urosevski on their side, you never know, although it will be a tall order against one of the best second half of the season teams in City.

Blacktown City also drew last weekend, to contrast, scoring in the final moments to snatch a point.

Carlos De Oliveira scored in the 89th minute as they took a point against Wollongong Wolves.

Blacktown moved into third after that result, but they’ll likely need to win again to hold onto it with Marconi Stallions just a point below and St George City just two behind that.

Rockdale won against Blacktown earlier in the season with plenty of late drama in the game.

These have been two of the best teams in the competition in 2023, and they’ll both want to finish with a bang.

Preview by Timothy Gibson, on Twitter @Timg123_

South Coast Flame FC 2 defeated Blacktown City FC 0

South Coast Flame FC were 2-0 winners against Blacktown City FC down at Sir Ian McLennan Oval on Saturday night.

The Flame ran hot and took their winning streak to four games, holding down fifth spot and kept alive their faint finals hopes. Bronte Trew gave the Flame a 1-0 lead with her 25^th goal of the campaign in the 22^nd minute.

It was a double delight for Trew in the second half. The striker confirmed the win in the 89^th minute and stretched her advantage at the top of the League One Women’s golden boot standings. South Coast Flame FC play their catch-up game against Marconi Stallions on Tuesday night.

Blacktown City and Wollongong Wolves shared the spoils as the two battled for a 1-1 in Round 29 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition at Landen Stadium.

In a classic game of two halves, it was fitting that both teams took home a point after Wollongong dominated the first half and Blacktown City the second.

Both goals arrived in the second stanza of play when Takumi Ofuka scored early for Wollongong before Carlos De Oliveira struck late for Blacktown City.

Wollongong Wolves almost took the lead in the 7^th minute. A nice through ball by Chris McStay from midfield reached a galloping Jake Trew who proceeded to place his finish against the post with goalkeeper Cayden Henderson well beaten.

A few minutes later Alex Masciovecchio sliced his diagonal shot from the right just wide of the goal as the Wolves once again came close to breaking the early deadlock.

On the half-hour mark, Walter Scott came ever so close for the visitors after receiving a very long through ball from the back, but he was brilliantly denied by Henderson who turned the ball over the crossbar for a corner with a beautiful one-handed save.

Blacktown City replied almost immediately when captain Matthew Lewis, playing in his final home game for the club before retiring, crossed nicely from the left to Travis Major in the middle but his header was straight at goalkeeper Tomas Butkovic. It was the closest the home side had been up until that point in the encounter.

Wollongong were again denied just prior to the break by a brilliant save by Henderson with his feet. McStay won the ball in midfield and then found Lachlan Scott who in turn provided a delightful ball to Masciovecchio in the middle of the box, but the latter’s drive was well met by the Blacktown City custodian coming off his line to close the space.

Both sides entered the sheds shortly afterwards scoreless but in reality, Wollongong could have been at least a couple of goals up.

The first opportunity in the second stanza of play was the opening goal of the encounter and no surprise that it was Wollongong’s strike in the 49^th minute. A sharp cross by Masciovecchio from the right reached Takumi Ofuka in the middle and the Japanese striker fired in from close range. It was all too simple as the home fans remained subdued in the stands.

In the 58^th minute though Blacktown City had a great chance to equalise when a pinpoint accurate cross from the right by Tyren Burnie reached Jak O’Brien in the middle, but his header was only a fraction wide of the intended target.

On the turn from just outside the box in the 69^th minute Major fired just wide for the home side as the men-in-black desperately tried to even the ledger.

In the 75^th minute coach Mark Crittenden gave Lewis a rest and the captain of the home side made his way to the bench to a wonderful ovation from the home fans, who have truly appreciated a superb playing career at Blacktown City going back to when he started in the Under 10’s.

In the 85^th minute Carlos De Oliveira couldn’t control his volley on the run and fired over from very close range after receiving a great cross by Major charging down the right flank.

A minute later Major was once again provider with a long cross from the right which reached Burnie in the box, but his header finished against the post.

Right at the death in regular time Blacktown City did indeed equalise. Almost from nothing, the ball made its way into the middle where De Oliveira slotted home through a crowded box to the delight of the home faithful.

After the game Blacktown City coach Mark Crittenden praised his team.

“We were a bit flat in the first half but, at the end of the day, we got what we deserved [a point],” he said.

“In the second half we conceded early which isn’t good enough, but we showed our quality and showed our desire to get back. We could have snuck a late one and got away with the game too.

“It’s been a great season to be in the top three and every other year we would be playing in a final series with a finish like that, but this year we are not. We will turn up next week to Rockdale and try to win and maintain our undefeated run.”

His counterpart David Carney of Wollongong Wolves was also praiseworthy of his young team.

“Two points got away from us which is the same as last week,” he said.

“I thought we were excellent especially in the first half. To come to a hard place like Blacktown, against a team in great form and for us to play the way we did, I thought was excellent.

“I said to the lads at the end that I was really proud of them, but we really have to take our chances and the game should have been put to bed for us much earlier.

“We are now seventh which is in the top half, and I think it has been an excellent season considering where we finished last year. It’s a completely new team and a very young team, and to perform the way we have has been great.”

Match Stats

BLACKTOWN CITY: 1 (De Oliveira 89’)

WOLLONGONG WOLVES: 1 (Ofuka 49’)

Sunday 20^th August 2023

Landen Stadium, Seven Hills

Referee: Karl Davies
Assistant Referees: James Makris and Arinath Gobinath

Fourth Official: Blake Sanchez-Cruz

BLACKTOWN CITY FC: 20. Cayden Henderson, 4. Lachlan Campbell, 5. Grant Lynch (16. Ben Berry 70’), 6. Matthew Lewis (14. Caleb Jackson-Brown 75’), 7. Travis Major, 8. Jak O’Brien, 9. Reuben Awaritefe (22. Carlos De Oliveira 46’), 10. Mario Shabow, 12. Tyren Burnie, 18. Nicholas O’Brien, 19. Adam Berry.

Substitutes not used: 1. Brodie Denton, 15. Ignacio Palacios Corral.

Yellow Cards: Major 89’, A. Berry 93’

Red Cards: Nil

WOLLONGONG WOLVES FC: 13. Tomas Butkovic, 5. Banri Kanaizumi, 7. Marcus Beattie, 8. Samuel Risk, 9. Takumi Ofuka, 14. Jake Trew, 21. Ethan Beavan, 23. Walter Scott, 24. Lachlan Scott, 25. Alex Masciovecchio (11. Nav Daniel 75’), 88. Chris McStay.

Substitutes not used: 1. Nenad Vekic, 4. Dax Kelly, 6. Senna Stevenson, 10. Damon Gray, 99. Sebastain Hernandez.

Yellow Cards: L. Scott 25’, Beavan 64’, Risk 88’, W. Scott 92

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Marcus Beattie (WW)

2 – Alex Masciovecchio (WW)

1 – Travis Major (BC)

By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Joe Russo

The glass ceiling for women sport has been broken….and there’s no turning back.

SPECIAL PANEL DISCUSSION / Q & A led by Blacktown FC Executive Chairman, Bob Turner and a team of insiders.

The Matildas recent World Cup achievements have pushed women sport through the glass ceiling and galvanised Australia in respect of our female athletes and what (and how) they can achieve. In this compelling presentation one of Australia’s most successful sports marketers and coaches, Bob Turner, assembles team of insiders to explore the growing success of women in sports with unique insights and predictions. Some of the issues to be explored include:

• ·       Pay scales.
• ·       Marketing.
• ·       Styles of play.
• ·       Leadership.
• ·       Development paths.
• ·       And more…

The Panel

Bob Turner – is executive chairman of Blacktown FC, winners of 2022 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Championship. Bob has been actively engaged as head coach, general manager, managing director and part owner of four NBL teams and in 2010 was the driving force in the resurrection of the Sydney Kings.  In 1999 he was honoured by Basketball Australia and the NBL as a Hall of Fame inductee. His personal success as a basketball player, coach, marketer, administrator, and businessman is a unique combination in the business world and he has been actively engaged by corporate associates to present and develop a variety of issues including team building, motivation, success and leadership.

David ‘Dok’ O’Keefe – Head of Women’s Football at Blacktown City and tasked with the goal of reaching NPL 1 status within three years.  Dok built the Barker College Football program and achieved a similar role with Sydney University.

Kiara Rochiax – In her second season with Blacktown City, women’s captain Kiara Rochiax is one of the best goalies in the competition, this talented athlete has many scouts watching her games.  A former Under 19 All School Australian representative, Kiara is a leader both on and off the field.

Mark Crittenden – Regarded as one of the Premier coaches in NSW, mark has led the organisation both on and off the field to establish an exceptional culture for the club.  He has been a main driver in the establishment of the Blacktown City Senior Women’s Team and assisted in building a similar culture.

Matt Lewis – The longest serving player in Blacktown City FC history, men’s captain Matt Lewis, has played a record 376 games for his club. Recognition of his contribution came with the annual Matt Lewis medal.  Matt played his youth with Blacktown City before being recruited to the Central Coast Mariners.  After leaving CCM, he returned to play for Blacktown Head of Football, Mark Crittenden.

Individual Trailblazers like Dawn Fraser, Raelene Boyle, Susie O’Neil and Cathy Freeman established the cornerstones for Australian female sports representation.  Teams like the Opals, Diamonds, Hockeyroos and Women’s Ashes team have made Australia proud on the world stage and further set the foundation stones for National integrity and success.  Now the Matildas have set new standards for women in sports everywhere!

Register now for this FREE event at Sticky Tickets CLICK HERE

Venue: Blacktown Workers Club

Date: 5th September 2023

Time: 5.30pm

Tickets: FREE

South Coast Flame FC vs Blacktown City FC, Saturday 18 August, 7:30pm, Sir Ian McLennan Oval

South Coast Flame FC host Blacktown City FC in their game down at Sir Lan McLennan Oval on Saturday night.

Flame kept the light burning for their finals ambitions with their close win over Nepean FC at Cook Park last weekend.

They do have a catch-up against Marconi which will help their cause but they need to keep winning to maintain the rage on fourth place St George FC.

Helping their cause is their potent front three. Bronte Trew leads the goalscoring while Cristina Barraza and Lulu Lozano do good work on the wings.

Blacktown City FC put up a good fight in their 3-2 loss to St George FC in their game at Landen Stadium last weekend.

The visitors have had a tough campaign but one of the bright spots has been the young talent they brought through including 16-year-old defender Samantha Cole who made her starting debut.

They looked to be locked into tenth spot but hope to pick up a few wins in the last three weeks of the season.

By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)

Blacktown City FC v Wollongong Wolves FC
3:00 pm, Sunday 20 August, Landen Stadium

Landen Stadium hosts an emotional tie between Blacktown City and Wollongong Wolves, with Matthew Lewis playing his final match.

Lewis has been a stalwart of the City team featuring for over a decade and winning the lot.

He started last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Bulls FC Academy, which kept the team in fourth.

With City out of the title race, they’ll now want to keep their superb unbeaten going to finish the season.

Wollongong were left to rue missed chances in their 2-2 draw with Sydney Olympic.

The Wolves were on top for most of the match, which saw them take a 2-0 lead courtesy of a Jake Trew brace.

However, they let the game slip conceding a stoppage-time equaliser seeing them remain in seventh.

Trew has been an effective attacking signing for Wollongong scoring 10 goals with two matches to play in 2023.

These teams couldn’t be separated earlier in the campaign, sharing the points in a 0-0 draw at WIN Stadium.

Preview by Timothy Gibson, on Twitter @Timg123_

The true and full impact from this World Cup won’t be known for several years to come, however being witness to our girls, women, coaches, and parent community being inspired every single day throughout this amazing tournament has been so beautiful to see, the Matilda’s have galvanized an entire country.

We were humbled to have some of our U14/U15 players included in this terrific story as we lead into tonight’s semi-final clash with England: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/major-sporting-stadiums-to-screen-matilidas-doordie-game/news-story/83c6ea8a102a8a6c5fdac7ac495bb61f

– David O’Keefe | TD Women’s Program

Blacktown City legend and captain Matthew Lewis will play his final game this weekend at Landen Stadium, calling time on a stellar career in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s. 

The 33-year-old has played all over the place with Blacktown in his record of 376 games, and he’s created no shortage of special moments.

He’s one of the most successful players to ever grace NSW competitions having won three NPL NSW Men’s championships, one premiership, and a national championship.

In Lewis’s unique career, he made his first-grade debut for Blacktown in 2008 at 17 years old before a two-year stint at A-Leagues side Central Coast Mariners. He then returned to City, where he embarked on his journey of success.

He thought last season’s grand-final victory would be the perfect time to call it a day, but his teammates talked him into sticking around for another year.

“I knew my position in the team wasn’t guaranteed, so I knew I wasn’t going to be playing a heap of football,” Lewis said.

Lewis wasn’t having a poetic conclusion to his career though, as Blacktown’s 2023 looked like a nightmare early on. The team were battered by injuries and suspensions, which saw the NPL NSW Men’s giants slump to the middle of the table by early June.

However, a miraculous late-season turnaround looked to have put the side in with a chance of claiming a title for the ages – a fitting way for Lewis to go out.

That dream was dashed after conceding a 92nd-minute equaliser against St George City in round 27.

Lewis said he is still at peace with finishing his career the way he has.

“It’s been a really positive end to the year, everyone’s buzzing at training. It’s a really positive place to be compared to what it was at the start of the season,” Lewis said.

“I don’t feel like we really deserved it [the premiership] from how we were at the start of the season.

“I think if there were finals, we probably would have gone all the way.”

Blacktown City and Lewis will always be remembered concertedly.

He’s been at the club since he was 10 years old, and the club’s Player of the Year award has been named the ‘Matty Lewis Medal’. He’s trained and played for over a decade with many of the players he leaves behind.

His best memories range from causing upsets in the Australia Cup to his long list of NSW triumphs, chiefly lifting the championship as captain in 2022.

Further, for Blacktown coach Mark Crittenden, it will be the first-ever time since taking the job in 2011, he won’t have Lewis in his squad for the upcoming campaign.

Lewis noted that he had a big adjustment ahead of him as he stepped away from the Blacktown team.

“They are like family. Everyone there I’ve known for so many years. That’s why it’s going to hurt,” Lewis said.

“The main thing I’ll miss is the changing room.

“Even the boys that have left our club have said the best thing about being at Blacktown is the changing room.

“The banter that goes on, the togetherness that everyone’s got.”

The club lost a long-serving part of their ‘family’ earlier this year following the death of Graham Crawhall. Lewis and many others at the club didn’t know a Blacktown City before ‘GC’, with the Football NSW Charles Valentine Medallist an ever-present throughout the club’s success.

That was an incredibly sad time according to Lewis and ranks as his worst moment at the club.

“He was everyone’s go-to man for anything, as he’d always help as best as he could,” Lewis explained.

“That was a rough couple of weeks where football almost felt a bit irrelevant.”

For now, Sunday’s fixture against Wollongong Wolves is on the horizon for Lewis.

His final time stepping across that white line – running down that wing as a Blacktown City player.

His final touches of the football at the place where he’s achieved so much.

And, that final whistle.

He said he hasn’t given much thought to any of that ahead Sunday’s match. Rather, he looks forward to a future featuring more time with his wife and children.

Blacktown City host Wollongong Wolves at 3:00 pm on Sunday 20th of August at Landen Stadium.

Feature by Timothy Gibson, on Twitter @Timg123_

Congratulations to Cayden Henderson on making his Blacktown City FC Men’s 1st Gd debut on Saturday. Player #507.

Congratulations to 16 year old defender, Samantha Cole, who made her starting debut in first grade on Sunday against St George FC.

Sammy started at BCFC in our U16s last season and is currently a member of our young U20’s squad and given how well she played yesterday we are predicting she will get more of these opportunities in the future.

BCFC prides itself on giving young players an opportunity in the senior team if they display the right attitude and work ethic, and with an average age of only 19, Sammy is another example of the strong talent we are developing at this club.

The future looks bright ❤️🖤

Blacktown City FC 2 defeated by St George FC 3

Rounding off the weekend was St George FC defeating Blacktown City FC 3-2 in an entertaining clash at Landen Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

It was a thrilling game that saw five goals in the contest and kept St George FC firmly in the driving seat for the top four. Jaslyn Moore opened the scoring in the 8^th minute for St George FC before Jenny Hughes equalised for the hosts to make it 1-1.

St George FC took a lead into half-time after Caitlin Campbell struck in the 34^th minute to make it 2-1. Blacktown City FC then underlined their good performance to make it 2-2 after Hughes scored her second, her combination with Ella Morris was dangerous throughout.

The Saints took the points in the 71^st minute through substitute Mary Moyo who fired home her eighth goal of the season. They maintain their gap over South Coast Flame FC in fifth headed into the final three weeks of the season.

By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)

Blacktown City has extended its unbeaten streak to ten games after taking down a youthful Bulls FC Academy side 2-0 on Saturday afternoon at Sydney United Sports Centre.

Coming into the game as the form side of the competition, Blacktown City set the tone and intensity from the very early stages.

The opening goal of the game came in the 11^th minute as a dominant start for the visitors was rewarded when Reuben Awaritefe finished a perfect chance from Matt Lewis.

Blacktown continued to dictate the flow of the game, with the Bulls happy to pick their chances on the counterattack throughout the first half.

It was much of the same as the second half got underway, with Blacktown pressing from the kick-off eagerly looking for a second goal.

The high-intensity style of play paid off for the second time in the game when Lachlan Campbell finished his chance from close range just after the hour to all but seal the result for the visitors.

It was a very lively start to the game for both sides, but it was Blacktown City who seized the early momentum and took control of the contest.

Jak O’Brien had the first real chance for the visitors to open the scoring with his curling header that was eventually defused by Alex Robinson.

With the Bulls starting to pick up some momentum in attack, their hard work was undone in the 11^th when Matt Lewis picked out Awaritefe for an easy finish to get the visitors on the board.

Blacktown continued to dominate the attacking chances after the first goal but was caught a few times on the counterattack from a pacey Bulls forward line.

The Bulls’ closest chances of the first half came in quick succession as Mabior Garang’s powerful effort was sent out for a corner before Mason Wells’ backheel flick ricocheted against the front post.

Adam Berry came within inches of adding a second for Blacktown City as he charged onto a misjudged clearance but overpowered his goal-bound effort.

Blacktown thought they had doubled their advantage when Nicholas O’Brien found an outstretched foot of Awaritefe in the six-yard box, his effort found the back of the net but was ruled out for offside just as quickly.

The visitor’s defence remained hungry to hold the Bulls scoreless heading into the break, a successful effort that saw them take a 1-0 lead at the end of the first half.

As play resumed for the second half it was Blacktown who came out of the blocks firing and eager to put the result beyond doubt.

Both J. O’Brien and Travis Major attempted to set up an aerial chance for Awaritefe with both chances narrowly missing the target.

Lynch began to make his presence felt on the visitor’s attack, putting a cross perfectly into the path of Carlos De Oliveira before he unfortunately got tangled up with a couple of Bulls defenders, denying him a clean strike at the ball.

The Blacktown left back was once again involved as his side struck for the second time as his deflected chance fell perfectly to Campbell who neatly placed his effort into a near-open net.

After a quadruple substation from Zeljko Kalac, the Bulls’ attack began to flow and cause serious issues for a Blacktown defence that was desperate to keep a clean sheet.

Ariath Piol took charge of the Bulls’ attack, forcing Cayden Henderson into three stellar saves within a matter of minutes.

The first effort from Piol was pushed away by an outstretched Henderson but it was the second effort that saw the save fall into the path of Mason Wells, who agonisingly overpowered his effort and missed the open target from close range.

Despite a few late chances for the host, it was not their day in front of goals, and it was Blacktown who walked away with a well-earned 2-0 victory.

Reflecting on the performance post-game, Bulls coach Zeljko Kalac saw the positives in what his young side was able to do throughout the match.

“They competed today, we created some really good chances, but we just don’t score at critical moments, I thought they did good,” he said.

“Blacktown is physically a good side, duels are a big problem for these young players… so I thought they executed the gameplan pretty good but if you can’t score, you can’t win.

After reaching ten games without a loss, Blacktown City captain Mario Shabow didn’t hide his pride in his side’s recent run of form.

“We’ve been on a good run, it shows the quality we have, I know we didn’t get off to a good start this year, but I feel like we picked ourselves up and now we’re in the right areas,” he said.

“It could’ve been five or six (goals), we were a bit unlucky but that’s football, we came away with the win and that’s the most important thing.”

Match Stats

Bulls FC Academy 0

Blacktown City FC 2 (Awaritefe 11’, Campbell 68’)

Saturday 12^th August 2023

Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park

Referee: Nathan Shakespear

Assistant Referees: Thomas Gellatly and Joshua Eiser

Fourth Official: Jackson Tippett

Bulls FC Academy: 30. Alexander Robinson, 6. Frans Deli (23. Flynn Madden 63’), 8. Mason Wells, 13. Jordan Ivancic (2. Luca Pecora 63’) 14. Peter Grozos (22. Edward Caspers 63’), 15. Mabior Garang (12. Marco Arambasic 63’), 18. Federico Gagliano, 20. Ariath Piol (19. Zane Helweh 79’), 21. Lachlan Macdonald, 25. Samuel Bosnjak, 29. Michael Marcevski

Unused subs: 41. Patrick Williams

Yellow cards: Ivancic 31’, Bosnjak 45 +1’, Arambasic 84’

Red cards: nil

Blacktown City FC: 20. Cayden Henderson, 4. Lachlan Campbell, 5. Grant Lynch, 6. Matthew Lewis (16. Ben Berry 55’), 7. Travis Major (21. Charles Mendy 73’), 8. Jak O’Brien, 9. Reuben Awaritefe (22. Carlos De Oliveira 55’), 12. Tyren Burnie (14. Caleb Jackson-Brown 66’), 18. Nicholas O’Brien, 19. Adam Berry

Substitutes Not Used: 1. Bodie Denton

Yellow Cards: Campbell 59’, J. O’Brien 82’

Red Cards: nil

Player Ratings

3: Lachlan Campbell (BC)

2: Mario Shabow (BC)

1: Grant Lynch (BC)

By NPL NSW Men’s Reporter Dominic Criniti @DominicCriniti