Hitting their straps: Blacktown City FC have taken out the local derby for the third time this year. They’re hitting form at the right part of the season.Blacktown City FC have won bragging rights by taking out the local derby, defeating Blacktown Spartans 3-0 in the IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 qualifying final at Blacktown Football Park.
The Spartans had chances, but weren’t able to convert them.
Spartans goalkeeper,Carlos Saliadarre, said they let themselves down with lapses in concentration.
”It was a couple of losses of concentration on our behalf.They hit us on a couple of counter attacks and we fell asleep,” he said.
After a rough patch,City are finding form and are looking ominous going into the knock-out stages of the finals.
Mitchell Mallia scored for City off a pinpoint cross from Travis Major in the first half after Major was left in acres of space on the flank.
In the second half the rolls were reversed, withMajor scoringoff a Mallia cross.
The third goal came via a delightful volley off the boot of Matthew Lewis.
The Spartans had a few chances to score late in the match and their best chance at a consolation goal came in the 85th minute but Greg Kondek’s flying header zipped wide.
Blacktown City FC now play premiers, Bonnyrigg White Eagles next weekend.
Spartans need to gear themselves for a clash against Sydney Olympic in what will be a loser goes home match for Ben De Haan’s squad.
Looking forward to their match against Sydney Olympic next week, Saliadarre said the Spartans need to create more chances and take the ones that come their way.
”We need to take our chances better,” Saliadarre said.
”We had maybe three good ones in the 180 minutes, so need to create more and take the chances that come.”
”We played a bit better and were able to hold the ball. But wedidn’tcreate enough inthe final third;we were lacking the final pass.”
