Blacktown City spoils Manly United 2012 home debut
Blacktown City FC played the role of party poopers to perfection on Sunday, defeating Manly United FC 1-0 at Cromer Park.
A clinical strike from Yuchi Yamauchi was the difference, on an afternoon where the home side finally got to play on their new synthetic pitch.
More than 700 spectators made their way to the ground, with the turf looking nothing short of sensational.
Blacktown City FC love playing with their backs to the wall, and started the contest in a determined mood.
11’ minutes in Yamauchi made his way to the 18-yard box with purpose, unleashing an effort from an acute angle which Dylan Mitchell had no chance of stopping.
With Ray Miller running riot down the right flank, Mark Crittenden’s men looked of course to double their lead.
Evergreen skipper Luke Roodenburg went close on 24’ minutes, stinging the palms of Mitchell.
Playmaker David Bragg was impressive from the outset, with his controlled passing causing Manly constant problems.
After what seemed an eternity, United eventually woke from their slumber after 30’ minutes.
The industrious Colin Iley looked the man most likely, with his link-up play next to fellow striker Todd Bamber impressive.
But as has been the case for many winters, Manly lacked a killer touch in front of goal.
Iley lashed a few half chances over the bar before and after halftime, much to the disappointment of the eager crowd.
Just after the hour mark the usually reliable Scott Balderson spurned three chances in 4’ minutes, and you sensed it wasn’t going to be Manly’s day.
Coach Craig Midgley responded by emptying his bench, with Matt Sim, Justin Hayward and crowd favourite Tanishe Mugabe thrown into the fray as United chased at least a point.
Blacktown substitute Sean Rooney almost doubled his team’s lead with a brilliant effort after 78’ minutes, only to see his shot cannon off the post and out to safety with Mitchell well beaten.
Iley had a chance at the death to stab home a loose ball, but saw his effort blocked by the retreating Travis Major.
Crittenden was chuffed to walk away with three points:
“It (Cromer Park) is a tough place to come, I am extremely pleased for the lads,’’ he said.
“I stressed to the boys the importance of starting well and we did that.
“We were rewarded with a goal, and to be honest probably should have buried a couple before half-time.
“I knew Manly would come out fired up after the break, and they certainly did that.”
He then singled out his two Asian imports, Ryuji Miyazawa and goal scorer Yamauchi:
“I thought both those lads were brilliant,’’ Crittenden said.
“They offer something different, they were brought to the club by a scout and haven’t missed a beat from day one.
“They are very tidy on the ball and who knows, maybe higher honours await them.”
His opposite Craig Midgley couldn’t fault the effort from his team:
“We didn’t get out of the blocks early and were punished,’’ he said.
“Blacktown City has a number of sharp players who can hurt you if you are not switched on.
“I was happy with our second-half, our passing was good, we made better decisions and asked plenty of questions.
“Scotty (Balderson) on another day, at least one of his chances goes in and it is a different game.
“The result wasn’t what we wanted, but the desire was there.’’
Sweeper Marc Richards raved about the new pitch:
“It was brilliant to play on, unfortunately the result didn’t follow,’’ he said.
“Credit to Blacktown City, they were on fire early on and deserved their lead.
“I was hoping we could pinch something late, but it wasn’t to be.
“We still have an opportunity to make our way up the table, that is our focus.”
Match Stats
Blacktown City FC 1 (Yuchi Yamauchi 11’)
Manly United FC 0
Sunday 17th June, 2012
Cromer Park, Cromer
Blacktown City FC: 1.Brody Crane; 6.Matt Lewis, 7.Luke Roodenburg (C), 8.Daniel Bragg, 9.Ryuji Miyazawa, 11.Yuchi Yamauchi, Ryo Watanabe, 15.Ray Miller (4.Travis Major 45’), 16.Luke Austin, 18.Kieran Paull (17.Sean Rooney 68’), 19.Zac Cairncross
Substitutes Not Used: 10.James Monie, 20.Lucas Turnbull
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Manly United FC: 1.Dylan Mitchell; 2.Sean Bowden, 3.Roberto Hamad (C), 4.Graeme Forbes, 5.Marc Richards, 6.Michael Daly, 7.Scott Balderson, 8.Danny Grant, (19.Tanishe Mugabe 78’) 12.Colin Iley, 15.Jordy Edwards, (9.Justin Hayward 73’) 17.Todd Bamber (11.Matt Sim 65’)
Substitutes Not Used: 14.Mitch Macedo, 21.Leigh Egger
Yellow Cards: Danny Grant 77’, Michael Daly 83’
Red Cards: Nil
