Blacktown City claimed a 4:2 victory over Sydney II in the NPL New South Wales Regular Season on Saturday, moving to within nine points of their visitors at 13th place. The result comes after a run of four games unbeaten for the hosts, who have now accumulated 32 points from 30 matches. Sydney II remain in ninth position with 41 points after their same number of outings.
The first half produced two goals in quick succession, and here's the thing about how they came — 42 minutes in the home side opened the scoring before adding another just before the break at 45+1. Not that the visitors were passive, but they had nothing to do all evening in that opening period. By then the hosts were feeling comfortable with the lead.
The second half opened with another six minutes of action, 61 minutes seeing the hosts extend their advantage. Sydney II responded at 71 with a goal of their own, and to be fair they looked the more threatening side after that change. The home side struck back almost immediately at 73, and the pattern of the game was becoming clear — end-to-end stuff with little time between incidents.
Then came the late drama at 90+4, and by then you could see where this was heading. The hosts had worked hard for their lead, weathered a storm in the closing stages, and held on for three points. Sydney II had pushed for more but couldn't find the equaliser they needed.
The standings tell a story of two teams in different places but not worlds apart. Blacktown City's 32 points from eight wins, eight draws and 14 losses puts them mid-table, while Sydney II's 41 points from 11 victories has kept them in the upper half. Nine points between them is nothing in this league.
Recent form suggests momentum is shifting. The hosts have won three of their last five games, including victories over Wollongong Wolves and St George City, while Sydney II have drawn their last two outings against St George Saints and Manly United. That run of draws could be costing them.