After dropping the Regular Season Premiership in the final match of the season to Sydney Olympic, redemption came for Blacktown in the Grand Final as the Western Sydney outfit secured some silverware with a strong performance in the high-pressure match.
A first half goal to Blacktown’s Lachlan Campbell had City with the advantage heading into the break and a classy finish from Travis Major saw them double their lead as one of Blacktown’s favourite sons hit the incredible milestone of 100 goals for the club.
It took Three ‘Do Or Die’ Playoff matches but Blacktown City FC stood up to the pressure with victories in all three. Following a heartbreaking loss to Manly in the Minor Semi-final, Blacktown had to do it the hard way knowing a loss would end their 2022 campaign.
Apia Leichhardt was the first obstacle in their playoff challenge which Blacktown won 2-0 win in front of the biggest home crowd of the season.
Next up was Minor Premiers Sydney Olympic on their home ground at Belmore Oval. Olympic also suffered a narrow loss to Manly the week before to force the Major elimination game.
Both teams were desperate for the win to advance to the Grand Final at Comm Bank Stadium. The game did not disappoint as the 1-1 score stood for the 90 minute game and an additional 30 minutes in overtime.
The resulting penalty shootout saw a 5-4 result in favour of the visitors with Blacktown goalkeeper Dylan Niski making two saves to deny the Premiers a Grand Final spot.
Blacktown was confident coming into the Grand Final against Manly as they had two solid wins over Manly during the regular season, 4-1 & 6-1. The loss in the Minor Semis 2-1 however and the victory over Olympic demonstrated that Manly were for real and never to be counted out.
In the Grand Final, the hyped up crowd with plenty of Blacktown supporters wearing their favourite colour – Black, saw Blacktown strike first.
In the first half, Travis Major sent a ball into the area to an on-running Campbell, who tapped the ball into the net as he slid past the goal.
Major then ran away with a ball from the midfield late in the second half and placed a well-timed shot past Alen Aganovic and Jack Greenwood to take Blacktown’s tally to two.
That strike was a fitting climax to the game and for Major a goal to hit the incredible milestone of 100 goals for the club. Travis Major was also awarded the Robbie Slater Man of the Match after his impressive performance on the night.
Blacktown Coach Mark Crittenden was thrilled his side was able to secure the Grand Final victory, particularly after an unfinished season last year where Blacktown were leading the comp with five rounds to go before the competition was ended due to Covid.
“We’ve had a pretty big two years and I think the team thoroughly deserved something after last year when COVID hit,” said Coach Crittenden.
“I don’t think it was a great game to watch but it was exciting and Manly took it to us in the second half big time. We were resilient, then a wonderful goal by Trav [Travis Major] to get to 100 for the club sealed the win and a fitting tribute to a special player for Blacktown,” he added.
After leading the Under 20 competition the entire year losing only one game through the season, Blacktown’s Under 20 men suffered a loss to Sydney FC in the first round of the playoffs.
Mt Druitt then inflicted a 2-1 loss to Blacktown the next week to knock them out of the competition. The success of both the Senior Men and Under 20’s once again earned Blacktown City the coveted Football NSW Club Championship.
An award that is significant to the culture and Junior development of Blacktown City, the Club amassed 264 points over the 2022 season. Next best was Marconi with 228 points to demonstrate the dominance of Blacktown.
On the all-time Honour Board for Football NSW the 2022 Championship is the Ninth Finals Series Championship for Blacktown City Football Club. Next best is Apia Leichhardt with 6 followed by Sydney United with 5. Blacktown City is also tied with Sydney United with 8 regular season Premierships each.
A proud football club, Executive Chairman, Bob Turner, was ecstatic with the win, not only for the championship but the organisations goal to be the major sporting team for the city it represents.
“Since I took on the role with Blacktown City eighteen months ago, I have been adamant our goal is to live up to our name both on the field and off it,” said Turner.
“To see Blacktown Mayor Tony Bleasdale on the field for the presentation with our team was a great thrill as the smile on his face meant the world to me.".
Head of Football, Mark Crittenden, will now focus his attention to building the 2023 team and the challenge to repeat as Champions.
Football NSW will be adding four more teams to the NPL1 competition for a sixteen team field. Fifteen home games represents an opportunity for all of Blacktown to join the fun and witness some of the best football in the state.
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Bob Turner is Executive Chairman of Blacktown City FC.
