Blacktown City FC suffer grand final heartbreak to Bonnyrigg while youth grades taste victory

A DREAM season has ended in heartbreak for Blacktown City.

A DREAM season has ended in heartbreak for Blacktown City.

Bonnyrigg White Eagles were ruthlessly efficient in a strong 2-0 win over premiers Blacktown City FC on the way to securing championship glory at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday.

Robbie Younis was at it again, scoring an unbelievable free kick midway through the first-half before Yuta Kokado sealed the win after 50 minutes with a thumping strike.

Reduced to 10 men after 67 minutes when captain Zach Cairncross got himself sent off with two yellow cards in seven minutes, Blacktown City’s road back into the contest was always going to be hard.

Bonnyriigg's Yuta Kokada with the kick that scored Bonnyrigg their second goal.

Bonnyrigg’s midfield and defence was disciplined and composed.

Blacktown’s usually brilliant forward line looked lacklustre against tough competition from Bonnyrigg’s Dylan Fox and captain Chris Tadrosse, who capped off a wonderful career by winning the Robbie Slater medal.

Bonnyrigg's Mu-soo Gil and Blacktown's Daniel Araujo battle for the ball.

For Blacktown coach Mark Crittenden, who was crowned 2015 coach of the year on Friday, it was a disappointing way to end a remarkable season.

“I thought the first-half was pretty even to be fair, it’s just another Robbie Younis free kick, but their pressure stopped us from paying out and they deserved the result,” Crittenden said.

Blacktown Players reflect after their 2-0 loss to Bonnyrigg in the NPL NSW grand final.

“We had our chances, and in the second half Choi had a good chance, but they go up the other end and score, it’s just one of those days.

“Bonnyrigg really made it hard for us to play and as I said, I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved this season … but it’s obviously disappointing.

“There’s not much to say, it’s been a great season but these are the days that count.”

Blacktown City’s Grade 20s team was all smiles after their 3-2 grand final win against Marconi. ● YOUTH GRADE SUCCESS

THE future of football in Blacktown is bright with Blacktown City winning the NSW Premier League Grade 18s and Grade 20s competitions on Sunday.

It was a big day at Leichhardt Oval for the Seven Hills-based club as their under-18s defeated Sydney Olympic 4-2 and the under-20s secured a 3-2 win against Marconi.

Four different scorers in Christian Bozinovski, Cooper Coskerie, Charlie Abou Serhal and Emmanuel Gonzalez allowed Blacktown’s under-18s to overcome a gritty Olympic outfit.

It wasn’t as easy in the grade 20s final as City was given a late scare.

Blacktown raced out to a 2-0 lead in the first half before Marconi pegged them back to 2-2 in the second, but a late goal from Jonathan Grozdanovski sealed the victory for the side that finished top of the table during the regular season.

Blacktown City FC was crowned Grade 18s champion after a 4-2 win against Sydney Olympic

Blacktown City under-20s coach John Carnevale reflected on a tight match and a successful season.

“I’m ecstatic for the boys,” he said.

“We’ve put the icing on the cake this year by winning the championship.

“After a decent first 20 minutes we stopped playing, and they came out hard in the second half with nothing to lose.

“We regained our composure with 15 minutes to go, and grabbed the goal to win it.”