Football was high on the agenda at a recent council meeting at  Blacktown as PS4 NPL NSW Men’s 1 Premiers Blacktown City and PUMA Champion  of Champions winning clubs Doonside Hawks’ 21 Women and Polonia Rams’ 21  Men’s team were all awarded congratulatory plaques.

Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali was on hand to award all three clubs their silverware after each team’s memorable achievements this season. 

Blacktown City FC had a year to remember as they took out the 2015 PS4 NPL NSW Men’s 1 Premiership along with the PS4 NPL Finals Series crowning Mark Crittenden’s side as the best state league team in Australia.

On hand to accept the award was club captain Zach Cairncross who played a  pivotal role in Blacktown City’s success.

The Blacktown Mayor further highlighted Blacktown City’s achievements which brought much  cheer to the football mad area.
 

"This is the first time a team from our great city has won this prestigious competition," he told the Blacktown Sun.

"The  winner can claim the title of the best football club in Australia outside the Hyundai A-League.

 "It's a real case of the underdogs taking on and thrashing the favourites."

"Its real success isn't measured by trophies won but by helping players reach potential."

Doonside Hawks were rewarded for their efforts in taking out the 21 Women PUMA Champion of Champions title after defeating the Miranda Magpies 2-0 while Polonia  Rams’ 21 Men’s team went on to collect their title with a 3-1 victory over Lilli Pilli FC at this year’s finals played at Valentine Sports Park.

Credit- Football NSW

Doonside Hawks 2

Maccabi Hakoah 1

Two goals from Nina Jursic helped to lead the Hawks to a comeback victory against a well organised Maccabi Hakoah side in the 21 Women contest.

It was a hot morning in Blacktown for both sides, as Doonside and Maccabi played out a spirited game on Blacktown Football Park 2.

Doonside had the first opportunity Diarna Lombardo, who was a constant nuisance for the Maccabi defence in the opening half. She caught a defender dwelling on the ball, drifting in and flashing a shot wide in the 13th minute.

After that shot, Maccabi shaded possession with their constant hassling of the Doonside defenders with Tamara Viner winning several key balls down the line.

Their pressure off the ball paid off, as Nicole Zwalen found some space on the edge of the box, putting in a strike that hit the crossbar and across the line in the 23rd minute.

The Hawks were stung into action after conceding, with Lombardo having a second attempt deflected for a corner. Doonside worked into the game, dominating possession from Maccabi who were wasteful after their goal.

Nina Jursic fired a warning shot in the 33rd minute. She was played through before curling an effort that went wide. The forward who was moved to a solitary up front position, was tireless in her work all game peppering the keeper.

It was a more deft effort from Jursic in the 39th minute when a tempting cross from the right, fell right onto her foot to slot the ball home.

Six minutes later Jursic nearly made it a brace, as once again she broke into the penalty area but under some defensive pressure bent it wide. Jursic and Mikalya Harris had chances but weren’t able to convert.

Jursic finally had her brace in the 57th minute. The errant passing once again found Maccabi out as Jursic was played in to smash it home.

It was the opposing forward for Maccabi, Gabrielle Rosenberg who was the most likely to bring the game level. She had two efforts including a 59th minute effort that forced a scrambling effort from Pheara Ban and despite the result was constantly involved.

Doonside saw out the last few minutes of the game, forcing a good save from Arielle Gold from a free-kick, taking the Champion of Champions title over Maccabi.

Match Stats

Doonside Hawks 2 (Jursic ’39 and ’57)

Maccabi Hakoah 1 (Zwalen ’23)

Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
-By Justin Davies

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