Bulls FC Academy put Spartans to the sword

Bulls FC Academy have put finals football in their own hands after a 4-0 win over the Blacktown Spartans at Blacktown Football Park. 

After a tight first half where neither team could find a goal, the second period exploded.

Two goals from the fantastic Charlotte Lancaster and a goal each for Amy Chessari and Avaani Prakash were enough for a convincing victory.

It was the visitors with the first chance of the game as Charlotte Lancaster’s cross found its way to the far post, but Peta Trimis couldn’t direct her header goalwards.

Makayla Kent was called into action for the first time on 16 minutes as Prakash let fly with a volley, her effort well saved by the Spartans keeper.

The home team threatened on the counter through young speedster Amber Luchtmeijer but she wasn’t able to test Trudy Simmons.

As the half got on, the Bulls began to assert their dominance.

Just before the break the visitors thought they were in front.

Isabella Volkanovski had the ball outside the area, on the turn she let fly toward the goal as Kent seemed to tip the ball onto the crossbar.

Volkanovski had another opportunity from a free kick in a good position but this time it was an effort to forget moments before half time.

Blacktown came out in the second period much better with Hannah Lowry moving into a more advanced position.

They threatened through a couple corners and started to grow in confidence.

15 minutes into the second half all their good work was undone.

Lancaster had her first of the evening as her cross beat Kent, came off the post and went over the line in fortunate circumstances.

It didn’t take long for the next to fall after some excellent work between Chessari and Prakash.

Prakash combined with her midfield team mate twice before Chessari placed the ball beyond Kent into the bottom corner.

The floodgates opened then as Lancaster scored an excellent individual goal.

On the edge of the area, the left winger cut onto her left, beating her marker before finding the bottom far corner to extend the lead to three.

With just over 10 minutes remaining, the visitors rounded off the scoring in style.

Peta Trimis who was a threat all game picked up a pass from Prakash before returning the ball back to the latter who blasted the ball into the back of the net.

Credit to the Spartans, they kept pushing to find a consolation as Jaime Gomez brought on reserve keeper Keely Segavcic.

The substitute keeper was called into action moments after coming on, making a great save from Alyssa Ng-Saad.

Segavcic had to be on her toes as Charlotte Owen sent a rocket toward the Bulls goal, again the keeper saving well.

It was an important victory for the Bulls as they move into fourth position while Blacktown have a mammoth task next week to secure their spot in the NPL competition.

Match Stats    

Blacktown Spartans 0

Bulls FC Academy 4 (Lancaster 60’ 72’, Chessari 65’, Prakash 79’)

Sunday, 27, August, 2023

Blacktown Football Park

Blacktown Spartans: 40. Kent, 2. Maniti, 6. Lowry (9. Moore), 7. Oliva, 13. Buccini, 17. Duggan, 18. Murphy (27. Ng-Saad), 19. Roach, 23. Owen, 30. Luchtmeijer, 34. Mkali.

Substitutes Not Used: 8. Smyth, 12. Fressard, 14. Vine, 43. Ewe.

Bulls FC Academy: 1. Simmons (21. Segavcic), 2. Trimis (8. Rutstein), 3. Grey, 4. Seaman, 5. Lancaster, 7. Prakash (18. Clout), 9. Chessari, 11. Valletta, 12. Corry (22. Popovic), 13. Di Sciascio, 17. Volkanovski (19. Cheesman).

Substitutes Not Used: N/A.

By Nikola Pozder