Manly United and Blacktown City played out a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Cromer Park on Saturday afternoon, with both sides producing determined defensive performances in a closely contested Round 17 encounter.
The hosts created some of the better opportunities during the opening half, going close through Cai Evans, Jasper Chipman and Darcy Burgess as Manly looked to build on last week’s away victory over St George City.
After the break, Harry Turner produced one of the moments of the match to keep the scores level. Blacktown’s Daiki Tanaka unleashed a powerful strike that looked destined for the top corner, only for Turner to produce a superb one-handed save and tip the ball over the crossbar.
Manly continued to threaten in attack, with Stephan de Robillard and Burgess both going close as the contest opened up during the second half. At the other end, Luke Nieuwenhof produced an excellent last-ditch challenge inside the penalty area to deny a dangerous Blacktown attack and preserve the clean sheet.
While neither side could find a breakthrough, the result extends Manly’s unbeaten run to two matches and provides another valuable point as the squad continues its push up the ladder heading into the coming weeks.
Scoreless for the U20s
In the late game, the U20s found themselves equally frustrated in a game where no side was able to dominate. While it ends their recent winning streak, the young side will grab the point and clean sheet with both hands from a game with minimal opportunities.
Next game for the Manly Senior Men is against APIA Leichhardt at Lambert Park on Saturday, June 6. First KO: 6pm.
See full match stats here.
Image credit: Facet Photography
