Rockdale Ilinden continued its reign at the top of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition ladder with a 3-1 victory over arch-rivals Sydney United 58 in a rain soaked Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.

 

The hosts couldn’t have asked for a better start to the game.

Within 40 seconds, a name regularly featured in the NPL NSW’s Men’s Team of the Week would get them off to a flying 1-0 start.

Successfully challenging Sydney United 58’s right centre-back Ante Bakmaz, captain Alec Urosevski would go on to slot the ball into the right bottom corner past Danijel Nizic that took the Baker’s tally to twelve for the 2023 NPL NSW Men’s season.

As the game was heavily played in the midfield and between each defence, opportunities were hard to come by.

Unlucky to not add another goal to the score, Rockdale’s captain nearly found a lurking Jaden Casella in the penalty box but Nizic would deflect the ball with his fingertips

However, it wasn’t long before the two would link up once again. Three minutes later, receiving the ball on a counter-attack Urosevski delivered a brilliant low cross finding Casella, who went on to score his fourth of the season at the 26th-minute mark.

Having gotten off to a rapid start, their attack continued to wreak havoc on United’s defenders. In the 37th minute, Lochlan Constable fired the ball with precision and sharpness across the body of Nijzic into the net, after an assist from Brendan Cholakian.

Despite not scoring in the opening 45 minutes, Sydney United 58 came close twice. The first occurred in the 28th minute when Bailey Rule found Patrick Antelmi alone in the box, crossing it past David Bradasevic.

Unfortunately, Antelmi couldn’t finish failing to adjust to the speed of the ball.

The second chance came just before half-time. Receiving three free-kicks in a row, Glen Trifiro’s third chance would go inches past the top corner out of the reach of Bradasevic.

The game would get more difficult for Sydney United 58 in the second half when they went down to 10 men in the 51st minute.

Pulling on the shirt of Lochlan Constable as the last line of defence, referee Adrian Arndt could do nothing but provide Bakmas with his second yellow.

This wouldn’t be the last time Amdt would reach into his pocket for a red card. After a heavy challenge on Leroy Jennings, Mathieu Cordier was awarded a straight red in the 81st minute.

Although they went down to 10-men, United looked promising in attack and we were awarded a goal in the 69th minute through Patrick Antelmi, in what was their first goal in three weeks.

However, despite multiple opportunities to increase their score, they were unable to get past Bradasevic who delivered crucial late saves to keep out Antelmi and Chris Payne.

The victory all but assured Paul Dee’s side continued to be the team to beat moving five points clear at the top of the NPL NSW Men’s competition ladder.

After a ‘Man of the Match’ performance at the back, big defender Lachlan Griffiths was extremely proud of how his teammates battled in the match today.

“It wasn’t an easy match at all, Sydney United 58 are a very strong and experienced side with some smart players but thanks to a good start we ended up getting the job done securing the points in front of our home fans.

“We need to keep believing and look towards giving it our all next weekend to keep this momentum going.”

Sydney United 58 coach Miro Vlastelica was disappointed in his side’s first-half performance that ultimately proved to be their downfall as the match progressed.

“Look, we got punished.

“In the first half we made three mistakes and got done on the counter which credit to them, but I thought they were gifted,” Vlastelica said.

“Second half, we went down to 10-men but played a better game. I thought we had several chances, but you have take your chances. That’s what it comes down to, so I’m a bit disappointed.”

Match Stats

Rockdale Ilinden FC 3 (Urosevski 1’ Casella 26’ Constable 37’)

Sydney United 58 1 (Antelmi 69’)

Sunday 2nd April, 2023

Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre

Referee: Adrian Arndt

Assistant Referees: Matt Staples and Ayad Naji

Fourth Official: Nicholas Kour

Rockdale Ilinden FC: 1. David Bradasevic (GK) 3. Lachlan Griffiths 4. Nikola Ujdur 7. Alec Urosevski (c) (16. Mohamed Ahmed 90+3) 8. Isaac Danzo 10. Brendan Cholakian (77. Peter Kekeris 61’) 11. Lochlan Constable (15. Jamie Percevski 90+3) 15. Brayden Sorge 17. Loic Puyo (6. Nicola Kuleski 75’)  23. Jaden Casella (5. William Mutch 75’) 66. Mathieu Cordier

Substitutes Not Used: 20. Ricardo Rizzo (GK)

Yellow Cards: Griffiths 26’ Cholakian 30’

Red Cards: Cordier 81’

Sydney United 58: 1. Danijel Nizic (GK) 2. Cristian Gonzalez  (6. Christopher Payne 46’) 3. Bailey Rule 4. Adrian Vlastelica (C) 5. Anthony Tomelic 7. Taisei Kaneko (22. Leroy Jennings 46’) 9. Patrick Antelmi 14. Andreas Agamemnonos (8. Jason Madonis 58’) 16. Ante Bakmaz 17. Matthew Bilic (12. Hiyori Kawaguchi 58’) 18. Glen Trifiro (15. Tariq Maia 46’)

Substitutes Not Used: 20. Luke Cukar (GK)

Yellow Cards: Agamemnonos 28’ Vlastelica 30’ Gonzalez 30’ Payne 80’ Rule 90+1

Red Cards: Bakmaz 51’