Rockdale and Bonnyrigg share the spoils
PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 2015 Champions’ Bonnyrigg White Eagles have fought back from a two goal deficit with only 10 men on the park to secure a 2-2 draw with Rockadale City Suns.
Rockdale seemed set for a round one victory at their Ilinden Sports Centre home until a spirited fightback from Brian Brown’s Bonnyrigg outfit.
Alex Canak and Blake Riccito were straight to business for the Suns as the pair put Bonnyrigg keeper James Chronopoulos under pressure after only five minutes.
In the ninth minute it was Canak, a former White Eagle, who capitalised on a Chronopoulos error to knock home the ball for a 1-0 Rockdale lead.
Bonnyrigg felt they had levelled the game in the 18th minute when Robbie Younis found the net.
The celebrations didn’t last long with the linesman’s flag ruling the burly striker offside.
Bonnyrigg were slowly working their way into the match and several long range efforts ensued.
Brave goalkeeping from Rockdale’s David Bradesevic ensured the home side maintained their lead when he saved a headed effort from Robbie Younis.
Rockdale doubled their lead in the 37th minute through Hristijan Tanoski when the marksman clinically finished a Canak cross on the back post.
The Suns were looking good for their lead until the 42 minute when Hesketh was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area.
Up stepped Younis to reduce the deficit from the spot.
It was scant justice for the Suns.
However, it again proved you can never rule the White Eagles out of the mix as the half-time break arrived with the match just starting to simmer nicely.
Bonnyrigg came out firing in the second period with David Vrankovic and Younis peppering Bradesevic in the Rockdale net.
The Suns looked markedly lethargic on the resumption but the Bonnyrigg’s poor shooting kept the game in the hands of the home team.
Bonnyrigg looked down and out when Nikola Zonjic was sent off after he received a second caution on the hour mark.
Neat one-two passes between Blake Ricciuto, Toufic Alameddine and Alex Urosevski forced Chronopoulos into save after save.
Rockdale’s good work was undone six minutes from time when Hesketh took down Michael Robinson in the box.
Robbie Younis stepped up to level the game from the penalty spot
Half chances came and went with no further addition to the score as the spoils were shared
The result left both coaches somewhat perplexed.
“Our first 15-20 minutes, I though was exceptional and had we gone into the break 2-nil up it changes the dynamic of the team talk,” Rockdale assistant coach Matt Ribarovski said.
“Conceding a cheap penalty just before the break always hurts and changes things.
“The feeling is we lost two points as opposed to gaining one.
“There were a few heavy legs out there but overall we’re pleased with the boys who turned up and played today. If we can keep this going we won’t have too much to complain about.”
White Eagles coach Brian Brown added: “I thought it was a good game for the spectators although we didn’t turn up to play until 15-minutes into the first half to be honest”.
“When we got going I felt the boys were outstanding and to come back from two down and playing with 10-men I have to give our guys credit.
“It was a really open game and the keepers did extremely well. To go away with a point under the circumstances isn’t too bad.”
Match Stats
Rockdale City Suns 2 (Canak 9’, Tanoski 37’ )
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 2 (Younis 42’ pen, 84’ pen )
Sunday, March 13 2016
Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale
Referee: Steven Lucas
Assistant Referees: Raymond Osborne & Janush Adabjou
Fourth Official: Sam Grasso
Rockdale City Suns: 1. BRADASEVIC David, 2. PETKOVSKI Daniel, 3. HESKETH Steven, 5. REID Paul (18. DASCAL David 85’), 6. RICCIUTO Blake, 8. CANAK Alex, 10. MAKRILLOS Peter (7. UROSEVSKI Alex 54’), 11. TANOSKI Hristijan (9. MACALLISTER Dylan 86’), 15. PETRILLO Nick, 16. SAVOR Isaac, 17. ALAMEDDINE Toufic
Substitutes Not Used: 12. EL HAFIANE Idriss, 22. BAZI Andrew
Yellow Cards: 3. HESKETH Steven 32’, 2. PETKOVSKI Daniel 56’, 11. TANOSKI Hristijan 68’, 5. REID Paul 80’, 6. RICCIUTO Blake 88’
Red Cards:
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1. CHRONOPOULOS James, 3. VRANKOVIC David, 4. ROBINSON Michael, 6. ZONJIC Nikola, 7. KONDEK Gregory (19. PETERSON Aaron 66’), 9. YOUNIS Robert, 10. KOKADO Yuta (5. JENNER Adam 66’), 15. MILLER Raymond, 16. GALLAWAY Samuel (2. MANSUETO Alexander 90+2’), 17. GIL Mun-Soo, 21. CHUN B0-Hyun
Substitutes Not Used: 13. MCKENZIE James, SAVICIC Stevan
Yellow Cards: 15. MILLER Raymond 73’, 4. ROBINSON Michael 76’, 6.ZONJIC Nikola 19’, 60’
Red Cards: 6. ZONJIC Nikola 60’
Man of the Match
3 – Alex Canak (RCS)
2 – Robbie Younis (BWE)
1 – Blake Ricciuto (RCS)
-By Micky Brock
