Ilinden Snatch Sensational Extra Time Goal to Share Points with Olympic
Rockdale Ilinden FC snatched a sensational last-minute goal to finish with a 1-1 draw with hosts Sydney Olympic at Belmore Sportsground on Sunday afternoon.
A second-half Roy O’Donovan goal was cancelled out by an extra time Lachlan Griffiths strike that sent Rockdale fans into celebrations as the visitors managed to take a point from the tight match.
The first half of the clash was a tight battle as both sides managed to create chances, but neither was able to make their mark on the match.
Roy O’Donovan earned an early yellow card in the 14th minute from referee Michael Weiner for interfering with a Rockdale free kick, leaving the Irish import in a precarious position for the remainder of the match.
Olympic attacker Oliver Puflett created a chance for the home side in the 17th minute, however his effort was collected by Rockdale ‘keeper David Bradasevic.
The 39th minute saw a brilliant effort from Olympic as Darcy Burgess played the ball through to Adam Parkhouse, who struggled to let off a strike and sent it off a Rockdale player and out for a corner.
New Rockdale recruit Will Mutch fired a belter of an effort towards goal in the 42nd minute but wasn’t able to get the ball into the back of the net, with both sides heading to the half-time break without a goal.
After the break Sydney Olympic came out with a bit of fire, creating a chance through the fast-footed Parkhouse who chased down a great ball to cross in for O’Donovan.
O’Donovan had a chance at a header but couldn’t get it close to the goal, leaving Puflett to then attempt another, which was this time collected by Bradasevic with ease.
Rockdale retaliated just moments later through captain Alec Urosevski who fired a shot on target, but Olympic custodian Nicholas Sorras calmly collected.
Some classy combination play saw Rockdale with another chance in the 55th minute but their effort went just wide of the goalmouth and out of play.
Darcy Burgess had a big chance for the home side in the 56th minute, firing a shot off from the edge of the 18-yard box but it soared above the crossbar.
He had another chance in the 63rd minute but he delivered his free kick straight to the hands of Bradasevic.
After a long period of end-to-end play, a goal finally came in the 64th minute to the home side.
Parkhouse made a speedy run down the left flank and cut through to O’Donovan who cleanly sent the ball into the netting to finish.
Olympic had another chance in the 78th minute as Puflett cut a ball back to substitute Nikola Udjur who took a touch before letting off a shot which was again collected by Bradasevic.
Olympic had all hands on deck for their defensive efforts in the final ten minutes of the match as Rockdale upped the ante in their attempts to salvage something from the clash.
The pressure managed to pay off for the visitors as they managed to score a sensational goal from a corner in the fourth and final minute of extra time.
Antoniou sent the ball in from the corner flag and it fell to Griffiths, who managed to let off an incredible shot right in front of goal to finish the game all square with a goal apiece.
Rockdale coach Steve Zoric was glad his side was able to hold on and continue to mount pressure until the final whistle.
“The never say die attitude – that’s what I wanted to see,” Zoric explained.
“We would have been disappointed if we didn’t get something out of the game because I thought we deserved more than that because I think we dominated the game, especially on the ball.
“Their goal came from one of our mistakes because we play a bit of high-risk football so I’m just glad to get something out of the game in the end and see that fight from the team.
Match Stats
Sydney Olympic FC 1 (Roy O’Donovan 64’)
Rockdale Ilinden FC 1 (Lachlan Griffiths 90+4’)
Sunday, 13th March, 2022
Belmore Sportsground, Belmore
Referee: Michael Weiner
Assistant Referees: Hugh White and Joon Park
Fourth Official: Brodie Merchant
Sydney Olympic FC: 1. Nicholas Sorras, 2. Thomas Whiteside, 4. Benjamin Van Meurs, 5. Michael Glassock, 6. Mathieu Cordier, 8. Sam McIlhatton (24. Hagi Gligor 87’) 9. Oliver Puflett, 11. Adam Parkhouse (17. Marley Peterson 67’), 19. Darcy Burgess (10. Brendan Cholakian 79’), 23. Daniel Dias (3. Nikola Udjur 45’), 99. Roy O’Donovan
Substitutes Not Used: 21. Chan Deng, 30. Jeremy Pollard
Yellow Cards: O’Donovan 15’, Udjur 67’, Glassock 83’, Cholakian 90+1’
Red Cards: Nil
Rockdale Ilinden FC: 1. David Bradasevic, 3. Lachie Griffiths, 4. Mitchell Stamatellis, 5. Will Mutch, 6. Daniel Araujo, 7. Alec Urosevski, 10. Tomoki Wada, 11. Peter Kekeris (9. Bai Antoniou 64’), 14. Brayden Sorge, 23. Jaden Casella (25. Alex Masciovecchio 69’), 88. Chris McStay
Substitutes Not Used: 2. Daniel Petkovski, 16. Mohamed Ahmed, 19. Patrick Savor, 20. Matthew Murram
Yellow Cards: Griffiths 89’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Alec Urosevski (RI)
2 – Mathieu Cordier (SO)
1 – David Bradasevic (RI)
By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Editor Madeline Riley
