Urosevski baking and shaking at Ilinden

Rockdale Ilinden’s striking sensation Alec Urosevski has had an impressive season so far in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition, with an incredible four-goal haul against Sydney FC the peak of his 2022 success.

With 10 goals from 10 matches and nine consecutive games undefeated, Urosevski and his Rockdale squad have certainly made their mark on the competition with an ideal start.

“Overall it’s been good,” Urosevski said of the season so far.

“We started off a bit slow, just I think just with the new players and just gelling all together, but now everything’s going well and we’re finding the combinations.

“We’re just hoping that we just keep the momentum going with the wins.”

With the depth of their squad the talking point of their season so far, Rockdale coach Steve Zoric has put together an impressive squad that boasts talent all over the park and even on the bench.

“We’ve got a strong team, strong side and 11, and we’re stong coming off the bench, which really helps, a lot of depth compared to previous years, so that definitely helps,” Urosevski explained.

“It’s good to have that depth, we’ve got the likes of Jaden and Bae that are young and quick and they can give us something different compared to the experienced boys at the back and myself, Dan, Davey.

“We’ve got very good depth all around the park and I think we’re doing all right so far but nothing’s done yet.

Rockdale Ilinden’s defeat of Sydney FC at the weekend saw them earn the top spot in the competition and the goal-scoring glory all went to Urosevski and his spectacular four goal performance.

“It was pretty cool to get four goals,” Urosevski said.

“I think it is the record for my highest in a single game at this level.

“It’s just just good to get the wins and especially against them [Sydney FC].

“We knew that first place was on the line so everyone stepped up.

“I was grateful to get the goals but everyone did step up at the same time.”

After Sydney FC’s Jaiden Kucharksi made a comment in an interview in the lead up to the match, saying that “Rockdale’s going to be a wipeover anyway the way we’re playing,” Rockdale were ready to retaliate with a cheeky celebration taking aim at Kucharski.

“All week all the boys were just pumped up for this match.

“It’s all just a bit of banter and I know that Sydney FC will be up there at the end of the year and they mean well but we were just too fired up that night I think.”

Now that they’re sitting pretty at the top, Ilinden have become the team to beat and with that, the pressure is on to continue their good form.

“Everyone’s going to be coming after us really,” Urosevski said.

“We’re lucky, I think we’ve got another three games at home, which helps us with the home fans getting behind us.

“In this league, anyone can beat anyone it doesn’t matter who you verse, if you’re not on that day you’re going to lose or drop points.

“It’s really tight at the top – I think one loss and we’re back down to fourth or so, so we know we know the pressure is on but at same time we’re confident in the squad we have and the coaches and I think we’ll be alright.”