Rockdale Ilinden’s finals hopes have taken a hit as the youngsters from Northbridge Bulls FC recorded a 2-1 victory, their third successive win, at the Sydney United Sports Centre on Saturday afternoon.
Jesper Webber opened the scoring with a curler, then a late Nathan Dimou goal made it win number five for the Bulls.
The visitors did equalise through Bai Antoniou, but couldn’t find another goal in a tight tussle against the Bulls.
The loss dealt a huge blow to Rockdale Ilinden’s finals hopes with two games remaining in the season.
Northbridge Bulls FC struck first after 15 minutes as Webber curled home a fantastic goal after some slick combination work to make it 1-0.
The Bulls were on parade early in the contest as Anthony Sparacino tried his luck from range which forced Rockdale Ilinden custodian David Bradasevic to tip over.
Northbridge kept their foot on the pedal as Diego Bonilla and Stephan De Robilliard both thrashed chances wide of the mark in a bright period.
Rockdale Ilinden took their time to settle into the contest and found their range in Patrick Savor, who had a chance that was handled by Bulls’ custodian Levi Kaye.
In a fiery first half, Rockdale Ilinden had the last chance before the break when National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s top goal scorer Alec Urosevski connected well with a cross but only put it straight at Kaye.
The visitors started off the second half in fine style as a wonderful one-two from Peter Kekeris and Jaden Casella saw the latter thrash straight at Kaye then Bai Antoniou swept home for 1-1.
Rockdale Ilinden looked to build on their equaliser with Kekeris involved heavily again – the move fell to the attacker’s foot and he took it first time straight at Kaye.
The visitors, who are chasing a spot inside the top five, stepped up in the contest.
They had a few half chances through Antoniou and substitute Brayden Sorge pushing for three points.
Headed into the final ten minutes, Rockdale Ilinden had a golden chance from the set piece.
Casella stood over the free kick that went over the wall but straight into Kaye’s gloves.
Northbridge got themselves a dramatic winner in the 87th minute as a cross came in and it was
uncharacteristically spilled by Bradasevic into the path of Nathan Dimou to smash home for 2-1.
There was a late chance for Rockdale Ilinden through their main man Urosevski who stood over a free kick just outside the box but it deflected off the wall and away.
Northbridge Bulls FC coach Mile Sterjovski reflected on another solid defensive effort from his side against a strong Rockdale side.
“It was a very tough game,” he explained.
“Rockdale are a great team and put us under pressure for the majority of the game.
“Lately I think we’ve fought well and we only had a few chances and converted them in that type of contest.
“We bought in a few new boys during the window which has given the squad a new lease on life. It really is a credit to the whole squad for the effort they have shown this season.”
For Rockdale Ilinden coach Steve Zoric, he was disappointed by his side’s slow start that cost them in the game.
“We started off slow but we were much better in the second half,” he said.
“We had a few chances which included the goal to [Bai] Antoniou.
“It became backwards and forwards at the end.
“Defensive errors at the back cost us which has become a curse.
“We move onto next week, we have finals to play for, two games to go and if we played like we did in the second half we should be fine.”
Match Stats
Northbridge Bulls FC 2 (Webber ‘8, Dimou ‘87)
Rockdale Ilinden FC 1 (Antoniou ‘48)
Saturday 16 July 2022
Sydney United Sports Centre
Referee: Sebastian Andrews
Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields & Cameron Wright
Fourth Official: Logan Jones
Northbridge Bulls FC: 2. Charlie Ragg, 3. Nathan Dimou, 4. Anthony Sparacino 5. Anthony Krilic, 7. Mason Wells (6. Isaac Hover ‘78), 9. Diego Bonilla, 11. Stephan De Robilliard, 12. Marcus Sparacino (14. Rhys Youlley ‘84), 15. Jesper Webber (18. Nicholas Panuccio ‘90+1), 16. Oliver Jones, 20. Levi Kaye
Substitutes Not Used: 17. Luka Sterjovski, 21. Matthew O’Donoghue, 40. Griffin Barry
Yellow Cards: Wells ‘28, De Robilliard ‘28, Jones ‘37, M. Sparacino ‘80
Red Cards: Nil
Rockdale Ilinden FC: 1. David Bradasevic, 2. Daniel Petkovski, 4. Mitchell Stamatellis (15. Jamie Percevski ‘35), 5. William Mutch, 7. Alec Urosevski, 8. Nicola Kuleski, 9. Bai Antoniou (14. Brayden Sorge ‘69), 11. Peter Kekeris, 19. Patrick Savor (16. Mohamed Ahmed ‘58), 23. Jaden Casella, 88. Christopher McStay
Substitutes Not Used: 17. Vincent Fedele, 25. Alex Masciovecchio, 31. Matthew Marrum
Yellow Cards: Kekeris ‘23, Bradasevic ‘28, Antoniou ‘31
Red Cards: Nil
By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)