Ilinden snap three game losing streak with valuable win against NWS Spirit FC

Rockdale Ilinden have returned to the winner’s circle following a run of three successive losses with a hard fought 1-0 victory over the NWS Spirit FC at a damp Christie Park on Saturday to reignite its National Premier League NSW Men’s Premiership hopes.

Pau Dee’s troops had to be patient despite being on top for most of the match, their eventual winner coming via Jaden Casella with five minutes remaining.

In contrast, NWS Spirit FC fought hard to play themselves into the fixture in the second half however couldn’t hold out for the point. They had a chance late for the leveler, but Ilinden keeper Ricardo Rizzo stood up to make a crucial save.

With on and off periods of rain throughout the match, it took a while for both sides to settle into things.

Rockdale were perhaps having the better luck in territorial terms.

Despite that, Spirit had the first few chances on goal.

The first opportunity coming through Corey Kavanagh who headed over the bar from a Luiz Lobo cross 12 minutes in.

Another chance came the hosts way five minutes later, Lobo’s corner from the left finding Musashi Kokubo at the back post who headed onto the crossbar.

The visitors finally managed an effort just after the half hour, a shot from Casella cutting in from the right drawing an awkward save from Christopher Marques.

Ilinden’s seasoned campaigner Brendan Cholakian started to take control of the midfield battle and almost put his name in lights following a shot that drew yet another save from Marques.

There was one final chance for Rockdale as Casella sent in a dangerous ball into the box that was met by Alec Urosevski’s head only to be denied by a despairing NWS Spirit FC defender as the whistle blew for the half-time break with scores locked.

Following the break, it was the home side that got into the match early but were unable to capitalize.

Urosevski was always a threat going forward with his first chance of the second half going into the side netting five minutes after the resumption after Cholakian slipped him into the area.

This was followed by two chances at either end in quick succession.

Cholakian at one end while Ollie Wiggin responded at the other soon after – Both just marginally missing the target as the game started to come to life.

Indeed that was the story in a much more competitive second half, chances coming in quick and fast at either end.

Matthew Cahill had an effort for the host across the face of goal which was saved by Rizzo before Urosevski had a chance in similar circumstances seconds later at the other end – his shot on the angle drawing a save from Marques.

The sign of a good team.

It took just one lapse from NWS Spirit FC for the visitors to pounce with five minutes of regulation time remaining. Cholakian slipped a ball through for Urosevski who squared the ball for Casella as he smashed his shot in the back of the net much to the delight of his teammates – it was his fifth goal of the 2023 campaign.

The hosts had one last chance into added time as Mitch Davidson controlled a through ball well before his shot was snuffed out by Rizzo who had a fantastic game covering for the currently injured David Bradsevic.

The match ended as Ilinden picked up three precious points at a tricky place against a tough opponent as they set their sets on retaking top spot on the competition ladder.

Rockdale Illinden coach Paul Dee was relieved having finally taken three points following a tough run in the past two weeks.

“It was a much-needed win for us – it’s the end of a long two weeks.

“It was a good performance in the Australia Cup midweek (4-0 win over Rydalmere FC) and I was very happy with the effort the players put in today.

“To win it late in the game like that, it’s a pleasing sign of the players condition going forward.

“We asked the players to start with the upmost intensity.

“I have the upmost respect for ‘Perko’ and his team so to come here and be really strong in midfield was important.”

NWS Spirit coach David Perkovic was pleased with his side’s response in the second half.

“I thought we were good defensively throughout bar one moment. Unfortunately, one simple error cost us tonight.

“A draw could have been a fairer result.

“The second half was a performance much more like a Spirit team.

“We need to be better in the final third, we’ll address it on Monday and look to improve ahead of next week.”

Match Stats

NWS Spirit FC 0

Rockdale Ilinden FC 1 (Casella 85’)

Saturday 29 April, 2023

Christie Park, Macquarie Park

Referee: Jake Rose

Assistant Referees: Patrick Teleki & Arinath Gobinath

Fourth Official: Rowan Fisher

NWS Spirit FC: 1. Christopher Marques, 3. Musashi Kokubo, 4. Kota Odakura, 6. Corey Kavanagh, 7. Richard Darko, 11. Ollie Wiggin, 13. Simon Nicholas, 16. Kyle Shaw, 17. Matthew Cahill (22. Abuzar Awaz 85’), 21. Luiz Lobo (9. Mitch Davidson 85’), 23. Michael Konestabo

Substitutes Not Used: 12. Jacob Madden, 2. Blake Ilitch, 14. George Kriezis, 19. Dominic Johns

Yellow Cards: Wiggin 74’, Kokubo 85’, Kavanagh 87’

Red Cards: Nil

Rockdale Ilinden FC: 20. Ricardo Rizzo, 3. Lachie Griffiths, 4. Nikola Ujdur, 7. Alec Urosevski, 8. Isaac Danzo, 10. Brendan Cholakian, 11. Lochie Constable, 14. Brayden Sorge, 17. Loic Puyo (77. Peter Kekeris 71’), 23. Jaden Casella (6. Nicola Kuleski 87’), 66. Mathieu Cordier.

Substitutes Not Used: 5. Will Mutch, 26. Steven Kriezis, 34. Jason Caskovski, 41. Maddox Bartho.

Yellow Cards: Danzo 64’, Casella 83’

Red Cards: Nil 

Player Ratings:

3 – Isaac Danzo (RCS)

2 – Nikola Ujdur (RCS)

1 – Kyle Shaw (NWS)

By Justin Smith (@smiththejustin)