Urosevski double keeps Rockdale’s Premiership hopes alive
Alec Urosevski continues to smash records as the all-time Rockdale Ilinden goalscorer bagged a brace in his side’s 2-0 victory over the NWS Spirit FC as the club continues its push for an elusive Premiership putting pressure on table toppers APIA Leichhardt.
The game was sliced open in the 6th minute when Rockdale Ilinden took the lead. A long ball from Diego Celis from midfield found a galloping Urosevski, who made no mistake with his lethal left-foot from outside the box.
A few minutes later another ball into the box almost rewarded Celis who knocked it wide of the target as he was thwarted by an out-rushing Christopher Marques.
In the 15th minute Rockdale Ilinden came very close again when a corner reached Iain Ramsay on the edge of the box who, with a delightful volley, tested Marques.
The home side continued to apply pressure in the 23rd minute but Ramsay was again denied. The initial ball from Celis was perfect for Jaden Casella who sprinted into the box, beat the goalkeeper and then fed the ball to Ramsay who fired from close range, but his shot was cleared off the line by the desperate Spirit FC defence.
The home supporters didn’t have to wait too long for their second goal which duly arrived when Casella pounced on a loose ball before finding Urosevski who, as sharp as ever, made no mistake and found the back of the net to record his 26th goal of the season.
In the 42nd minute NWS Spirit had their best chance of the half when a nice cross into the box found Matthew Cahill in the middle, but his header was well saved by Harrison Devenish-Meares in only his second game of the season after signing-on with Rockdale following his return from Romania.
In the second half the first opportunity belonged to Spirit FC when Ollie Wiggin tried his luck from close range but Devenish-Meares made a good save. There was almost an instant reply from Rockdale but after some scrappy play, Urosevski fired over the crossbar.
In the 58th minute there was an audacious attempt from the home side. A wonderful cross from Ramsay found Celis on the edge of the box who tried a spectacular volley that just shaved the post. It was very close indeed and would have definitely made the highlights reel for the season if it had have hit the target.
In the 70th minute a free-kick from Luiz Lobo just flew over the crossbar in what could have been a nice break for the visitors as they were desperately trying to get back into the game.
Late in the encounter Wiggin fired a rocket from outside the box that Devenish-Meares got down well to block and once again deny the visitors a goal.
The game itself was played in the right spirit by both teams and experienced referee Kurt Ams had no trouble in allowing the entertaining clash to flow.
After the game the Rockdale Ilinden coaching staff of Paul Dee and assistant Nick Stavroulakis were absolutely delighted with the result considering they had a number of absentees and sicknesses. Both Isaac Danzo and Brendan Cholakian have been ruled out for the year while Urosevski, Lochie Constable and Daniel Collins were all struggling with sickness but played on despite not training much all week.
Speaking after the encounter Paul Dee, who also celebrated his birthday today, stated.
“This is what was needed. We had a fair few challenges today but that was a great win today.
“We have had injuries, suspensions and illnesses go through the team, so the squad was at bare-bones again. I have so many positives to say about the team, assistant coach and all the staff involved with the team that I am almost running out of positives to say about them all.
“No matter the challenge so far this year, and there have been multiple, they have risen to meet every one of them and they continue to show up with passion.
“We are still in contention with two games to go and two tough teams with Sydney FC and Blacktown City to come.
“We will continue to build our style of play within the culture of this club over the next two rounds and we are very proud of them all, for all that they do every week.”
Match Stats
ROCKDALE ILINDEN FC: 2 (Urosevski 6’, 25’)
NWS SPIRIT FC: 0
Sunday 13th August 2023
Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale
Referee: Kurt Ams
Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields and Andrej Giev
Fourth Official: Thomas Dale
ROCKDALE ILINDEN FC: 20. Harrison Devenish-Meares, 2. Daniel Collins, 3. Lachlan Griffiths, 4. Nikola Ujdur, 7. Alec Urosevski (34. Jason Cakovski 89’), 9. Bai Antoniou, 11. Lochlan Constable (30. Trelawney Brown 75’), 14. Brayden Sorge, 17. Iain Ramsay (42. Benjamin Wass 75’), 21. Diego Celis, 23. Jaden Casella.
Substitutes not used: 26. James Husoy, 29. George Kriezis, 33. Paul Kalamvokis.
Yellow Cards: Ujdur 22’, Griffiths 37’, Brown 82’
Red Cards: Nil
NWS SPIRIT FC: 1. Christopher Marques, 3. Mushadi Kokubo, 4. Kota Odakura, 5. Jordan Gomez (20. Jared Lum 62’), 6. Corey Kavanagh, 7. Richard Darko (15. Paul Katsetis 62’), 10. Peter Kekeris (21. Luiz Lobo 46’), 11. Ollie Wiggin, 13. Simon Nicholas, 17. Matthew Cahill (2. Anthony Younis 82’), 19. Daniel Mitwali (16. Kyle Shaw 92’).
Substitute not used: 12. Jacob Madden.
Yellow Cards: Odakura 66’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Diego Celis (RI)
2 – Alec Urosevski (RI)
1 – Harrison Devenish-Meares (RI)
By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Joe Russo
