Late Ricciuto winner breaks Spirit hearts as Premiership hunt continues
Rockdale Ilinden FC recorded an epic 2-1 comeback win thanks to a late Blake Ricciuto winner against a dogged nine-man NWS Spirit FC side at Christie Park on Saturday night to keep its fight for the 2024 NPL Men’s NSW Premiership alive.
NWS Spirit FC had dreams of a upset win in the first half.
Defender Kyah Williams tumbled the ball home in the 24th minute to make it 1-0. The hosts then had Williams and Yannis Frerck see red and that was to be their downfall as the NPL Men’s NSW league leaders asserted its dominance with waves of attacks soon after.
Alec Urosevski made it 1-1 with his 26th of the season in the 56th minute with a world class finish then substitute Ricciuto completed the comeback with an 88th minute header that sent the traveling fans into raptures.
Rockdale Ilinden FC had the first effort of the contest in the early stages of the match as Mathieu Cordier landed a cross for Dean Pelekanos who slashed wide.
The visitors continued to surge forward. Lochlan Constable put in a cross for Brendan Cholakian whose resulting shot was well saved by NWS Spirit FC keeper Christopher Marques.
NWS Spirit FC sound found their rhythm in the contest. Jared Lum unfurled a strike from range which was beaten away by Rockdale Ilinden FC custodian Nicholas Sorras.
The visitors looked dangerous on the counter. Hunter Elliott, who was everywhere, went for a volleyed effort from the right side which went wide.
The league leaders were stunned soon after as NWS Spirit FC made it 1-0 in the 24th minute. Lum put in a dangerous free-kick which rattled around and defender Kyah Williams tumbled home.
The league leaders tried to find a response quickly. They had a slick passing move which ended with Constable denied by Marques at the near post.
NWS Spirit FC saw out the rest of the first half and took a valuable 1-0 lead much to the delight of the team who pulled in a mighty effort holding out one one of the best attacking teams in the league.
The visitors came out with a renewed vigour in the second half and almost levelled straight after the break. Another teasing cross found Constable who found the side netting.
NWS Spirit FC’s job to maintain the lead got harder when youngster Yannis Frerck saw red in the 53rd minute quickly after getting a yellow card.
Rockdale Ilinden FC made quick use of the advantage and made it 1-1. Urosevski found the bottom corner of the net in the 56th minute with a quality strike and it was game on.
Things went from bad to worse for NWS Spirit FC in the 61st minute. They were reduced to nine men when goal scorer Williams saw red.
Rockdale Ilinden FC kept pushing to complete the turnaround. Another well timed cross saw Constable flick a header over.
The visitors were dangerous on set pieces all night. Defender Daniel Collins had a header crash onto the apex of the woodwork and away while fellow defender Rob Speranza also had a couple of half chances charging up-front.
Substitute Bai Antoniou almost provided the moment for Rockdale Ilinden FC. He planted a brilliant cross right on the head of Urosevski who nodded wide.
Rockdale Ilinden FC finally found a breakthrough in the 88th minute. Elliott with a superb cross found substitute Blake Ricciuto who headed home for 2-1.
Post match, Rockdale Ilinden FC assistant coach Nick Stavroulakis reflected on the gritty win for his side who held their nerve and wit to record a valuable victory in the club’s pursuit for silverware this year.
“We knew we’d come here and have a tough time.
“Teams who are near the bottom and fighting for survival are always going to make a hard day of it.
“We stuck to our way and credit to the boys for coming out second half especially and sticking to the script.
“Everyone involved from our substitutes and coaches played their part.
“All we want to do is focus on the next game and keep working towards always bettering ourselves with very training session and game.”
Match Stats
NWS Spirit FC 1 (Williams ’24)
Rockdale Ilinden FC 2 (Urosevski ’56 Ricciuto ‘88)
Saturday 6 July 2024
Christie Park
Referee: Danny Horstead
Assistant Referees: Cameron Wright & Liam Smith
Fourth Official: Luke Chapman
NWS Spirit FC: 1. Christopher Marques, 4. Jared Mckinley, 7. Richard Darko (8. Grant Cornwell ’62), 10. Michael Konestabo (21. Jayden Tran ’84), 11. Ollie Wiggin (18. Zachary Cianci ’45 (17. Jacob Chidiac ’76)), 13. Simon Nicholas, 15. Takeru Sugita (6. Corey Kavanagh ’76), 16. Ante Bakmaz, 20. Jared Lum, 22. Yannis Frerck, 36. Kyah Williams
Unused subs: 31. Joel Wade
Yellow cards: Williams ’28 Frerck ‘52
Red cards: Frerck ’53 Williams ‘61
Rockdale Ilinden FC: 1. Nicholas Sorras, 2. Daniel Collins (77. So Kataoka ’71), 4. Roberto Speranza, 5. Giorgio Speranza (9. Bai Antoniou ’79), 6. Isaac Danzo (22. Blake Riccuito ’74), 7. Alec Urosevski, 8. Dean Pelekanos, 10. Brendan Cholakian, 11. Lochlan Constable (15. Olayinka Sunmola ’74), 23. Hunter Elliott, 66. Matieu Cordier
Unused subs: 3. Lachlan Griffiths, 20. Ricardo Rizzo
Yellow cards: G. Speranza ‘75
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings:
3: Lochlan Constable (RIFC)
2: Hunter Elliott (RIFC)
1: Simon Nicholas (NWS)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
