Ilinden’s snatch and grab job sinks Saints
Rockdale Ilinden came from a goal behind to defeat rivals St George FC in thrilling circumstances 2-1 thanks to an injury time winner via the boot of Brae Ovens at Barton Park on Friday.
The hotly contested round 2 National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW match saw Saints skipper Troy Danaskos put his side in front via the penalty spot midway through the second half as the hosts sensed the upset was coming. It wasn’t to be as the reigning 2024 Premiers showed their grit and determination with late goals from Brendan Cholakian and the eventual winner from Ovens that all but broke St George FC’s hearts.
A fast-starting St George FC made several promising forays forward in the opening minutes but couldn’t break the resolute Ilinden defence.
As expected, it was an uncompromising start as both sought the ascendency in a tough tackling no nonsense opening quarter.
Chan Yelchan utilised his blistering pace and came close when attempting to lob Nick Sorras from a tight angle that rippled the roof of the net in the 14th minute while former Ilinden player Jayden Casella struck the base of the post after beating the offside trap less than sixty seconds later.
As in round 1, Rockdale were finding their rhythm difficult to replicate against a very determined St George FC team.
Indeed, St George FC created virtually all of the half-chances by the midway point of the half and could consider themselves somewhat unlucky not to have been on the score sheet.
Brendan Cholakian had Ilinden’s first real shot in anger but saw the ball deflect off Alec Urosevski although Mackenzie Syron looked to have had the effort covered at his near post before a Chris McStay free-kick flashed wide of the upright from distance.
Sorras needed to be smart as he saved an effort brilliantly in the 40th minute from Justin Poon as the hosts came close yet again to breaking the deadlock.
A catalogue of opportunities went begging for St George FC as they would come to rue later in the match, before former Rockdale player Bai Antoniou, fired across the face just moments later.
It would remain scoreless at the break with the home side ahead on chances if not the scoreboard.
Thomas Dunn was sent clean through but under pressure from a backtracking Blake Ricciuto forcing a hurried shot that was handled comfortably by Sorras five minutes in.
Ilinden had a penalty claim waived away when Cholakian went down inside the area, another in a string of fine decisions from Referee Adrian Arndt in a physical match where keeping a tight lid on proceedings kept all the match officials on their toes.
Oliver Puflett fired into the side netting as Rockdale pushed forward but it took Sorras again to keep St George FC at bay when Dunn was through once more on the counter.
St George FC coach, Fabian Miceli replaced Evangelo Souris and Poon with Sunday Yona and Kayden Wright and it worked well as the home side were awarded a penalty on the hour mark. Up stepped Troy Danaskos who made no mistake in finding the net and the lead leaving Rockdale with the familiar feeling of being behind for the second week running. The relief in the stands was palpable after coming so close so often with nothing to show for their efforts.
Ilinden substitute Ali Auglah had an effort charged down after good work on the right saw Puflett drag the ball back for the midfielder amid more shouts for handball and another penalty shout that went unheeded.
At the other end, Antoniou crossed for Yona at the back stick with Sorras again getting a hand to the ball in the 70th minute however the young striker was able to head back into the path of Dunn who lashed the ball goalward with the Rockdale custodian pulling off a quite remarkable save to deny their hosts.
Chasing the game, the visitors were beginning to have the gaps at the back exploited but they were forced to live dangerously if they were to regain parity.
St George FC made their final substitutions, Ilinden made a fourth that did little but throw fresh legs into the cauldron of a local derby.
The tackling got stronger, and no-one could doubt the determination nor commitment from both teams.
It wasn’t the prettiest to watch at times, but it was tough, rugged and thoroughly absorbing.
Urosevski saw another effort strike the post with Cholakian quickest off the mark to sweep home the equaliser in the 86th minute in chasing the game and it was game on once more as the Premiers went chasing for a second.
The comeback was complete deep into stoppage time after a melee involving all players when Brae Ovens thundered home another rebound after a smart reaction save from Syron that his defence couldn’t clear. Football again proving it can be a fickle mistress, particularly on St Valentine’s Day.
It was a smash and grab raid by any standard leaving St George FC coach, Fabian Miceli, to rue the missed chances in claiming a big scalp.
“We knew it would be a tough game against one of the favourites for the competition and in the end, we simply ran out of legs,” he said.
“The early substitution (Chan Yelchan) didn’t help, and we threw everything at them but it told in the end and we ran out of steam.
“It was a great performance against one of the fancied sides and we had the chances to take all three points but our lack of finishing, even this early on, needs to sharpen up and we’ll obviously work on that.
“All in all, a good performance, great effort but disappointed we didn’t take something from the game,” he concluded.
Rockdale Ilinden’s Assistant Coach Paul Dee gave credit to his opponents but was happy that his side stuck to their guns in clinching all three points.
“We have a fit team who keep playing until the end of each game and I believed we deserved the win,” he said.
“They adopted the style of absorbing pressure and tried hitting us on the break and we dealt with that.
“We also missed a couple of opportunities but the amount of possession we had in their half throughout the game and in the attacking third deep in the second half was evident.
“We expected this type of game to be a tough encounter, another local derby, but we stuck to our gameplan and executed it well enough to come away with the points.
“We didn’t create as many chances as we would have liked but we took enough to win the game and that is what matters.
“It was a tough game against a good side, but we were pleased with the final result.”
Match Stats
St. George FC 1 (Troy Danaskos 60p’)
Rockdale Ilinden 2 (Brendan Cholakian 86’, Brae Ovens 90+2)
Friday, 14th February 2025
Barton Park, Rockdale
Friday, 14th February 2025
Referee: Adrian Arndt
Assistants: James Makis and Hayden Michlmayr
Fourth Official: Luke Champman
St George FC: 99. Mackenzie Syron, 3. Troy Danaskos, 4. Mark Rodic (7. Aeden O’Shea 76’), 5. Nick Kalogerou (17. Thomas Brown 76’), 6. Pat O’Shea, 8. Evangelo Souris (16. Kayden Wright 58’), 9. Chan Yelchan (12. Thomas Dunn 21’), 10. Jaden Casella, 14. Justin Poon (13. Sunday Yona 58’), 15. Bai Antoniou, 27. Jayden Seeto
Subs not used: 20. Daniel Axford
Yellow Cards: Evangelo Souris 49’
Red Cards: Nil
Rockdale Ilinden: 1. Nick Sorras, 12. Hunter Elliott (14. Brayden Sorge 65’), 4. James Nikolovski, 5. Giorgio Speranza, 6. Isaac Danzo, 7. Alec Urosevski (18. Jordan Graoroski 90+4’), 9. Moudi Najjar (24. Ali Auglah 65’), 10. Brendan Cholakian, 22. Blake Ricciuto, 23. Oliver Puflett (17. Brae Ovens 78’), 88. Chris McStay (11. Lachie Constable 65’)
Subs not used: 20. Ronan Mulgrew
Yellow Cards: Alec Urosevski 26’, Oliver Puflett 39’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Nick Sorras (RI)
2 – Troy Danaskos (STGFC)
1 – Brendan Cholakian (RI)
By NPL NSW Men’s Reporter Micky Brock
