Hungry Rockdale trounce Blacktown and keep first clean sheet
Reigning Premiers Rockdale Ilinden sent a big message to the rest of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition after smashing three past a hapless Blacktown City outfit at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Saturday night.
The game did not have to wait long for the first goal as that man again, Ilinden skipper Alec Urosevski scored with a deft chip-cum-lob in the 3rd minute that sent the home side fans into raptures, a goal that stunned the visitors early on.
Keanu Moore came close the levelling five minutes later but the reliable Nick Sorras was down quickly to deny the effort when pushing the ball out wide before the defence cleared the danger.
It was a moment that preceded a sustained period of pressure from Rockdale that the City back four contained with a steely reserve after the early set-back although it seemed improbable a solitary strike would settle the tie, 1-0 being a rarity between these two sides.
What ensued was a tight battle of attrition in midfield as each probed for openings which resulted in several moments in and around the penalty areas without troubling the ‘keepers.
That was until a quickly taken throw in from Urosevski, after a stunning burst from inside his own area from Jordan Graoroski toward Hunter Elliott, who was adjudged to have been brought down resulting in a penalty being awarded to Rockdale. Up stepped Urosevski who tucked it away with ease to extend the lead when selling Henderson the dummy and netting to the ‘keepers right, his second from the spot in successive games.
Two became three when a lofty free-kick was sent into the box, via Brae Ovens, that eluded everyone except for Blake Ricciuto, like a thief in the night, sliding in at the back stick to toe poke home despite Henderson’s best efforts.
Sorras pulled off a magnificent save at the other end, in stoppage time to deny Jak O’Brien prior to the half-time whistle to maintain his sides three goal lead going into the break whilst a Maksim Jez free-kick sailed wide of the post leaving the scoreline intact and a mountain to climb for City.
Rockdale, more often than not finding themselves behind in games this campaign, came out for the second-half three goals to the good and were looking to add to that tally whilst City Coach Mark Crittenden rang the changes with three substitutes taking the field. It was a move not just designed to keep the rampant Rockdale at bay, but to change the point of attack in an attempt to put away a half-chance or two.
Urosevski broke down the left in the 53rd minute and in beating his marker hared into the box but planted his shot into the side netting to deny the striker his first hat-trick of the 2025 season. Graoroski skied one from a Urosevski centre shortly thereafter.
Blacktown were not playing poorly but met an Ilinden side returning to the sort of form they were capable of producing over the past couple of seasons which would have been compounded had Urosevski not scuffed his shot under heavy pressure that enabled Henderson to save quite comfortably midway through the half.
Sorras punched a Grant Lynch header out and away, City trying desperately to get on the score sheet and, perhaps, place a little doubt in the Rockdale mindset however, in this mood, the home side proved a tough nut to crack before Graoroski had a goal wiped out for offside, his last involvement of the match when replaced by Moudi Najjer for the first change by the home team.
By the final whistle, both benches had utilised their full complement of outfield players off the bench but for Ilinden it was the first time this season they had won back-to-back NPL Mens games and also the first time they had kept a clean sheet too, as slowly but surely the signs were there this team is on the march. For Blacktown, they can have no argument about the result as they were simply outplayed on the day despite displaying some delightful football over the 90’ minutes. It would be harsh to criticise City for their commitment and style of play but for Ilinden it was a great result on a highly charged afternoon.
IN MEMORIUM
Prior to the First Grade kicking-off, in a humanitarian gesture of solidarity, Rockdale Ilinden held an impeccably observed one minute silence in memory of the 59 lives so tragically lost in the recent nightclub fire and the scores of injured parties in Macedonia.
In addition, part of the days takings will be distributed between the grieving family’s at this sad time plus additional Donation Boxes were spread around the ground.
If you would like to donate, please contact the Club directly via the link on their website, $30,000 having already been donated. Members of the Rockdale Ilinden Youth sides released Black balloons, one for each of the unfortunate souls to have passed away.
Our thoughts and prayers are with those who perished and those left behind to mourn. R.I.P.
Match Stats
Rockdale Ilinden 3 (Alec Urosevski 3’,37p’, Blake Ricciuto 42’)
Blacktown City 0
Ilinden Sports Centre
Saturday, 22nd March 2025
Referee: Kurt Ams
Assistants: Aaron Bloch and Lachlan Hines
Fourth Official: Mujtaba Ebrahimi
Rockdale Ilinden: 1. Nick Sorras, 2. Hunter Elliott (19. Jason Cakovski 86’), 4. James Nikolovski (99. Matthew Keremelevski 83’), 5. Giorgio Speranza, 6. Isaac Danzo, 7. Alec Urosevski (23. Oliver Puflett 83’), 10. Brendan Cholakian, 11. Lachie Constable, 17. Brae Ovens (24. Ali Auglah 83’), 18. Jordan Graoroski (9. Moudi Najjar 74’), 22. Blake Ricciuto
Subs not used: 20. Ronan Mulgrew
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Blacktown City: 1. Cayden Henderson, 3. Jarrod McKinlay (22. Jacob Maniti 67’), 5. Grant Lynch, 6. Adam Berry (25. Dimo Dimo 85’), 7. Travis Major, 8. Jak O’Brien, 9. Keanu Moore (4. Lachlan Campbell 46’), 10. Maksim Jez (11. Seung Joo Choi 46’), 16. Ben Berry, 18. Nick O’Brien, 23. Jakob Cresnar (17. Martin Fernandez 46’)
Subs not used: 20. Zac Bowling
Yellow Cards: Seung Joo Choi 84’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Alec Urosevski (RI)
2 – Isaac Danzo (RI)
1 – Brae Ovens (RI)
By NPL NSW Men’s Reporter Micky Brock
