Rockdale hang on for win against young Sky Blues

Rockdale Ilinden secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over a talented Sydney FC outfit in wet and miserable conditions at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.

The visitors were the first to show they meant business in the 5th minute when Alen Harbas fired a free-kick through the wall to draw a super save from Nick Sorras. Marin France had a shot blocked moments later when skipping through the middle to the edge of the area in what was a bright start for the young Sky Blues.

Though causing the Ilinden defence early problems, the hosts managed to scramble themselves clear of any danger to keep the game scoreless.

Ilinden skipper Alec Urosevski fired into the side netting in reply as Rockdale hit on the break with customary speed but it was Blake Ricciuto who headed home following a pinpoint Chris McStay corner to net his third of the season and put Ilinden one up.

Ricciuto was back at the other end immediately to turn another France effort behind. The Sydney striker fired wide of the woodwork five minutes later but the chances kept coming for FC.

A deflected Urosevski shot was expertly turned superbly round the post by Gus Hoefsloot midway through the half but from the second corner after the ‘keeper tipped the first over the bar, McStay appeared to have scored directly although Ricciuto claimed his and Rockdale’s second.

After the bright opening start from the visitors, Ilinden slowly but surely took control of the game, either with their pacey counter-attacks or, unusually, from set-pieces which they are not noted for.

Brendan Cholakian saw the Sydney FC gloveman turn another effort onto the post before he again hit the woodwork once more barely 30 seconds later.

Ilinden had Sydney’s young charges reeling and were looking to kill the game off before the break.

However, an exciting half filled with drama, strong tackles, goalmouth action and outstanding saves, unfortunately had to end but it was the home side in Rockdale who would lead by two going into the sheds.

Taye Hedley replaced the lively France at the restart as the rain began to fall and make conditions greasy underfoot making life difficult for both sides with the wind picking up also leaving it a much tougher task for Sydney FC to combat both the conditions and a two goal deficit.

France was a constant thorn in the Ilinden side early on but was getting caught out when cutting in from the left wing too often but his pace was proving tricky to deal with.

Cholakian set-up Urosevski, after picking up a loose ball inside the FC half, but the usually reliable striker, Ilinden’s all-time record scorer and one of the best in the league, inexplicably got under the ball and sent it over the top. It wasn’t the easiest of opportunities but one you would expect would have worked the ‘keeper.

Tiago Quintal warmed the hands of Sorras with substitute Mathias Macallister unable to keep the ball in play with the resultant corner caught in the wind and causing no problems.

FC were getting forward, as they had done in the opening stanza, but against a wily, strong and well disciplined defence, they had little time on the ball in the final third leading to rushed decision making.

Dylan Rose replaced Lachlan Middleton and found himself in the book less than a minute after taking the field for an awkward rather than malicious arm.

Kyle Shaw shut down Urosevski who weaved his way into the area leaving the striker still searching for a goal before McStay fired in another effort in the 82nd minute that once again struck the upright.

It nearly proved a pivotal moment in the match as Macallister drove in to net the rebound, Sorras unable to hold the ball in the driving rain, and reduce the deficit with eight minutes remaining.

It made for a nervous ending where Rockdale used all their nous to soak up the time in the now worsening conditions but they saw it through to the whistle to rack up another three points and claim the victory that moved them up to second place on the ladder on goal difference.

Match Stats

Rockdale Ilinden 2 (Blake Ricciuto 18’,30’)

Sydney FC 1 (Mathias Macallister 82’)

Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale

Sunday 18th May, 2025

Referee: Kurt Ams

Assistants: Liam Smith and Matthew Harris

Fourth Official: Mia Velarde

Rockdale Ilinden: 1. Nick Sorras, 2. Hunter Elliott, 5. Giorgio Speranza, 6. Isaac Danzo, 7. Alec Urosevski (4. James Nikolovski 90+3), 9. Moudi Najjar (11. Lachie Constable 79’), 10. Brendan Cholakian, 14. Brayden Sorge, 18. Jordan Graoroski (23. Oliver Puflett 69’), 22. Blake Ricciuto, 88. Chris McStay

Subs not used: 16. Michael Marcevski, 19. Jason Cakovski, 20. Ronan Mulgrew

Yellow Cards: Nick Sorras 90+3

Red Cards: Nil

Sydney FC: 30. Gus Hoefsloot, 3. Kyle Shaw (6. Tyler Williams, 83’)14.Jared Midddleton, 18. Alen Harbas, 20. Tiago Quintal, 21. Zachary De Jesus, 24. Wataru Kamijo, 27. Lachlan Middleton (39. Dylan Rose 69’), 29. Joey Lacey (9. Mathias Macallister 62’), 33. Marin France (10.Taye Hedley 46’), 37. Will Kennedy (4. Joseph Calusic 83’)

Subs not used: 12. Alex Zaverdinos

Yellow Cards: Wataru Kamijo 50’, Dylan Rose 70’, Tyler Williams 83’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Blake Ricciuto (RI)

2 – Chris McStay (RI)

1 – Brendan Cholakian (RI)

By NPL NSW Men’s Reporter Micky Brock