Urosevski back amongst the goals as Ilinden bypass Blacktown City
National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW Premiership contenders Rockdale Ilinden edged past Blacktown City 3-1 in a tense encounter at Landen Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
A goal deep into first-half injury time from Alec Urosevski gave Rockdale the lead before Mitchell Mallia restored parity soon after the break.
Urosevski picked up his second goal later on in the second half, and Oliver Puflett came off the bench to add a layer of security for the visitors, scoring their third.
Rockdale pursued an early goal, holding plenty of territory high up the field in the opening 10 minutes; however, their play lacked the final ball.
The hosts felt an early blow in the match as star attacker Jak O’Brien needed to be substituted 12 minutes in following a knock he sustained.
Midway through the half, City pushed up the field through Maksim Jez whose long-range strike was caught by Ilinden goalkeeper Nicholas Sorras.
Rockdale remained a threat with the likes of Brendan Cholakian and Urosevski looking to combine.
In the 27th minute, the side threatened from a set piece. Christopher McStay’s cross met Moudi Najjar’s head; the attacker nodding wide.
Just before the half-hour mark, Blacktown came close. Mitchell Mallia escaped in behind on the break, crossing towards Travis Major, but his header didn’t trouble Sorras.
In the 37th minute, City had another opportunity. This time, substitute Danny Choi lined up a volley from the left edge of the area that rolled wide of the near post.
With only seconds remaining in the first half, Rockdale took the lead. McStay’s right-sided delivery dropped to Urosevski at the far post, who poked the ball home.
Urosevski’s late goal proved the difference between the teams as they went into the sheds.
Soon after the break, Urosevski almost had a second. McStay picked out the attacker in behind, but he clipped the ball wide.
However, in the 49th minute, Blacktown equalised. Major produced a sensational back heal into Mallia’s path for the winger to slot a side-footed shot into the bottom left corner.
The hosts continued to threaten and nearly took the lead 65 minutes in. Mallia swung in a right-sided cross towards the far post for Jez, who fired wide.
Moments later, Ilinden took the ball down the other end through Cholakian. The midfielder unleashed a powerful effort from range that Henderson had to parry behind.
In the 75th minute, Rockdale re-established their lead. Urosevski demonstrated his striker instincts by reacting fastest to slot a loose ball into the bottom right corner.
Three minutes later, Ilinden almost added a third goal. McStay’s corner found James Nikolovski; forcing a sharp reaction save from Henderson.
The side secured the three points in the 90th minute. Jerry Skotadis drilled in a left-sided delivery that Puflett slotted into the far corner.
Puflett’s goal was the final action as Ilinden retained their place at the top of the NPL Men’s NSW.
Match Stats
Blacktown City FC 1 (Mitchell Mallia 49’)
Rockdale Ilinden FC 3 (Alec Urosevski 45+2’, 75’, Oliver Puflett 90’)
Sunday 6 July 2025
Landen Stadium, Seven Hills
Referee: Eric Saba
Assistant Referees: Amber Morris and Lance Greenshields
Fourth Official: Joshua Langley-Fineing
Blacktown City FC: 1. Cayden Henderson, 4. Lachlan Campbell, 5. Grant Lynch, 7. Travis Major, 8. Jak O’Brien (11. Danny Choi 12’), 10. Maksim Jez, 12. Daniel McHugh (17. Martin Fernandez 71’), 14. Mitchell Mallia, 18. Nicholas O’Brien, 19. Sebastian Hayward, 23. Jacob Cresnar (25. Reuben Awaritefe 85’)
Substitutes Not Used: 22. Jacob Maniti, 24. Jackson Bandiera, 40. Cooper Rogers
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Rockdale Ilinden FC: 1. Nicholas Sorras, 2. Hunter Elliot, 4. James Nikolovski, Giorgio Speranza, 6. Isaac Danzo, 7. Alec Urosevski, 9. Moudi Najjar, 10. Brendan Cholakian (99. Matthew Keremelevski 90+2’), 11. Lochlan Constable (23. Oliver Puflett 74’), 14. Brayden Sorge, 88. Christopher McStay (8. Jerry Skotadis 87’)
Substitutes Not Used: 16. Michael Marcevski, 20. Ronan Mulgrew, 46. Paul Kalamvokis
Yellow Cards: Isaac Danzo 36’, Hunter Elliot 84’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 – Alec Urosevski (RI)
2 -Mitchell Mallia (BC)
1 – Christopher McStay (RI)
Report by Tim Gibson
