Rockdale Ilinden FC edge Blacktown City FC in five-goal thriller
Rockdale Ilinden FC claimed a hard-fought 3–2 victory over Blacktown City FC in their clash at Ilinden Sports Centre on Saturday evening.
Both sides took to a muggy Ilinden Sports Centre determined to secure all three points, and the opening exchanges were lively. The first clear opportunity fell to the hosts when Brendan Cholakian found space and drilled an effort narrowly wide of the post.
Blacktown responded with attacking intent. Nathan Grimaldi saw a strike deflected over for a corner before Travis Major delivered a superb ball for Kodai Tanaka, who flashed his effort wide of the left upright as the contest began to open up.
Moudi Najjar looked sharp early for Rockdale, making several darting runs and firing into the side netting. The hosts continued to move the ball with purpose and carved out another chance, which Harry McCarthy prodded wide.
McCarthy made no mistake with his next opportunity. After the ball ricocheted around the penalty area, it fell kindly to the striker, who tapped home to give Rockdale a 1–0 lead in the 22nd minute.
Blacktown searched for a response. Nikola Skataric weaved past several defenders but sent his effort over the bar. At the other end, Isaac Danzo arrowed a shot just wide as Rockdale maintained their attacking rhythm.
The visitors found their equaliser in first-half stoppage time. Skataric reacted quickest to a loose clearance, took a steadying touch and rifled home to make it 1–1 in the 45+1st minute.
Rockdale emerged from the break with renewed intent. Najjar was played through and forced Blacktown goalkeeper Cayden Henderson into a sharp save. Moments later, the hosts regained the lead. Najjar’s powerful effort was parried by Henderson into the path of Ollie Wiggin, who tapped home to make it 2–1 in the 49th minute.
Blacktown surged forward in search of another equaliser. Skataric again threatened, attempting to find the bottom corner, but Rockdale custodian Levi Kaye produced a fine save to push the ball wide. The visitors continued to earn set pieces, yet the Rockdale defence stood firm.
The hosts appeared to seal the result in the 90th minute when McCarthy held the ball up well before finding Giorgio Speranza, who calmly slotted home to extend the lead to 3–1.
There was late drama, however. Maksim Jez twisted and turned inside the area before smashing home in the 90+4th minute to reduce the deficit to 3–2.
Rockdale held on through the remaining moments to secure a vital three points at home.
Post-match, Rockdale Ilinden FC coach Paul Dee praised his side’s response following last week’s performance.
“The boys had a positive reaction to last week and delivered tonight despite conceding at two inopportune times,” Dee said.
“That’s the spirited Rockdale performance we want to see all the time, and the boys were magnificent all week.”
Match Stats
Saturday 21 March 2026
Ilinden Sports Centre
Referee: Jake Rose
Assistant Referees: Liam Smith & Daniel Cornofsky
Fourth Official: Lachlan Brownscombe
Rockdale Ilinden FC 3 (McCarthy ’22, Wiggin ’49, Speranza ’90)
Blacktown City FC 2 (Skataric ’45+1, Jez ’90+4)
Rockdale Ilinden FC: 1. Levi Kaye, 2. Hunter Elliott, 4. Reo Kunimoto (99. Matthew Keremelevski ’68, 14. Paul Kalamvokis ’73), 5. Giorgio Speranza, 6. Isaac Danzo, 7. Ollie Wiggin (17. Mohamed Adam ’88), 8. Jerry Skotadis, 9. Moudi Najjar, 22. Harry McCarthy, 26. Harry Van der Saag
Unused subs: 19. Dean Jovcevski, 21. Ronan Mulgrew, 27. Lukas Ribarevski, 37. Jordi Fulete
Yellow cards: Elliott ’19, McCarthy ’81, Kaye ’82, Cholakian ’89
Red cards: Nil
Blacktown City FC: 1. Cayden Henderson, 3. Lachlan Tilt (21. Aiden Renshaw ’76), 4. Nicholas O’Brien, 7. Travis Major, 9. Nikola Skataric (17. Julian Rodriguez ’76), 10. Maksim Jez, 11. Kodai Tanaka, 16. Riley Nolan (14. Mitchell Mallia ’62), 19. Sebastian Hayward, 22. Jacob Maniti (6. Adam Berry ’45), 27. Nathan Grimaldi
Unused subs: 18. Jake Briggs, 20. Cooper Rogers
Yellow cards: Maniti ’4, Skataric ’69, Grimaldi ’81, Jez ’88
Red cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3: Moudi Najjar (Rockdale)
2: Harry McCarthy (Rockdale)
1: Harry Van der Saag (Rockdale)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
