Rockdale Rise: Derby Win Sparks Season Revival
Rockdale Ilinden reignited their season with a gritty 1–0 derby victory over St George City FA in Round 12 of the NPL Men’s NSW competition, with Harry Van Der Saag’s second-half penalty proving the difference in a tense local showdown.
After back-to-back defeats, the three points couldn’t have come at a better time for Rockdale, who showed resilience and composure to edge a tightly contested clash. For St George City FA, however, it was another frustrating chapter in a season of fine margins, as despite a spirited second-half push, they were unable to find an equaliser.
The visitors started brightly, firing an early warning shot in the opening minute when Oscar Gultekin’s close-range effort flew just over the crossbar. It set the tone for a fast-paced and physical encounter.
Rockdale responded in the 10th minute through Giorgio Speranza, who unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the area that flashed over the bar—an early sign of the hosts finding their rhythm.
What followed was a tactical battle, with both sides refusing to give an inch. St George City’s defensive structure proved difficult to break down, while Rockdale struggled to carve out clear-cut chances despite enjoying periods of possession.
On the half-hour mark, Rockdale came close when Moudi Najjar’s corner found Lachlan Griffiths at the near post, but his glancing header drifted agonisingly across the face of goal and wide.
St George City had their own opportunity in the 40th minute when Solomon Monahan-Vaiika linked up with Jesse Photi, but the latter’s effort lacked the power to trouble goalkeeper Levi Kaye.
Just before halftime, Griffiths tried his luck from distance, his long-range strike skimming narrowly past the post as Rockdale searched for a breakthrough. However, both sides went into the sheds locked at 0–0 after a tightly contested first half.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 57th minute—and in dramatic fashion.
Rockdale were awarded a penalty after goalkeeper Jack Kenny brought down Jerry Skotadis in the box, leaving the referee with no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Up stepped Harry Van Der Saag, who kept his composure under pressure and fired into the bottom corner. Despite Kenny diving the right way, the strike had just enough to give Rockdale a crucial lead.
St George City responded with urgency.
In the 67th minute, Jesse Photi delivered a dangerous ball into the area that was only partially cleared, falling to Matthew Jackson, whose venomous volley sailed just over the bar.
The pressure continued to build. Substitute Hiroto Dohmoto nearly made an instant impact in the 72nd minute, weaving his way into the box before being denied by a sharp save from Kaye.
Moments later, Ahmad Taleb created space centrally and struck a well-directed effort, but once again Kaye stood firm, keeping Rockdale’s lead intact.
With ten minutes remaining, Dohmoto came agonisingly close, his effort shaving the crossbar as St George City threw everything forward in search of an equaliser.
But it wasn’t to be.
Rockdale held their nerve in the closing stages, defending resolutely to secure a hard-earned win and claim a vital three points.
After the match, Rockdale Ilinden coach Paul Dee praised his side’s response and resilience.
“We controlled a lot of possession in the first half and they were hard to break down,” he said. “Once we broke the block down, I think we controlled the game. It’s a good three points for us and a strong response from last week.
“We are a squad that is still improving and building chemistry, so these points are very important for our confidence. We made a few changes today, and overall the team did well.”
St George City FA coach Mirko Jurilj, meanwhile, was left frustrated after another narrow defeat.
“It’s the story of our season so far—games like these,” he said. “We need to be better in defence and in other areas too. It took for Rockdale to score before we really started playing our game.
“We don’t want to sit back, but that’s where our mentality is at the moment. We’ve also got a number of injuries, with seven players unavailable, which makes things even tougher.”
In the end, it was a derby decided by a single moment—but one that could prove crucial in shaping Rockdale’s season moving forward.
Match Stats
ROCKDALE ILINDEN FC: 1 (Van Der Saag 57’ pen.)
St GEORGE CITY FA: 0
Sunday 26th April
Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
Referee: Declan Woods (Qld)
Assistant referees: Amirhossein Hosnani, Felix Atkin-Bolton
Fourth Official: Reece Edwards
ROCKDALE ILINDEN FC: 1. Levi Kaye, 2. Hunter Elliott (7. Ollie Wiggin 79’), 3. Lachlan Griffiths, 4. Reo Kunimoto (66. Mathieu Cordier 87’), 5. Giorgio Speranza, 6. Isaac Danzo, 8. Jerry Skotadis (22. Harry McCarthy 79’), 9. Moudi Najjar, 11. Lochlan Constable (16. Michael Marcevski 93’), 17. Mohamed Adam (14. Paul Kalamvokis 79’), 26. Harry Van Der Saag.
Substitutes not used: 27. Lukas Ribarevski, 41. Hudson Beddow.
Yellow Cards: Kunimoto 20’
Red Cards: Nil
St GEORGE CITY FA: 1. Jack Kenny, 2. Matthew Wahby, 3. Benjamin Berry, 4. Solomon Monahan-Vaiika, 7. Oscar Gultekin (23. Hiroto Dohmoto 65’), 8. Stefano Rossello (16. Yohn Pederson 46’), 11. Jesse Photi (42. Harry Macarthur 80’), 17. Mason Tatafu, 25. Brodie Clarkson, 27. Matthew Jackson (34. Luke Orsina 87’), 44. Hugo McAteer (30. Ahmad Taleb 65’).
Substitutes not used: 13. Franklin Jan, 16. Yohn Pederson, 19. Roman Culina.
Yellow Cards: Monahan-Vaiika 82’, Jurilj 92’, Berry 95’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Reo Kunimoto (Rockdale)
2 – Harry Van Der Saag (Rockdale)
1 – Solomon Monahan-Vaiika (St George)
By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Joe Russo
