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Bulls undone by late Urosevski penalty

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A late Alec Urosevski penalty has helped Rockdale Ilinden snatch a late 1-0 victory against Northbridge Bulls FC who earlier had a missed their spot-kick at Sydney United Sports Centre on Saturday night.

It was a contest in which chances had to be earned, and Rockdale Ilinden FC was able to make their one count.

Urosevski was the hero yet again for Rockdale, finding the back of the net from the penalty spot with only five minutes left on the clock.

The result was a reality check for the Bulls, who were without the magic they displayed in their dominant 5-1 win against Sydney United 58 in round six.

Moudi Najjar had a spot-kick saved in the first half, while Michael Ruhs and Stephan De Robillard were unable to put the side ahead throughout the game before conceding in dying stages.

Rockdale had a fast start to the contest, with Urosevski firing straight at the keeper.

Next, Tomoki Wade stung the hands of Northbridge Bulls custodian Ryan Wood with a pair of efforts that were collected. Urosevski was again in the thick of the action when he cut inside before shooting wide of the post.

Northbridge Bulls started to find their rhythm and were gifted the opportunity to open the scoring from the spot due to a handball. Moudi Najjar stepped up to take the spot-kick, but it was saved well by Rockdale shot-stopper David Bradasevic.

The home side dominated the rest of the first half. The combination between Michael Ruhs and Najjar created some sublime chances. Ruhs strode into the box twice but placed both efforts right at Bradasevic as the teams went into the sheds locked at 0-0.

Coming out of the break, both sides looked to find an opening to break open the contest. The battle in the midfield continued to be ferocious, with no time to waste for any attackers looking forward.

The best chances for Rockdale continued to fall to the feet of striker Urosevski. Twice he found space inside the box, but his finishing touch deserted him as the ball was claimed easily by Northbridge keeper Ryan Wood.

Stephan De Robillard was busy across the whole 90 minutes. The midfielder almost found himself with the opener before it was denied by the woodwork. The game started to crack wide open a touch as the teams searched for a winner.

It was Rockdale coach Steve Zoric who turned to his bench first to change the contest. Zac Sfiligoi entered the game and dipped a shot wide of the post. Moments later, he thrashed one that almost burst through Wood’s gloves.

Time ticked into the final ten minutes, both teams trying to find the winner. In a tight game, Rockdale’s opener came from the spot. A handball gave Urosevski a chance from the penalty spot. The striker slammed the ball into the bottom corner taking his goalscoring tally to six for the season.

Rockdale Ilinden FC was able to hold onto the three points despite some late pressure from Northbridge Bulls. That result makes it back-to-back wins for them, with a visit to Sutherland Sharks next up for them.

Talking post-match, Northbridge Bulls coach Mile Sterjovski thought his side matched it well against last year’s Grand Finalists.

“It was a good performance from both sides. We came up against a team that made the Grand Final last year, and we limited them well. They showed they are a quality team. It wasn’t our night tonight.” Sterjovski said.

Rockdale Illinden FC’s Steve Zoric was happy to take three points tonight and make it back-to-back victories for his side

“It was a tough game. They [Northbridge Bulls] are a mobile side, especially in transition. That is what cost us the penalty in the first half. We thought as long as we kept the game locked up, we could find a winner.” said Zoric.

“The most important part of the back-to-back wins is getting two clean sheets. I thought David [Bradasevic] was outstanding on the penalty save. He was like a leopard getting to the ball and kept the ball out.”

Match Stats

Northbridge Bulls FC 0

 Rockdale Ilinden FC 1 (Urosevski ‘85)

Saturday 10th April 2021

Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park

Referee: K. Patterson

Assistant Referees: C. Wright & L. Webb

Fourth Official: D. Alter

Northbridge Bulls: 1. WOOD Ryan, 3. THEPH Theph, 4. UDJUR Nikola, 6. SEPPING Lachlan (16. JOVANOVSKI ‘82), 10. JORDAN Rory, 11. DE ROBBILLARD Stephan (18. BONILLA ‘82), 13. SCOTT Walter, 15. CASPERS Edward, 17. NICOLAOU Yianni (8. EVE ‘45) 24. NAJJAR Moudi, 26. RUHS Michael (2. MCLOUGHLIN ‘45)

Substitutes not used: 14. PANNUCIO Giovanni, 40. BARRY Griffin

Yellow cards: Scott

Red cards: nil

Rockdale Ilinden: 1. BRADASEVIC David, 3. NEILL Michael, 4. STAMATELLIS Michael, 5. KANAIZUMI Bani, 7. UROSEVSKI Alec, 8. WADA Tomoki, 9. ANTONIOU Bai, 10. GAUTHIER Marie (13. SFILIGOI ‘73), 18. GULISANO Samuel, 19. SAVOUR Patrick, 23. CIMENTI Kyle (11. TANESKI ‘89)

Substitutes not used: 22. DI BlASIO Andrew, 24. ANEVSKI Jayden, 45. NIKOLOVSKI James

Yellow cards: Stamatellis

Red cards: nil

Player Ratings

3: Alec Urosevski (RCK)

2: Stephan De Robillard (NB)

1: David Bradasevic (RCK)

By National Premier Leagues NSW reporter Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)

Sydney United 58 embarrassed by Lethal young Bulls

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Sydney United 58 have suffered an Easter Monday humiliation after a 5-1 boilover at the hands of Northbridge Bulls at the Sydney United Sports Centre. 

If you looked twice when you saw the full-time score at Sydney United Sports Centre, nobody would blame you as the Bulls dismantled United 58 in one of the performances of the 2021 NPL NSW Men’s season so far as the visitors under the age of 21 schooled their senior opponents in every department.

It was by far one of the worst results the famous home side had suffered in a number of years.

Two goals within the first 10 mins and another three before the half had the Bulls cruising before United scored a late consolation.

United old boy Michael Ruhs had two to his name, as did Jake Hollman, while Moudi Najjar scored the other.

Chris Payne scored from the spot for United with just over 10 minutes to go but it was Northbridge’s day as they took home the three points in emphatic style

United fans weren’t even through the gates and the home team was already two goals down.

After only two minutes, Moudi Najjar robbed Jacob Poscoliero of possession before squaring the ball up for Ruhs who tapped into an empty net.

Six minutes later and the lead was doubled after some Rory Jordan magic.

The Northbridge number 10 beat a number of United players in the box and left the easy job for Najjar to finish from a few metres out.

Hollman almost made it three after Jordan and Nikola Ujdur combined, only for a desperate goal-line clearance by the home side defence.

No one was stopping Hollman’s next effort though on 31 minutes.

The Bulls midfielder picked the ball up after a Liam Rose pass and with acres of space curled the ball into Daniel Nizic’s top corner.

Payne finally had United’s first real attempt 10 minutes before half time, only for Nick Suman to pull off an excellent save.

It was Eddie Caspers next to show off some of his own magic before being brought down just outside the area.

Hollman stepped up for the set-piece and buried it in Nizic’s bottom corner to make it 4-0 as the boos rang out at Sydney United Sports Centre.

Just as the home fans thought it couldn’t get worse, it did.

Former Sydney United old boys Liam Rose and Ruhs combined with the latter heading home after a delightful cross from the right.

It was almost six on the stroke of half time, this time Nizic saving well to deny Ruhs an incredible first-half hat-trick.

United’s always reliable Patrick Antelmi had a quiet day at the office as Bulls young defender Teph Teph gave him no favours with the striker being subbed at half-time.

United came out a different side in the second period with Payne going close with a volley.

Suman then came up with an incredible double save, first from Andrea Agamemnonos and then the rebound from substitute Jackson Khoury.

Khoury was creating problems for the Bulls and then broke through down the left before playing a perfect pass for Payne who really should’ve scored.

Matt Sim was then fouled in the box in the 78th minute.

Payne stepped up and sent Suman the wrong way to score United’s consolation.

The United striker should’ve had his second after springing the offside trap but shot wide of Suman’s goal.

The final whistle couldn’t come quick enough for the home side who were outplayed on the day by an inspired Northbridge performance.

Boos echoed the famous BOKA Stand as Sydney United 58 fans voiced their disgust with what they saw as rookie NPL NSW Men’s coach Tomi Vidovic has a lot to ponder in getting his troops back on track once more as the Reds suffered their second successive loss.

Bulls coach Mile Sterjovski was pleased with his teams performance and the way they are progressing but also paid homage to the Champions’ second half performance.

“It’s one of those ones where you’re playing good football and we put our chances away,” Sterjovski said.

“We are getting better and the boys know what it takes to get to that next level.

“But credit to United they came back in the second half and put in a great performance.”

Sydney United 58’s head coach Tomi Vidovic said his team weren’t ready for the battle.

“We weren’t mentally prepared and it doesn’t matter who you play against but if you don’t come with the right attitude and correct approach you will be punished,” Vidovic said.

“We’ll go back to training and work hard, there is no other solution.”

The win moves Northbridge into the top five on eight points, while Sydney United 58 finish the round in second place behind league leaders Manly United.

Match Stats 

Sydney United 58: 1 (Payne 78’)

Northbridge Bulls: 5 (Ruhs 2’, 44’, Najjar 8’, Hollman 31’, 40’)

Sunday 5th April, 2021

Sydney United Sports Centre

Referee: C. Verdicchio

Assistant Referees: H. Fenton-White and M. Allum

Fourth Official: J.Rose

Sydney United 58: 1. Nizic, 2. Gonzalez, 4. Vlastelica, 5. Tomelic (15. Maia), 6. Payne (38. Ivancic 90’), 8. Sim, 9. Antelmi (3. Roberts 46’), 10. Clut, 16. Poscoleiro (7. Khoury 46’), 18. Trifiro (14. Agamemnonos 46’), 22. Fragiogiannis

Substitutes Not Used: 61. Maher

Yellow Cards: Roberts 49’, Fragogiannis 52’, Vlastelica 62’, Clut 66’, Sim 66’

Red Cards: Nil

Northbridge Bulls: 1. Suman, 3. Teph, 4. Ujdur, 7. Hollman (9. Juach 68’), 10. Jordan, 13. Scott (Sepping 63’), 15. Caspers, 17. Nicolaou (McLoughlin 72’), 21. Rose (14. Panuccio 63’), 24. Najjar, 26. Ruhs (De Robbillard 68’)

Substitutes Not Used: 22. Wood

Yellow Cards: Hollman 13’, Caspers 85’, Ujdur 90+2’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings 

3 – Michael Ruhs (Northbridge)

2 – Jake Hollman (Northbridge)

1 – Rory Jordan (Northbridge)

By National Premier Leagues NSW Reporter Nikola Pozder 

 

Bulls buzz in late winner over Wolves

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Northbridge Bulls earned their first memorable win of the season with a late 1-0 victory against Wollongong Wolves at WIN Stadium on Sunday afternoon. 

A Moudi Najjar goal in the dying stages was the difference as the visitors claimed all three competition points – its first since joining both the North Shore Mariners and Macarthur FC concept for the 2021 season.

It was a frustrating result for the 2019 Premiers who failed to hit their mark but seemed likely to hold on for a draw.

However, Najjar had different ideas snatching victory in the most dramatic of fashion.

The Wolves got off to a bright start getting a shot off within the opening minute of the match.

Hamish Lamberton setting off on a lung-bursting run down the right-hand side before delivering a ball into the box finding Lachlan Scott who on the turn forced an important save from Ryan Wood in the Northbridge goal.

In the 32nd minute, Bul Juach nearly had a goal against his former side as he was played through face-to-face with Wolves’ shot-stopper Hayden Durose.

However, Juach failed to capitalise on the opportunity attempting to round Durose but the keeper got a touch on the ball to prevent the first goal of the match.

It was an action-packed end to the first half with Northbridge having two golden chances to take the lead.

In the 45th minute, Northbridge were awarded a penalty with Rory Jordan stepping up and seeing his strike saved by Durose with the keeper diving to his right.

A minute later, Jordan took aim from the edge of the box with the strike deflecting into the path of Theph Theph inside the box whose snapshot was well-saved by Durose.

Despite multiple chances for both sides, the scores were level at the break.

It was a reserved start to the second period but just before the hour mark, the Wolves created an opening as Lamberton played Marcus Beattie in behind in the right-hand channel of the box, but he was unable to put the ball beyond the onrushing Wood.

With just over 10 minutes to play, Bulls’ substitute Charles William almost made the difference as he went through one-on-one with Durose but failed to prod the ball beyond the keeper seeing it trickle away for a corner.

Deep into injury time, the visitors were awarded a freekick just outside the box on the right-hand side near the byline of the Wolves’ defensive third.

Walter Scott delivered the ball into the box which found the head of Moudi Najjar who glanced the ball into the far corner and won the points for Northbridge.

It was a great effort by the visitors who backed up from their Wednesday night’s thrilling 3-3 draw against the Marconi Stallions that no doubt gassed them coming into this match.

Northbridge Bulls coach Mile Sterjovski was happy with the performance but also highlighted how a victory such as this could be the catalyst heading into the side’s next match against Sydney United 58.

“I thought it was a good performance and the win has been coming for us for a little while, we’ve been playing some great football,” he said.

“This will give us a huge boost heading into our next game against the champions Sydney United 58.

“I think this proves to them [the players] that they are great players… they are developing, they are progressing, they are able to compete against the best teams.”

Wollongong Wolves coach Luke Wilkshire was disappointed with the side’s overall performance especially in the first half making specific mention to unnecessary fouls given away throughout the game as the hosts continued to have an indifferent start to the 2021 NPL NSW Men’s season.

“I think at the end we probably got what we deserved, the first half definitely wasn’t good enough… Silly fouls cost us,” he said.

“The second half was better but still not good enough.

“We weren’t anywhere near aggressive enough or positive enough as we needed to be.

“It’s a disappointing day for us but we’ve got to move on.”

Match Stats

Wollongong Wolves 0

Northbridge Bulls 1 (Moudi Najjar 90+2’)

Sunday, 28 March 2021

WIN Stadium, Wollongong

Referee: C. Fisher

Assistant Referees: J. Adabjou and L. Webb

Fourth Official: L. Jones

Wollongong Wolves: 23.Hayden Durose (GK), 2.Taylor McDonald, 3.Darcy Madden, 4.Nicola Djordjevic, 7.Marcus Beattie, 11.Leroy Jennings (17.Jake Lavalle 60’), 12.Harrison Taranto (10.Van Elia 67’), 16.Fletcher McFarlane (6.Ethan Kambisios 67’), 18.Hamish Lamberton, 19.Bilal Belkadi (20.Liam Wille 35’), 24.Lachlan Scott

Substitutes Not Used: 1.Aidan Mundford,13.Stefan Dimoski

Yellow Cards: Liam Willie 45’, Darcy Madden 88’

Red Cards: Nil

Northbridge Bulls: 1.Ryan Wood (GK), 3.Theph Theph, 4.Nikola Ujdur, 8.Sean Eve (19.Charles William 63’), 9.Bul Juach (6.Lachlan Sepping 73’), 10.Rory Jordan, 11. Stephan De robillard (18.Diego Bonilla 78’), 13.Walter Scott, 15.Edward Caspers, 17.Yianni Niccalou, 24.Moudi Najjar

Substitutes not used: 14.Giovanni Panuccio, 16.Jake Jovanovski, 40.Barry Griffin

Yellow Cards: Walter Scott 87’, Moudi Najjar 90+2’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 –  Theph Theph (NB)

2 – Hayden Durose (WW)

1 – Ryan Wood (NB)

By National Premier Leagues NSW Reporter Timothy Gibson  

 

 

Bulls and Stallions play out thriller at Edensor Park

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In one of the most entertaining National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s matches of the season, ten-men Northbridge Bulls played out a heroic and thrilling 3-3 draw against former NSL giants Marconi Stallions in Wednesday evening’s rescheduled round 4 fixture.

Both teams were still searching for their first wins of the 2021 season and it was the Marconi Stallions who looked hungry for the three points in the opening half at Edensor Park. The Stallions held a two-goal advantage at the break thanks to goals from Anthony Frangie and skipper Marko Jesic.

Marconi were unable to hold onto the lead and were on the brink of losing but a late, late Stefan Nikolic effort salvaged a point.

Lachlan Sepping brought them back with a thunderous effort before Rory Jordan equalised in the 73rd minute. The Bulls thought they had the winner when Bul Juach swept finished well in injury time but it wasn’t to be as, just like the match against the Sharks in round 1, Mile Sterjovski’s men copped a stinging equaliser in similar circumstances ironically at the same venue.

The Stallions were quickest out of the barriers and put Northbridge Bulls FC custodian Ryan Wood under a heavy workload early in the contest. Anthony Frangie had a shot then Mitch Mallia tested his range against the shotstopper.

The Bulls were dealt an early blow in the 13th minute after Michael Ruhs was shown his marching orders for a dangerous tackle on Connor Evans which sparked a mini melee.

Marconi Stallions made use of their advantage in the 23rd minute. Frangie again in the thick of the action on the left drifted in a devilish cross which evaded everyone and flew into the back of the net and it was 1-nil to the boys from Fairfield.

Looking to press their advantage, Marconi started to turn their trot in a gallop with their second goal of the evening, Liam Youlley’s thrashed effort was saved by Wood but Jesic was on hand to tap home his third of the 2021 campaign and it was 2-o and cruise control for Peter Tsekenis’ men, at least they thought so.

Bulls were on parade late in the first half, having a pair of chances. Liam Rose stood over a free-kick which the former United 58 ace curled wide then in first half stoppage time, Jake Hollman had a tame effort. Despite that burst, the Bulls went into the half down 2-0.

The Stallions kept their foot on the accelerator in the start of the second stanza. Mallia had a cross-cum-shot drift just wide then Brandon Vella set up for Jesic to thrash wide of the post as the Stallions inched closer to their first win of the season.

Northbridge Bulls showed they weren’t going to be trampled. A moment of magic from former Stallion Lachlan Sepping brought the contest back to life. The midfielder unfurled a powerful shot that rocketed into the net, 2-1 and it was game on.

That goal charged the young guns of Northbridge. The Bulls turned the parade into a celebration with their equaliser in the 73rd minute. Some superb play down the wings opened it up for skipper Jordan to sweep home at the near post and it was 2-2 – it was his third goal of the 2021 campaign.

The game started to tilt end to end. Vella had a solid chance when Mallia held the ball up well to give him space to arrow wide of the post. The Bulls, despite the man disadvantage, pressed hard and created some opportunities.

Stallions substitute and former Bull Emmanuel Peters had an ideal chance to settle the contest in the 84th minute when he strode confidently into the box. Peters curled agonisingly wide of the right post.

It seemed like the fairytale was complete in injury time for Sterjovski’s men. Substitute Bul Juach was free in the box and cushioned his effort into the bottom corner for 3-2. It was pure delirium for the Bulls supporters in the stands as the young chargers celebrated which they thought was the winner.

There was one final twist left in this amazing contest. Marconi Stallions pushed forward for one final effort and it was substitute and new recruit Stefan Nikolic that salvaged a point.

Nikolic was ‘Johnny on the spot’ in the box to stroke home making it 3-3 which is how it ended as the full time whistle blew.

A missed chance for the Stallions who have yet to taste a win in 2021 while it was a heartbreaking draw for the Bulls who battled tremendously almost salvaging the three points albeit with ten men for the majority of the match.

Match Stats

Wednesday 24th March 2021

Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park

Northbridge Bulls FC 3 (Sepping ‘68, Jordan ‘73, Juach ‘90+1)

Marconi Stallions 3 (Frangie ‘23, Jesic ‘33, Nikolic ‘90+2)

Northbridge Bulls FC: 1. WOOD Ryan, 2. MCLOUGHLIN Jack, 3. THEPH Theph, 6. SEPPING Lachlan (9. JUACH ‘ 76), 7. HOLLMAN Jake (11. DE ROBILLARD ‘62), 10. JORDAN Rory, 13. SCOTT Walter, 17. NICOLAOU Yianni, 21. ROSE Liam (15. CASPERS ‘62), 24. NAJJAR Moudi, 26. RUHS Michael

Unused subs: 14.  PANUCCIO Giovanni, 40. BARRY Griffin

Yellow cards:

Red cards: Ruhs

Marconi Stallions: 1. VEKIC Nenad, 2. MILLGATE Nathan, 3. SPERANZA Giorgio, 4. SPERANZA Roberto, 6. RODIC Mark, 8. EVANS Connor (12. NIKOLIC ‘78 (24. LAXAMANA ‘90+4), 10. JESIC Marko (21. PETERS ‘65), 11. MALLIA Mitchell (9. COSTA ‘78), 14. FRANGIE Anthony (17. FERNANDEZ ‘65), 16. YOULLEY Liam, 23. VELLA Brandon

Unused subs: 20. SHAW Dion, 24. LAXAMANA Paolo

Yellow cards: Jesic, Millgate

Red cards: nil

Player Ratings

3 – Anthony Frangie (MS)

2 – Rory Jordan (NB)

1 – Brandon Vella (MS)

By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)

Bulls and Stallions to face off in rescheduled fixture tonight

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The rain may have eased in Sydney and the sun has finally come up as has more action in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition with last weekend’s postponed Round 4 clash between the Northbridge Bulls and Marconi Stallions set to take place tonight (Wednesday) at the Sydney United Sports Centre (7:30pm).

A maiden win for the season will be on Northbridge Bulls’ agenda as they take on the Stallions.

The Bulls nearly pulled off a second-half fightback as they fell to a 3-2 loss against Sydney FC in round 3.

While the results haven’t been exactly what coach Mile Sterjovski would’ve hoped for, his Bulls side has delivered several impressive performances across their opening three matches.

Rory Jordan was back amongst the scorers in round 3 after a brilliant display which could’ve easily featured three or four goals from the former Western Sydney Wanderers dynamo.

If the young attacker adds a clinical edge to his game, he will be a handful for opposition defences.

It will also depend on which current Bulls A-League first team players will come down to assist with club’s push for victory. With talented players such as Liam Rose, Moudi Najjar, Jake Hollman, Michael Ruhs and former Stallions stars Lachlan Sepping and Yianni Nicolaou all possibilities for this match-up.

Looking to stop the Bulls push for their first three-pointer is Marconi Stallions, who are also yet to win a game this season.

The Peter Tsekenis coached side were moments away from getting the job done against Rockdale in in an entertaining round 3 clash before conceding a late stunning equaliser in the 90th minute.

While it was a bittersweet result for the Stallions, they showed signs of their incredible potential.

A key aspect to Marconi’s performance was their attacking stars Mitch Mallia, Anthony Frangie and captain Marko Jesic all finding the back of the net.

When these three are firing on all cylinders, then Marconi will be hard to stop.

Emmanuel Peters also had a promising debut and will be one to watch as he tackles his former teammates.

This game is set to be an exciting clash and a great game to keep all you NPL NSW Men’s fans gripped to your seats with the game being shown LIVE and EXCLUSIVE only on NPL.TV.