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Stallions stung by Suns

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Rockdale City Suns took out its first victory of the 2019 NPL NSW Men’s campaign and condemned the Marconi Stallions to its second successive loss with a come from behind 2-1 victory at Marconi Stadium on a soggy Saturday evening in Sydney’s West.

The game oscillated in the first half and in the 7th minute, after a scramble near the box, Anthony Frangie had the ball in the back of the net for Marconi, but it was disallowed for offside.

Shortly afterwards, Suns form player Matthew Lecce tried his luck from way out but his rocket sailed narrowly over the crossbar as the visitors came close.

The mercurial Panny Nikas then blasted the ball towards goal from just outside the box but he was brilliantly denied by the Marconi custodian Nenad Vekic who turned it over the crossbar with aplomb.

Marconi opened the scoring from virtually nothing in the 22nd minute.

A free-kick made its way forward until it reached Richie Cardozo who beautifully chipped the goalkeeper off his line much to the delight of the home crowd.

In the 35th Khang-Hoon Cho on the turn tried his luck for Rockdale but his well-intended attempt was deflected rather fortuitously by Frangie for another corner.

Marko Jesic replied for Marconi and fired from distance close to the break; however, the ball sailed marginally wide of the post for what would have been a great Marconi goal going into the interval.

Early in the second half, Patrick Savor came close for Rockdale with a shot from distance that only just missed the intended target.

It was Jesic again for Marconi who in the 60th minute with a rocket from close range that brought out the best in ‘keeper David Bradasevic.

Rockdale City Suns did score the equaliser in the 68th minute when the ball drifted across to Nikas who was unmarked and the prolific scorer showed that he had lost none of his midas touch as he drilled home and opened the scoring for the visitors.

It sparked a revival for Paul Reid’s men as they found a winner late in the second half.

In the 85th minute the Suns rocked the Stallions when an Alec Urosevski cross from the right reached an unmarked Lecce who, with a powerful diagonal header, beat all and sundry to give the visitors the lead much to the frustration of the Marconi bench.

It proved to be the winner much to the delight of the traveling Suns fans as the Stallions spectators looked on in despair.

After the game, Rockdale City Suns coach Paul Reid was pleased to have chalked up his first win of the season.

“I didn’t think that we deserved to be down 1-0 at halftime,” he said.

“Marconi were probably a bit more aggressive than us in the first half and we got pushed off the ball, but we just needed to match them physically and I knew that our football would come through in the end.

“People say subs change games and tonight they definitely did because they gave us energy in the second half and were influential in both the goals.

“We have a really good squad and it was good that we got the three points that we thoroughly deserved.

“Marconi is tough place to come to and it was also a heavy pitch tonight, but we deserved the three points. It’s a long way to go but I am looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Over in the Marconi Stallions dressing room coach Peter Tsekenis was disappointed that his team had come away empty handed.

“Last week we conceded a really good goal but this week we got on top and we were really quite comfortable for a large period of the game but couldn’t close it out,” he said.

“They probably created two good chances and they scored from them. We didn’t take our chances and Rockdale is a quality side because they have players that can hurt you. Once they got the first one, they then got on top but losing that game hurts.”

Match Stats

MARCONI STALLIONS: 1 (Cardozo 22’)

ROCKDALE CITY SUNS: 2 (Nikas 68’, Lecce 85’) 

Saturday, 16th March 2019

Marconi Stadium, Bossley Park

Referee: Stephen Lucas
Assistant Referees: Scott Edelling, Maggie Price

Fourth Official: Sam Kelly

MARCONI STALLIONS: 1. Nenad Vekic, 2. Nathan Millgate, 3. Giorgio Speranza, 4. Roberto Speranza, 7. Sean O’Connell (16. Liam Youlley 80’), 9. Anthony Frangie (23. Brandon Vella 62’), 10. Marko Jesic, 11. Mitchell Mallia (12. James Andrew 80’), 19. Zach Cairncross, 20. Richard Cardozo, 21. Marjan Pavlovic.

Substitutes not used: 14. Peter Pelekanos, 17. Kristian Sekutkoski.

Yellow Cards: Frangie 26’, O’Connell 76’, Cairncross 78’, Youlley 86’

Red Cards: Nil

ROCKDALE CITY SUNS: 1. David Bradasevic, 2. Daniel Petkovski, 3. Michael Neill, 6. Khang-Hoon Cho (7. Alec Urosevski 57’), 9. Jonathan Grozdanovski, 12. Idriss El Hafiane, 15. Nic Petrillo, 20. Howard Fondyke (10. Joshua Da Silva 67’), 17. Matthew Lecce, 19. Patrick Savor, 23. Panny Nikas (16. Alexander Malfara 92’).

Substitutes not used: 5. Jake Trajkovski.

Yellow Cards: 45’ Savor, 79’ El Hafiane

Red Card: Nil

Player Ratings:

3 – Matthew Lecce (RCS)

2 – Marko Jesic (MS)

1 – Panny Nikas (RCS)

-By National Premier Leagues NSW reporter Joe Russo at Marconi Stadium

Rockdale City Suns to celebrate 50th Anniversary via special Gala Ball

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The year 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Rockdale City Suns Football Club.

The Club, founded in 1969, has over the course of its existence, grown at a rapid rate.

From humble beginnings as a suburban local team, to a top tier NPL NSW Men’s  club with over 550 registered Juniors, the club has come a long way.

In 2019, the club has plenty of activities planned to celebrate this milestone.

As an example, you will see our players wearing a special 50th anniversary commemorative playing strip.

On Friday 24 May 2019 there will be a huge Gala Ball to celebrate.

The ball will be taking place at Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf.

It is open to all members of the football community.

In saying so, we are calling on as many former players, volunteers, committee members and supporters to attend to help celebrate.

There are many special events planned for the evening.

It is an opportunity for the thousands of people who have played their part in shaping the Club that we are to come together to both reflect on yesteryear but also to look forward to what lies ahead.

Already we have numerous players and officials from our 1984, 2006 and 2014 Grand Final squads attending.

With over 50% of tickets already sold for this event, our message is simply to get in as soon as possible to reserve your seats.

In addition, we will be running courtesy buses from our spiritual home, the Ilinden Sports Centre, to the venue.

We would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank and acknowledge every single person who has played their part in the development of our Club.

We are a true community club.

We are proud of our achievements and we can’t wait for this special night to celebrate 50 years of ‘Ilinden’.

Go the mighty Suns.

-Rockdale City Suns Press Release

 

Ten-man Suns hold out Sydney United 58 in scoreless draw

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Round 1 of the 2019 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season saw Sydney United Sports Centre play host to a tense stalemate between Sydney United 58 and a ten-man Rockdale City Suns outfit on Sunday night. 

The eagerly-anticipated clash between two historic rivals ended scoreless, despite the visitors playing a man down for over an hour following new recruit Sasa Macura’s 31st minute dismissal for two cautions.

It was also a return to his former ground with Panni Nikas, the much hyped signing for the Suns, being kept quiet by his former teammates.

Notably, a frenetic conclusion saw United 58 custodian Thomas Manos stand tall to deny clear-cut chances for Howard Fondyke and substitute Alec Urosevski, whilst his teammate Glenn Trifiro failed to convert two golden opportunities up the other end.

The hosts may well have snatched all three points in second half stoppage time, as Matt Sim’s curling effort was denied by the woodwork to the dismay of the spirited Edensor Park faithful.

All in all, both Miro Vlastelica and Paul Reid will extract many positives from their team’s opening outing, however the former may well be the more frustrated boss considering his side’s inability to capitalise upon their numerical advantage.

As both sides pressed early to try and kick off their season in style, Sasa Macura’s over exuberance proved costly, as he picked up a yellow card 22 minutes in.

Minutes later the former Manly United midfielder was caught in a clumsy challenge on Yianni Perkatis, leading referee Kurt Ams to award him a second caution without any real hesitation or argument.

Sydney United 58 stalwart Matt Sim forged the brightest opportunities of the first period, however none of which seriously concerned Rockdale’s shot-stopper David Bradasevic.

Rockdale appeared composed considering the circumstances they found themselves in, and continually sent out warning shots to their eleven-man opposition.

Manos was called into action by a powerful low Jonathan Groznadovski shot on 42 minutes, while Nikas’ best shot at silencing the critics on his return to Edensor Park saw a 47th minute free kick deflected to safety by the United wall.

The match clicked up a gear in the final half an hour as both sides traded blows in search of the elusive opener.

Trifiro saw his header sail narrowly over the bar after he was set up by a pinpoint Yianni Fragogiannis delivery, before Fondyke had a first-time wonder-strike denied spectacularly by Manos.

Trifiro then had the goal at his mercy on 76 minutes, but sent his close-range effort high and wide.

With two minutes of regulation time remaining Urosevski found himself one-on-one with the ‘keeper, but a strong Manos palm held firm to stand between Rockdale and all three points.

One of the final plays of the game saw Sim wriggle his way into a sight on goal, before unleashing a precise curling effort that appeared destined for the top corner.

However the ball would instead graze the crossbar, and both sides were forced to settle for a single point to kick off their 2019 campaign.

Post match, both managers offered a positive outlook on the result:

“At the end of the day we were happy,” United boss Miro Vlastelica said.

“We created a few chances that we could have scored on another day but we didn’t. We just need to be a bit more clinical in front of goal.

“You would like to win all of your games but we are going to build from here.

“At the end of the day a point’s a point.”

Paul Reid echoed his sentiments, adding further congratulations to his side’s reaction in a tough set of circumstances.

“I am proud of the boys,” he revealed.“It’s not easy playing with ten men, especially away from home. It was very hot out there, and for the effort that the boys put in I am very proud of them.

“I said to them at half time that if we defended like we did we will create a couple of chances.

“If it was eleven vs eleven we would have gone on and won the game, I know that.

“All in all, we were unlucky not to nick one at the end we’ll take the point and look forward to next week against Marconi.”

Reid’s Suns will carry plenty of confidence as they travel to Marconi Stadium next Saturday night, whilst Sydney United 58 will also search for their maiden victory of the season on the road against Blacktown City FC on Sunday afternoon.

Both teams will welcome back a number of their players who were missing from today’s clash.

United 58 in particular will be getting the services of Patrick Antelmi back from suspension with defender Adrian Vlastelica hopefully returning to the squad. The Red will also welcome  a new edition in the form of former Mariner Josh Macdonald.

While for the Suns, Jordan Figon is edging closer to match fitness after playing in the club’s 20s on Sunday with the return of a few suspended players.

Match Stats

Sydney United 58 0

Rockdale City Suns 0

Sunday 10th March, 2019

Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park

Referee: Kurt Ams

Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields and Patrick Teleki

Fourth Official: Danny Horstead

Sydney United 58: 21.Thomas Manos, 3.Jordan Roberts, 5.Anthony Tomelic, 6. Petar Markovic, 8.Matthew Sim,  11.Yianni Perkatis, 14.Nicholas Stavroulakis, 15.Tariq Maia (2. Joshua DeRossi 90’), 18.Glenn Trifiro 20.Christian Gonzalez (13.Sam Perry 57’), 22. Yianni Fragogiannis

Yellow Cards: Nick Stavroulakis 61’, Yianni Perkatis 94’

Red Cards: Nil

Rockdale City Suns: 1.David Bradasevic, 2. Daniel Petkovski, 3.Mick Neill, 6.Kang Hoon Cho (7.Alec Urosevski, 68’), 9.Jonathan Grozdanovski, 15.Nicholas Petrillo, 17.Matthew Lecce (16.Alex Malfara 79’), 19.Patrick Savor, 18.Sasa Macura, 20.Howard Fondyke (5.Jake Trajkovski 84’), 23.Pani Nikas

Substitutes Not Used: 22.Max Rowston, 21.Blake Currey

Yellow Cards: Sasa Macura 22′, 31’, Pani Nikas 59’

Red Cards: Sasa Macura 31’

Player Ratings

3 – Tom Manos (SU)

2 – Jonathan Grozdanovski (RCS)

1 – Yianni Fragogiannis (SU)

-By Christopher Curulli 

Nikas ready to rock at Rockdale

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They say a change can be as good as a holiday and for Rockdale City Suns star signing Panny Nikas, it could be the perfect formula to catapult the mercurial midfielder back to form and potentially premiership success.

Nikas’ exit from Sydney United 58 to Join premiership rivals Rockdale City Suns was arguably the biggest transfer of the NPL NSW Men’s top tier off season.

If that wasn’t enough pressure for the 30-year-old, the former NPL NSW Men’s Player of the Year has the extra burden of fighting back from a serious knee injury which ended his time at Edensor Park prematurely.

But it’s all water off ducks back for the NPL NSW veteran who believes a new found balance between work, life and football could help him reach some of his best form this season.

“The decision to leave Sydney United didn’t come easy but life factors and the need for a change of scenery made it the logical move to join Rockdale,” Nikas said.

“I work at a School around the corner from Rockdale, live near Rockdale and run a football academy nearby so the challenge of doing all that and then having to drive to Edensor Park  for football just became too much.

“Rockdale had called me every off-season since I was at the Sutherland Sharks and this time it just seemed right to make it happen.

“I loved my time at Sydney United and achieved some great things with that club but now I’m looking forward to this new project and doing everything I can to be successful.”

The addition of Nikas has given Suns coach Paul Reid enviable fire power to his attack and will once again make the Ilinden Sports Centre based outfit an early favourite.

While Nikas’ pedigree is undeniable, question remain whether he can bounce back from the knee injury which has sidelined him since August.

The attacking midfielder’s return to training in January was a positive sign he will be able to make a full recovery as he works towards being fit for round 1.

“I’m feeling pretty good and it’s been nice to be back on the park,” Nikas said.

“Slowly I’ve been getting my fitness back and hopefully it won’t be long until my knee is back to full strength.”

Nikas hasn’t been Rockdale’s only signing this off season with the club adding two-time premiership winning midfielder Sasa Macura and talented defender Leigh Egger.

However, it hasn’t all been incomings with goalkeeper Ante Covic, Blake Ricciuto and Harris Gaitatzis all departing the club.

Paul Reid will make the permanent move to the technical area in 2019 after being a player-coach for the past few seasons.

Nikas said he believed he could be the missing link to help Rockdale end their run of finals failures.

“I feel I am a player who in can make a difference in the big moments and I’ve proven that at every club I have played for,” he said.

“In the finals you need to be able to handle those situations and bring something special which I’m confident I can do.

“I’ve been fortunate enough that I have been very successful in this competition and I’m determined to help Rockdale to a premiership.”

Key player movements

Arrivals: Panny Nikas(Sydney United 58), David Bradasevic (Bonnyrigg), Leigh Egger (Manly United), Sasa Macura (Manly United)

Departures: Ante Covic, Harris Gaitatzis (Sydney Olympic), Blake Ricciuto (Brunei DPMM FC), Paul Reid (Coaching)

-By Nick Houghton

Rockdale City Suns unearth new recruits for new year

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Rockdale City Suns have agreed to terms with a number of key players for the 2019 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition. 

The new additions will complement the core of our existing squad for what should be an exciting season.

Recruits

David Bradasevic

David re-joins the Club following a year away with the Bonnyrigg White Eagles.  An exciting shot stopper who will be looking to make the number 1 jersey his own.  Prior to his departure, David enjoyed four successful seasons with our Club and it is a homecoming that he is looking forward to with much excitement.

Leigh Egger

A versatile and solid defender who joins the Club from Manly United.  Leigh was an ever present part of the Manly backline. Prior to his stint at Manly, he enjoyed a successful stint at Sydney Olympic. Leigh will be looking to cement a spot in our backline.

Sasa Macura

One of the most consistent midfielders in the competition, Sasa also joins the Club from Manly United where he was instrumental in that Club’s 2017 title winning teams. Sasa is known for his quality on the ball and for his ability to control games from the middle of the park. He will be a valuable cog in our 2019 setup and we are delighted to have secured his services.

Josh Da Silva

Josh joins our Club from local rivals Sutherland Sharks.  Josh is an adaptable and versatile attacking player who is comfortable playing across the front third. He has enjoyed a successful stint at Sutherland. Prior to joining Sutherland, Josh enjoyed a successful stint at Blacktown Spartans and prior to that spent a season at the Ilinden Sports Centre.

Panny Nikas

Little introduction is needed for the midfield maestro Panny Nikas.  Panny joins our Club following a highly successful few seasons at Sydney United where he achieved almost everything in NPL football.  Panny is known for his ability to change games and has a track record of dominating games, not to mention an ability to score goals which have regularly featured as goals of the week. Panny is excited to embark on this new challenge.

Matthew Lecce

Matthew is a Rockdale junior who returns to the Club following a year absence where he played for both the Western Sydney Wanderers before making the switch this season to Parramatta FC.  Despite Parramatta finishing at the wrong end of the table, Matthew was an ever present in that team and despite filling in various positions, also managed to score a number of crucial goals. A versatile player who is comfortable across many positions.

Promotion to First Grade

Alex Malfara

One of two exciting young prospects, Alex was a member of our 2018 under 20’s squad.  His performances there have resulted in him being awarded with a position in our first grade squad.  A dangerous attacking player who hopes to force his way into the first grade line-up.

Jake Trajkovski

Another young prospect from our under 20 squad, Jake has also earnt a spot in the first grade squad following a break out season in 2018. Jake is comfortable on the ball, plays with passion and enthusiasm and is versatile to be able to play in either defence or midfield.

Retentions

The new additions to our first grade squad will complement the core of our returning players.

The Club would also like to thank and acknowledge the service of our departing players and in particular, outgoing Vice-captain Steve Hesketh who will be heading home to Perth. We wish Steve and our other departing players the very best.

-Rockdale City Suns Press Release