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Saliadarre shuts out Suns as Rangers pounce at Rockdale

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A superb performance from Mount Druitt Town Rangers goalkeeper Carlos Saliadarre has helped his side to their maiden National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s victory as they defeated Rockdale City Suns 2-0 at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday. 

Saliadarre pulled off countless saves to keep his side in the tie after Jordan Gomez netted from the spot and a stoppage time winner from Cooper Coskerie secured the points.

It was all Rockdale for much of the match and if it wasn’t for the display of the visiting glove man they would surely have secured the points.

The result was Rockdale’s second straight home defeat in as many games and their second straight match without a goal.

It’s sure to have coach Paul Reid concerned moving forward.

Rockdale raced out of the blocks and showed their intent in the third minute when Michael Neill drilled in a cross from the left flank.

However, it was the visiting Rangers who took the lead when Gomez netted from the spot, sending David Bradasevic the wrong way, much against the run of play.

Five minutes later saw the start of the Saliadarre show.

The veteran keeper, when seeing an Alec Urosevski free-kick late, got down to his right to turn it around the upright.

He tipped another around the opposite upright shortly after but the best was yet to come.

Jordan Figon sent a bullet header toward goal and at point-blank range it was Salidarre who again reacted to palm the effort away.

Urosevski was causing havoc on the left with the Rangers defence finding difficulty in containing the lively winger who fired across the face of goal from an acute angle.

Coskerie retaliated with a shot straight at Bradasevic in an all too infrequent attempt on goal for the visitors  but as it was they his the half-time break hanging on the slenderest of leads.

Figon was released down the right on the resumption and once more Saliadarre was up to the task and able to beat it out only for Matthew Lecce to fire over from the rebound.

Daniel Petkovski came close with a header at the back stick from a beautifully flighted Urosevski corner and still Rockdale could find no way to restore parity.

They thought they had in the 79th minute when a Lecce overhead kick beat Saliadarre, for the first time in the match, only to see the ball bounce down off the crossbar before being bundled away to safety.

The home side threw everything at Mt Druitt bar the kitchen sink and it wasn’t until stoppage time the game was finally put to rest. Gomez played a wonderful back-heel pass to allow Coskerie a free run on goal and he made no mistake this time when planting it firmly between the sticks.

It was a smash and grab raid by the visitors that left Suns’ coach Paul Reid to comment.

“We dominated the game,” he said.

“But like last week we couldn’t put it away and if you don’t score goals you don’t win games.

“I cannot fault the effort of the players but that’s three times in four the opposition keeper has been Man of the Match.

“We have to be more clinical in front of goal and with the amount of chances we’re creating we should be putting more away.

“It is frustrating and obviously this can happen in football but we have to be more diligent in the final third and stop giving away silly possession.”

“In tight situations, big players step up,” replied Town coach Aiden Desmond before continuing.

“Carlos (Saliadarre) certainly did that for us today. He was outstanding.

“We knew we would have to dig in for the second-half as they would push numbers forward and believed we could grab one on the break.

“We did manage that and whether it was in 46′ or 90′ minute we knew if we could hold them at bay we were obviously in with a shout.

“We have a lot of speed in the team so were able to turn defence into attack quickly and we needed to today but we’ve secured the points and we’re delighted with the result.”

Match Stats

Rockdale City Suns 0

Mt Druitt Town Rangers 2 (Gomez 12p, Coskerie 90+1)

Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale

Sunday, 31st March 2019

Referee: Craig Fisher

Assistant Referees: Janush Adabjou & Jack Bell

Fourth Official: Sebastian Andrews

Rockdale City Suns: 1.David Bradasevic, 2.Daniel Petkovski, 3.Michael Neill (20.Howard Fondyke 82′), 7.Alec Urosevski, 10.Joshua Da Silva (Khang Hoon Cho 65′), 12.Idriss El Hafiane , 14.Brayden Sorge, 15.Nicholas Petrillo, 17.Matthew Lecce, 18.Sasa Macura (9.Jonathan Grozdanovski 77′), 45.Jordan Figon

Substitutes Not Used: 19.Patrick Savor, 22.Max Rowston

Yellow Cards:  Sorge 55′, El Hafiane 58′

Red Cards:

Mt Druitt Town Rangers: 1.Carlos Saliadarre, 5.Jake Mamone (27.Giuliano Airoldi 90+1′), 6.Blake Thompson, 7.Luke Clifford, 8.Mathew Clowes, 9.Alex Boyadjian (23.Adrian Vranic 70′), 12.Nick Trimble, 13.Lord Darkoh, 14.Felipe Zapata (18.Solomon Moahan-Vaiika 90+4′), 15.Cooper Coskerie, 17.Jordan Gomez

Substitutes Not Used: 21.Mathew Nikolovski

Yellow Cards: Gomez 35′

Red Cards:  

Player Ratings

3 – Saliadarre (MDTR)

2 – Coskerie (MDTR)

1 – Urosevski (RCS)

-By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Micky Brock

 

Hakoah stun Suns in smash and grab victory

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Hakoah Sydney City East have stunned Rockdale City Suns 3-0 in a performance no better described than a smash and grab in their National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s clash at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.

It was an incredible result for the Eastern Suburbs based side as they survived wave after wave of Rockdale attack, and less than 30 per cent possession, to snatch three points and a second straight win.

A goal to Nathan Roberts against the run of play helped the visitors take a surprise lead after 40 minutes despite seeing little of the ball for the majority of the first half.

It was more of the same in the second stanza with Gauthier converting from the penalty spot to double Hakoah’s lead before securing victory with another at the death.

Ryan Norval was in inspired form for the visitors playing a major role in the win with a number of brilliant saves to deny Rockdale.

It was an unlikely result but one which is sure to be remembered by both sides long into the season.

The hosts started the better of the two sides but were unable to truly put their imprint on the game in the early stages.

Hakoah were pinned back early by the home side’s attack and did well to absorb the pressure.

However, Rockdale were only getting started and upped the ante 15 minutes into the contest.

Striker Jonathan Grozdanovski should’ve given the home side the lead 16 minutes when his breakaway run was blocked by a last ditch tackle from Connor Shaddock.

Matthew Lecce was the next Sun to spurn a chance when he fired wide from inside the penalty area. Alec Urosevski had a header saved soon after.

Urosevski was proving to be a handful and forced an incredible diving save from Norval in the Hakoah net to keep the game scoreless.

It was one way traffic going into the half with Rockdale creating chance after chance.

However, in a bizarre twist of fate it was the visitors who broke the deadlock after 40 minutes.

Roberts was in the right place at the right time to cooly fire home from inside the penalty box after a pass into the box by Takayuki Noji.

Hakoah had the wind in their sails after the goal and went narrowly close to doubling their lead when Noji fired inches wide of the post.

A brilliant save from Norval right on the cusp of the interval ensured Hakoah went in with an unexpected lead as Rockdale were left to ponder what went wrong.

As expected, Rockdale raced out of the blocks in search of an equaliser.

Time and time again the home side pushed for their opening goal to no avail as a determined Hakoah side dug in deep.

Unbelievably, the visitors did it again and found the back of the net against the run of play when Gauthier converted from the penalty spot after being taken down in the box.

You could hear a pin drop at Ilinden Sports Centre as nobody in the ground could comprehend how the home side were trailing by two.

None more so than Rockdale coach Paul Reid.

With the rain starting to pour down, Hakoah were happy to sit back and slow the tempo of the contest.

Rockdale become more desperate as the minutes ticked away and missed another great chance 73 minutes in when Urosevski fired over after being sent through by Nikas.

Norval had been a thorn in the side of Rockdale all match and he was at it again six minutes from full time.

The Hakoah shot stopper made a brilliant effort to deny a rasping shot from Urosevski before Rockdale substitute Khang Hoon Cho wasted a gilt-edged chance by firing over an empty net.

It summed up the match for Rockdale who despite their dominance couldn’t find a way to score.

To add insult to injury for Rockdale, Hoakah’s Gauthier wrapped up an incredible result in the 92nd minute with a brilliant volley from close range to make it 3-0.

A philosophical Rockdale coach Paul Reid summed up what was a frustrating day for the home side.

“I said to the boys after the match that very rarely will you experience a game where you dominate the entire match and go down like that,” Reid said.

“Hakoah had very few opportunities to score and managed to put the ball in the back of the net each time.

“The boys had their heads down after the match but I told them that’s just football. Sometimes things just don’t go your way.”

A jubilant Gavin Rae praised his squad’s resilience with the Hakoah coach revealing his team executed the game plan to perfection.

“It was Rockdale’s first home game of the season and we knew we were going to have to keep things tight at the back and weather attack after attack,” he said.

“The boys really stood up today and everybody did their job which makes the win even more satisfying.

“It goes to show that on our day we can take it to any team in the competition. I’m really proud of our performance and hopefully it spurs the boys on to continue that form into the coming weeks.”

Match Stats

Rockdale City Suns 0

Hakoah Sydney City East 3  (Nathan Roberts 40′, Amaury Gauthier 59, 93′)

Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale

Sunday, 24th March 2019

Referee: T Danaskos

Assistant Referees: M McOrist, R Osborne

Fourth Official: N Ryan

Rockdale City Suns: 1. David Bradasevic, 2. Daniel Petkovski, 3. Mickey Neill, 7. Alec Urosevski, 9. Jonathan Grozdanovski (10. Josh Da Silva 68’), 12. Idris El Hafiane (18. Sasa Macura 58’), 15. Nic Petrilo, 17. Matthew Lecce, 19. Patrick Savor (6. Khang Hoon Cho 81′), 20. Howard Fondyke, 23. Panny Nikas

Substitutes not used: 22. Max Rowston, 21. Blake Currey.

Yellow Cards:  El Hafiane 39’

Red Cards: 

Hakoah Sydney City East: 1. Ryan Norval, 2. Connor Shaddock, 3. James Coombes 6. Dominic Cox, 7. Adison Sayan, 10. Nathan Roberts (14. Jordan Koton 77′), 11. Jack Green, 16. Hristijan Tanoski (12. Steven Chester 90’), 17. Harry Jones, 24. Amaury Gauthier, 60. Takayuki Noji.

Substitutes not used: 36. Ellis Belios, 8. Oliver Green, 25. Max Ephraim, .

Yellow Cards: Gauthier 69’ Cox 89’

Red Cards: 

Player Ratings

3 – Ryan Norval (HSCE)

2- Amaury Gauthier (HSCE)

1- Alec Urosevski (RCS)

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