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Points shared as Rockdale and APIA battle for draw

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Rockdale Ilinden FC have ended a horror run of six straight defeats against APIA Leichhardt after holding on for a 1-1 draw at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.

An Alec Urosevski goal late in the first half looked like it was enough to give Rockdale their first win against APIA since 2013.

However, Adrian Ucchino had other idea’s curling a brilliant free-kick into the back of the net in the 39th minute to ensure the two teams shared the spoils.

The result means both sides are still yet to lose after their opening three games for the season.

Rockdale were quickly out of the blocks when Tomoki Awada found Sam Gulisano open in the box but he fired wide.

Sean Symons replied soon after but his effort was straight at the keeper.

Franco Parisi got in on the action when he found Chris Payne inside the area but the striker, unable to get the ball under control, blasted over the woodwork.

Amaury Gauthier was denied by a brilliant reaction save by APIA shot stopper Ivan Necevski in the 14th minute after latching onto a long ball over the top.

Urosevski opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when he slipped the ball past Necevski to complete a rapid counter-attacking move.

APIA responded quickly through Adrian Ucchino.

The midfielder hit the back of the net with a sensational curling free-kick  from what appeared an impossible angle.

Rockdale custodian David Bradasevic saved his side from going into the break down on the scoreboard when he dived to deny Payne.

APIA kicked-off the second period with more determination and soon had Rockdale on the back foot in the early minutes with a last ditch block by Brayden Sorge denying a Sean Symons effort.

Gauthier and Jordan Figon both had chances denied with APIA’s defence struggling against Rockdale’s rapid counter attacks.

The game began to open up midway through the second half with the ball going end-to-end without truly threatening the goals.

Parisi hit the woodwork in the 65th minute after being played in by Payne, before the pair connected again moments later as Payne fired wide.

A goal seemed inevitable in a thrilling closing 20 minutes but neither side could find a breakthrough.

APIA coach John Calleja felt a draw was a fair result in what he called a tightly contested contest.

“Both sides played really well, Rockdale came out with a game plan and we took a little time to adjust to it,” he said.

“Once we adjusted I felt we controlled the game well, although we were a little slow in our possession and movement at times.

“Unfortunately we weren’t good enough to take them and a draw is a fair result at the end of a tough 90 minutes.”

Rockdale coach Steven Zoric said his side’s ability to execute the game plan helped nullify APIA’s strenghts.

“We set-up to play in between the lines,” stated Zoric after

“It allowed more space for our midfield players to surge into when they picked the ball up and go at APIA.

“That was evident in our goal when we picked the ball up deep and set up Alec (Urosevski) in between to two centre-backs for him to run onto.

“We knew we would get joy playing this way against them and if we can get our midfield onto the ball they can start knocking it around a bit  giving our defence a little bit of respite too.

We had our chances in the game, as did they, and our finishing wasn’t perhaps as good as we’d like but we remain unbeaten this season.”

Match Stats

Rockdale Ilinden 1 (Urosevski 32’)

APIA Leichhardt  1 (Ucchino 39’)

Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale

Sunday, 15th March 2020

Referee: Adrian Arndt

Asst. Refs: Andre Gieve & Matt Staples

4th Official: Manuel Limnios

Rockdale Ilinden FC: 1.David BRADASEVIC, 2.Daniel PETKOVSKI, 3.Mick NEILL, 6.Banri KANIZUMI, 7.Alec UROSEVSKI, 8.Tomoki WADA, 11.Amaury GAUTHIER (10.Nikola TANESKI 75’), 14.Brayden SORGE, 18.Sam GULISANO, 19.Patrick SAVOR (15.Mohamed AHMED 34’), 23.Jordan FIGON (4.Mitchell STAMATELLIS 82’)

Substitutes not used: 5.Jake TRAJKOVSKI, 39.Andrew DI BLASIO

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil

APIA Leichhardt: 1.Ivan NACEVSKI, 3.Paul GALIMI, 4.Josh SYMONS, 6.Chris PAYNE, 7.Dom NASRABADI (8.Corey BICZO 46’), 10.Franco PARISI (9.Jeremy COX 77’), 13.David D’APUZZO, 15.Themba MUATA-MARLOW, 16.Sean SYMONS, 18.Adrian UCCHINO, 21.Michael KOUTA

Substitutes not used: 2.Camil ABOUCHAAYA, 14.Nick STAVROULAKIS, 22.Luke TURNBULL

Yellow Cards: Payne 58’, J.Symons 62’, Ucchino 85’, D’Apuzzo 87’

Red Cards: Nil

Man of the Match

3 –  Galimi (AL)

2 –  Wada (RI)

1 – Urosevski (RI)

By National Premier Leagues NSW Reporter Micky Brock          

Mariners picked apart by ruthless Sky Blues

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Sydney FC made amends for last week’s loss in the National Premier Leagues NSW men’s season with a dominant 4-0 win over North Shore Mariners at Lambert Park on Sunday. 

Jimmy Van Weeren’s Sky Blues made up for their 4-0 loss to Marconi by venting their frustrations against North Shore, with Sydney dominating the majority of the match.

Sydney FC were firmly on top of proceedings when the opening goal came in the 14th minute. North Shore were lethargic once they cleared Sydney’s corner, giving Thomas Fay the time to whip in a slick ball to the back post onto the head of Patrick Flottman who made no mistake.

Jordan Swibel took some time to get into his groove but he flicked the switch when North Shore lost possession in midfield and spotted Ryan Wood off his line. The young attacker scored a David Beckham-esque long range goal from inside his own half on 35 minutes.

Very few chances were being created by Mariners with live-wire Panny Nikas struggling to get touches on the ball and Emmanuel Peters seeing most of his movement in his own half linking up play.

Sydney FC heaped more pressure onto their opponents when Jake Hollman skipped past North Shore’s midfield before a nice slide rule pass found Jayden Kucharski.

The winger cut in and placed a calm finish into the bottom corner on stoppage time to make it 3-0.

Luke Ivanovic’s withdrawal on 41 minutes caused concern for Sydney FC. He was replaced by Benjamin Koop.

Edward Caspers was replaced for the second half for North Shore, who played with a new lease of life. Substitute Daniel Saric’s introduction on the right-hand side was reaping dividends for Haywood.

Mitchell Smith came close with his attack onto the near post but his effort trickled wide.

Koop and Swibel had a number of chances squandered but the result was put beyond doubt when Hollman crossed for Swibel to comfortably head into the net to make it 4-0 with ten minutes remaining.

“We could have had easy five or six today,” said Van Weeren. “We obviously want more from youth players and we think they are capable of converting more chances.”

North Shore coach Joe Haywood was disappointed in Van Weeren’s post-match comments and said his team just didn’t come into the match with the right attitude.

“I think it’s disrespectful to say it could have been five or six,” said Haywood. “I think we had the better chance in the first half missed.

“Overall it was disappointing, i didn’t think we were organised and was disappointed with our shape. The team turned up with the wrong attitude today.”

North Shore Mariner’s undefeated start to the season is over while Sydney FC shoot ahead of their opponents into third place.

Match Stats

North Shore Mariners 0

Sydney FC 4 (Patrick Flottman 14’, Jordi Swibel 35’, 80’, Jaiden Kucharski 45’)

Sunday 15th March, 2020

Lambert Park, Leichhardt 

Referee: Michael Bailey

Assistant Referees: S. Edeling, A. Mosnani

Fourth Official: N. Ryan

North Shore Mariners: 1.Ryan Wood (GK), 7.Hugo Forlico (26. Daniel Olaniran 69’) 9.Braden Cheng, 11. Emmanuel Peters, 14.Jesse Piriz, 16.Daniel Dias (23.Damir Prodanovic 67’) 18.Mitchell Smith, 20. Eddie Lee, 21. Joel Tinker, 22. Edward Caspers (19.Daniel Saric 45’), 27. Panny Nikas, 30. Zac Sfiligoi, 32. Brian Jamba,

Substitutes Not Used: 21. Joel Tinker, 20. Eddie Lee

Yellow Cards: Zac Sfiligoi 25’, Dylan Dias 30’, Brian Jamba 86’

Red Cards: Nil

Sydney FC Youth: 1. Adam Pavlesic (GK), 3. Aaron Gurd, 4. Anton Mlinaric, 5. Thomas Fay, 6. Calum Nieuwenhof, 7. Jake Hollman, 11. Jaiden Kucharski, (18. Cameron Peupion 75’), 13. Jordan Swibel, 14. Luke Ivanovic (9. Benjamin Koop 41’), 15. Scott Browning (8. Stevan Stanic-Floody 85’), 17. Callum Talbot, 19. Patrick Flottman, 20. Levi Kaye,

Substitutes Not Used: 1. Adam Pavlesic (GK), 3. Aaron Gurd,

Yellow Cards: Thomas Fay 49’, Jake Hollman 51’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Jake Hollman (SFC)

2 – Jordan Swibel (SFC)

1 – Thomas Fay (SFC)

Blacktown City celebrate magical day as Lewis bags a brace

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Blacktown City have made it three wins on the trot after a comprehensive 3-1 victory over the Sutherland Sharks at Lily Homes Stadium on Sunday

A brilliant brace from Matty Lewis in his 300th game set the tone for the home side before Leroy Jennings secured the points with an 85th minute finish.

Peter Simonoski levelled the score at 1-1 midway through the second stanza but Sutherland were unable to contain an in form Blacktown side.

The win keeps Blacktown in second spot on the ladder, behind Marconi on goal difference, while Sutherland are still without a win after three games.

The opening salvo of the game arrived in the 10th minute when Rhett Desilva for Blacktown City had a shot from outside the box that was beautifully turned around the post by goalkeeper Ryan Norval.

In the 17th minute a free-kick from the right by Adam Berry reached Grant Lynch in the middle of the box, but he skied his volley from close range as the home side tried their luck in the heavy rain that momentarily had lashed Lily Homes Stadium.

The real celebration of the afternoon though took place on the half hour mark. Dakota Askew put in a great cross from the right which found Lewis in the box and his powerful header, from close range, ended up straight in the back of the net past an outstretched Norval.

In the 39th minute Blacktown were at it again. Desilva charged down a clearance ball and made his way dangerously towards goal before setting up Berry who then lashed the ball with some intent.

Unfortunately for his side he sprayed it over the crossbar to spare Sutherland’s blushes.

The first half ended shortly afterwards as the visitors went into the sheds to contemplate how to turn things around in the second stanza of play.

However, the same pattern of play emerged early on when in the 49th minute Jennings had his shot from close range deflected away for a corner.

A few minutes later it was Jennings again who was in the thick of the action. This time he beautifully played the ball to Berry in the middle who pulled the trigger in what would have been a certain goal, but Patrick O’Shea threw everything he had in the way to block the attempt in a truly wonderful display of defending.

In the 53rd minute Lachlan Campbell danced his way through some feeble before firing just a millimetre wide as Blacktown wondered if they were ever going to score again.

A few minutes later and Blacktown should really have had their second when a delightful cross by Desilva was flicked on by Charles Mendy and the ball rebounded off the crossbar.

However, after absorbing all the pressure the Sutherland Sharks managed an equaliser really out of nothing.

Marc Warren in the 61st minute cut the ball back to Peter Simonoski who slotted home from close range as the home side’s defence was caught napping.

However, in the 68th minute Blacktown were given a penalty when a cross from the right was handled by a defender O’Shea and Hassan Jomaa pointed to the spot.

Lewis stepped up to the mark and scored his second goal of the afternoon by placing the ball out of the reach of Norval who had dived the correct way.

Mason Versi tried his luck with a powerful drive for the visitors which wasn’t too far off the mark but then in the 85th minute Blacktown City made it three.

A cross from the right by Askew was met by Berry who fired at ‘keeper Norval who knocked it away instinctively but unfortunately for him straight back to Jennings who this time found the back of the net.

Just a minute from fulltime Blacktown City should really have had their fourth when Suleyman Bangura beautifully fed the ball to an unmarked Jennings who fired over from close range, but it was probably harder to miss than to score from that distance.

After the game the Blacktown City coach Mark Crittenden spoke about his team in modestly glowing terms.

“Matty’s 300th was massively important but three points was more important,” he said.

“We didn’t even speak about that during the week because, while milestones are great, it is a team game. With the win now we can celebrate something with Matty.

“We had a couple of chances to put them away a bit earlier and didn’t take them but, in saying that, we’ll take the three points and move forward.

“We still have improvement in us and we are still not playing the football that we would like to be playing. Some of it is good but some of it is still a bit ugly.”

His counterpart Nick Dimovski of the Sutherland Sharks wasn’t too disappointed with his team despite the result.

“Look, we were slow out of the blocks today and that was evident in the first half,” he said.

“We changed it a bit in the second half and I asked the players to respond and they lifted.

“At 1-1, Blacktown City received a penalty and I can’t comment on that because I would never comment on a referee, but in the end we were just pushing for a result when we went 2-1 down and they scored their third.

“We would like to create more chances because if you want to win a game of football, you need to create more chances and take the opportunities.”

Match Stats

BLACKTOWN CITY: 3 (Lewis 30’ and 68’, Jennings 85’)

SUTHERLAND SHARKS: 1 (Simonoski 61’)

Sunday, 15th March 2020

Lily Homes Football Stadium, Seven Hills 

Referee: Hassan Jomaa
Assistant Referees: N. Wotton, P. Teleki

Fourth Official: C. Wright

BLACKTOWN CITY: 1.Tristan Prendergast, 3.Daniel Collins (4.Yianni Spyrakis 87’), 5.Grant Lynch, 6.Matthew Lewis, 11.Rhett Desilva (15.Jak O’Brien 91’), 12.Lachlan Campbell, 16.Charles Mendy (18.Suleyman Bangura 79’), 17.Dakota Askew, 19.Adam Berry, 23.Leroy Jennings, 24.Jackson Bandiera.

Substitutes not used: 20.Dylan Niski, 21.William Mutch.

Yellow Cards: 32’ Collins

Red Card: Nil

SUTHERLAND SHARKS: 1.Ryan Norval, 3.Marc Warren, 6.Lachlan Everett (99.Jonathan Grozdanovski 73’), 7.Peter Simonoski, 8.Patrick O’Shea, 9.James Temelkovski (15.Mason Versi 46’), 10.Blake Powell, 11.Joey Groenbast, 12.Blair Brown (13.Thomas Papa 59’), 20.Connor Shaddock, 21.Oliver Green.

Substitutes not used: 17.Mario Aleksik, 19.Gabriel Contigiani.

Yellow Cards: Powell 90’ + 3

Red Card: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Matthew Lewis (BC)

2 – Rhett Desilva (BC)

1 – Patrick O’Shea (SS)

By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Joe Russo

Late goal surge gives Manly United maiden 2020 victory

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Manly United left it late to clinch their first three points of the National Premier Leagues NSW men’s season with a tight 2-0 triumph over Sydney United 58 at Cromer Park on Saturday night.

The hosts struck with two goals in the last five minutes as a bullet header from substitute Marley Peterson and Yianni Perkatis own goal shocked a United 58 side who were unable to push on following their 5-0 rout of Mt Druitt last weekend.

The first opportunity of the evening presented itself after 16 minutes as Brendan Cholakian failed to gather enough of a connection on his back-post header.

Two minutes later Jack Fulton almost left an immediate impact on his first start of the season, however his low strike was smartly rebounded to safety by Thomas Manos.

Manly continued to knock on the door and in the 28th minute Sam Gallagher’s front post header soared marginally wide of the mark.

Yianni Fragogiannis created the visitors’ only clear-cut chance of the period with an effort from distance that was comfortably gathered by Dylan Mitchell.

Manly forged a pair of opportunities of their own late in the half however Jack Fulton’s diving header and Scott Balderson’s strike both sailed over the bar.

Sydney United started the second half on the offensive as former Manly winger Matthew Sim saw a deflected effort dip wide of the mark and another into the arms of Mitchell.

Just shy of the hour mark Patrick Antelmi came within inches of breaking the deadlock.

The in-form striker’s close-range header thundered off the crossbar after he appeared destined to score.

The match then settled into a tight arm-wrestle before both Paul Dee and Zeljko Kalac turned to their benches for inspiration.

It was ultimately Dee who struck gold in the 85th minute as fullback Kieren Paull found a pocket of space in the final third before releasing a precise ball that was emphatically nodded home by the substitute Peterson.

Manly continued to push on and just four minutes later a touch of fortune saw them seal their first taste of victory in 2020.

Some clever work from Jamie Glover out wide saw him whip in another threatening ball that United 58 defender Yianni Perkatis inadvertently turned into the back of his own net.

Cromer Park breathed a collective sigh of relief at the final whistle which confirmed Manly’s first competition points of the season, drawing them level with Sydney United on one win out of three to kick off the campaign.

Manly United boss Paul Dee was pleased to see that his side’s hard work had paid off.

“The boys deserved the win after a really hard game against a strong team,” he said.

“We’ve been working hard, trying to stay positive and just concentrating on the things that we know well.

“I think the boys who came in did a great job. It’s always a good thing when you have a squad where people are fighting for positions.

“The boys have tried really hard in the last couple of weeks to make it count in the final third, and after a couple of good deliveries from out wide today we scored the goals, so I’m pleased overall.”

United 58 skipper Adrian Vlastelica remained confident his side will bounce back in the near future.

“I think we played well for most of the game but just lost our concentration at the end and we got punished,” he said.

“The intensity and the effort were there but we just didn’t take our chances in the end.

“We have Rockdale next week and will be back training on Tuesday ready to build for a good result at home then.”

Match Stats

Manly United 2 (Marley Peterson 85’, Yianni Perkatis OG 89’)

Sydney United 58 0 

Saturday 14th March, 2020

Cromer Park, Dee Why

Referee: Michael Weiner

Assistant Referees: L. Greenshields, J. Bell

Fourth Official: I. Libri

Manly United: 1.Dylan Mitchell, 2.Kieren Paull, 5.Sam Gallagher, 7.Jack Fulton (9.Richard Cardozo 69’), 8.Dominic Ferguson, 10.Brendan Cholakian, 13.Scott Balderson (4.Sasa Macura 62’), 15.Patrick Weir, 16.Dean Bereveskos, 23.Bradley Mcdonald (17. Marley Peterson 79’), 24.Jamie Glover, 22.Paul Katsetis

Substitutes Not Used 20.Mackenzie Syron (GK), 6.Joseph Fox

Yellow Cards: Scott Balderson 33’, Dominic Ferguson 50’, Jamie Glover 75’

Red Cards: Nil

Sydney United 58: 21.Thomas Manos, 2.Cristian Gonzalez, 3.Jordan Roberts, 4.Adrian Vlastelica, 8.Matthew Sim, 9.Patrick Antelmi, 11.Yianni Perkatis, 12.Liam Rose, 15.Tariq Maia, (10.Devante Clut 62’), 22.Yianni Fragogiannis (18.Glen Trifiro 71’), 27.Jacob Esposito (99.Joshua McDonald 57’)

Substitutes Not Used: 1.Daniel Nizic, 20.Adrian Vranic

Yellow Cards: Jacob Esposito 44’, Adrian Vlastelica 72’, Liam Rose 78’, Josh McDonald 82’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3- Patrick Weir (MU)

2- Kieren Paull (MU)

1- Scott Balderson (MU)

– By Chris Curulli (Twitter handle @ChrisCurulli)

Frangie double sinks Olympic

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Marconi Stallions made it three on the bounce with a comfortable 2-0 win against traditional rivals Sydney Olympic FC at a soggy Marconi Stadium on Saturday.

A first half brace from Anthony Frangie was enough to secure the points for the home side.

Marconi Stallions remain unbeaten for the season and were in control across the contest against a downbeat Sydney Olympic FC.

The blows keep coming for Sydney Olympic FC who remains win-less albeit a side made up of a number of new players.

There were bright patches for Terry Palapanis’ side including the performance of new Japanese signing Go Hayama but not enough to trouble Marconi on the night.

Sydney Olympic FC were determined to get their season kick-started and had the first two chances of the contest.

Both fell to Bai Antoniou, the former Sydney FC striker drove both efforts straight at the keeper.

League leaders Marconi Stallions aimed to get a foothold in the game quickly. Anthony Costa nodded wide of the left post from a teasing Giorgio Speranza delivery.

Anthony Frangie has been on fire in the opening fortnight of the National Premier Leagues Mens 1 competition and thrashed home the opener.

The Marconi marksman picked up the ball on the right before he thrashed it into the top corner to make it 1-0.

Marconi doubled their advantage in the 24th minute, as Frangie struck from close range.

Connor Evans’ cushioned pass made its way through to the striker who drove the ball low to make it 2-0 to the rampaging Stallions.

That was Frangie’s second successive brace in two weeks bringing his tally to four for the seasons.

Costa was played in well by Stallions captain Marko Jesic in the 26th but was denied by a superb block from Sydney Olympic FC’s Thomas Whiteside then Mitchell Mallia arrowed wide of the post in the 35th minute.

New signing Go Hayama was a bright spot for Sydney Olympic FC in the first half with some fine touches and combined well with Adam Parkhouse for the visitors best chance of the half but they went in down 2-0 to Marconi at the break.

Looking to put the game to bed, Marconi Stallions had the first chance of the second half when Jesic thundered a shot straight at Olympic shot stopper Anthony Bouzanis who recovered on the second opportunity.

Just after the hour mark, Frangie had the chance to complete his hat-trick from a direct free-kick just outside the area. His confidence was sky high but the ball ended up behind the goals.

The game developed into a midfield battle with chances at a premium. Sydney Olympic FC’s best chance fell to Nicola Kuleski inside the box but his bouncing volley whistled wide of the post.

Stallions substitute Martin Fernandez had a chance to swell the home side’s goal difference in additional time but his curled effort flew just over the bar. Marconi picked up their third straight victory of the season.

Speaking following the result, Marconi Stallions boss and former Olympic skipper Peter Tsekenis was delighted with the application of his side to remain unbeaten.

“We had a slow start much like the previous weeks but once we got a foot on the ball, we got control and a good victory.” He said.

“It’s a good start but that’s all.

“We will build from that with the cup games upcoming.

“The boys are on a high and happy to get a clean sheet.”

Match Stats

Marconi Stallions 2 (Frangie ‘20, ‘24)

Sydney Olympic FC 0

Saturday 14 March 2020

Marconi Stadium, Bossley Park

Referee: Tim Danaskos

Assistant Referees: B Wright & M Allum

Fourth Official: J Katz

Marconi Stallions: 1. VEKIC Nenad, 2. MILLGATE Nathan, 3. SPERANZA Giorgio, 4. SPERANZA Roberto, 8. EVANS Connor, 9. COSTA Anthony (23. VELLA ‘61), 10. JESIC Marko, 11. MALLIA Mitchell (17. FERNANDEZ ‘78), 14. FRANGIE Anthony, 16. YOULLEY Liam, 19. CAIRNCROSS Zach (6. RODIC ‘68)

Unused substitutes: 12. ANDREW James, 20. SHAW Dion

Yellow cards: Mallia, Frangie, Vella, G. Speranza

Red cards: nil

Sydney Olympic FC: 1. BOUZANIS Anthony, 2. WHITESIDE Thomas, 6. KULESKI Nicola, 7. ANGEL William, 9. ANTONIOU Bai (14. KEKERIS ‘56), 10. BENEIT ROMERO Raul (8. MADONIS ‘58), 11. PARKHOUSE Adam, 12. MACKENZIE Zachary, 16. HAYAMA Go, 22. FERREIRA Fabio, 33. TSATTALIOS Nikolas

Unused substitutes: 19. BURGESS Darcy, 20. SORRAS Nicholas, 21. THEPH Theph

Yellow cards: Antonio

Red cards: nil

Player Ratings

3: Anthony Frangie (MS)

2: Marko Jesic (MS)

1: Connor Evans (MS)

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