Rockdale win in Grand Final rematch
After winning Football NSW’s pre-season tournament, Rockdale City continued their form. They travelled to take on Bonnyrigg White Eagles and came away with a 0:2 victory in the opening round of the NPLNSW.
In truth, reigning champions Bonnyrigg were sluggish throughout while also missing star player Mitchell Long.
The first half wasn’t high on the entertaining side of things. Neither side was able to produce anything of note whilst a goal never seemed likely.
Rockdale’s Tadgh Purcell provided the first half’s only worth talking point. After being brought down in the box (no foul was committed), Purcell found himself on the ground when Rockdale crossed the ball back in. Using his head while on the ground, Purcell innovately guided the ball with his head with some power. However, fortunately for the White Eagles, his shot went wide.
Half time came and went and the action certainly picked up in the second half.
The game began to open up just a little. The White Eagles began to put their stamp on the game but their final touch in front of goal was poor.
The game’s defining moment came in the 57th minute. Bonnyrigg’s Howard Fondyke was given a straight red for challenge on Idriss El Hafiane.
Forced to play the last half an hour with 10 men, Bonnyigg were punished for not taking their chances earlier in the half.
Rockdale substitute Ben Cornish opened the scoring with a super strike. It was a tremendous strike from 25 yards out, flying into the top corner and a surefire contender for goal of the season.
Six minutes later, Nikola Taneski doubled Rockdale’s lead. He was on the end of a Paul Reid pass, cutting in on his left and slotting the ball past Matthew Nash to seal the game and three points.
In the end, Rockdale were deserved winners. Bonnyrigg could only blame themselves, squandering a number of opportunities whilst also not being quite up to pace.
Next week sees Bonnyrigg visit Manly United at Cromer Park. Kick off is at 3:15pm on Sunday 23rd March. Meanwhile Rockdale host Sydney United, also on Sunday with kick off at 3pm at Ilinden Sports Centre.
Match Stats
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 0
Rockdale City Suns 2 (Ben Cornish 72′, Nick Taneski 78′)
Saturday 15th March, 2014
Bonnyrigg Sports Centre, Bonnyrigg
Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones
Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields and JoonPark
Fourth Official: Kearney Robinson
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1.Matthew Nash; 2.Alexander Mansueto, 5.Chris Tadrosse (C), 6.Nikola Zonjic, 7.Tynan Diaz, 8.Alexander Canak, 9.Robert Younis, 14.Jordan Crighton (34.Dillon Vorster 66′), 16.Howard Fondyke, 18.Adrian Ucchino, 21.Bo Hyun Chun
Interchange: 22.Liam Gobbo (GK), 4.Tarek Ercan, 12.Dylan Fox, 17.Mitchell Osmond
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Howard Fondyke 57′
Rockdale City Suns: 1.Tomislav Arcaba; 3.Steven Hesketh, 5.Paul Reid (2.Andrija Petkovic 88′), 6.Takuya Murayama, 7.Toufic Alameddine (10.Nikola Taneski 65′), 8.Paul Kohler, 9.Tadhg Purcell; 12.Idriss El Hafiane, 16.Daniel Barac, 21.Patrick Savor (13.Ben Cornish 69′), 23.Askin Oygur (C)
Interchange: 22.David Bradesevic (GK); 17.Hristijan Tanoski.
Yellow Cards: Steven Hesketh 37′
Red Cards: Nil
Match Stats and photo provided by Football NSW. To view the round’s other match results, click here.
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