FOOTBALL
Rockdale City have advanced to the FFA Cup round of 16 after downing Perth SC 3-1 at the Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale on Wednesday night.
Winger Toufic Alameddine put Rockdale in front after 22 minutes when he tapped home from a Mitsuhiro Iwamoto shot that rebounded off the post.
Former Central Coast Mariners striker Dylan Macallister doubled the advantage just before half-time when he headed home from a wicked Alameddine cross for his first goal since returning to the club. See related story.
In chilly conditions at Ilinden, a vocal crowd of 1,857 spectators watched the hosts dominate the early stages.
Rockdale were forced to field a makeshift back four with captain Askin Oygur (overseas), Steven Hesketh (suspended) and Daniel Petkovski (cup tied) all unavailable.
The Suns had the first chance of the match when player-coach Paul Reid volleyed over from a Marko Jesic corner.
Rockdale suffered a blow when star forward Alec Urosevski was forced off after 17 minutes with a hamstring injury.
Macallister could have opened the scoring a minute later but he headed wide from a dangerous Idriss El Hafiane cross.
Rockdale went close again in the 25th minute when referee Katie Patterson gave the Suns a freekick after the lively Alameddine was brought down by Julian Madaschi.
Jesic’s well-struck effort was deflected out for a corner.
Macallister had another chance just after the half hour mark but could only find the side netting after Alameddine had stolen possession deep in Perth’s half.
Perth began to come into the game as the half wore on and fashioned their first chance after 40 minutes but Nicholas Ambrogio failed to trouble Ivan Necevski in Rockdale’s goal, heading over.
Rockdale started the second half brightly and could have had the game wrapped up five minutes after the break when Reid stormed through the middle of the park and played in Jesic.
The former Newcastle Jets striker could only fire into the feet of Perth keeper Francis Soale but he wouldn’t make the same mistake on the hour mark.
Jesic made a surging run from midfield before playing a one-two with Alameddine and calmly slotting under Soale.
Nicholas Petrillo almost made it 4-0 when he flicked a header inches wide from a corner.
But Perth dragged themselves back into the contest with 20 minutes to play when their captain Clark Keltie smashed home a penalty after Petrillo was adjudged to have handled in the penalty area.
Rockdale were able to see the game out and book their place in the final 16.
In other round of 32 results, Sydney FC downed Sorrento FC 2-0, Adelaide United thrashed Darwin Olympic 6-1 and Lions FC edged out Croydon Kings 2-1.
See The Leader website on Thursday for more.
Leader scoreboard
Rockdale City 3 (Toufic Alameddine ‘22, Dylan Macallister ‘44, Marko Jesic ’60)
Defeated
Perth SC 1 (Clark Keltie pen ’70)
At Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale.
Crowd: 1,857.
Leader man of the match: Toufic Alameddine.