Premiership hopefuls Rockdale Ilinden fall to Blacktown City FC in the NPL

Bright sunshine welcome both sides as Rockdale Ilinden got off to a good start, with Alec Urosevski having a chance in the opening 60 seconds, which went wide.

Blacktown City FC tried to get something going in return.

Much of the positive work for Rockdale in the first half came through Urosevski and Mitchell Stamatellis.

Both men combined for the opener. Stamatellis passed it wide for Urosevski to float one in off the crossbar for 1-nil.

Again those two operated in tandem in the 18th minute. Stamatellis threaded through a precise ball for Urosevski, whose prodded effort thumped against the post and away. Rockdale aimed to build on its early lead.

Blacktown City found its way back into the contest through its captain, as he took a fabulous touch, then thrashed the ball into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.

That goal woke the Blacktown side up inside the final 15 minutes of the half.

The home side continued with multiple chances to put themselves in front but could not find the net and the game headed to half-time level.

After the break, both sides were much cagier in approach. Chances were few and far between.

Blacktown City held the ball but was unable to find its way past Rockdale shot-stopper David Bradasevic.

Rockdale looked to find a chance on the break. A furious break ended up with substitute Marie Gauthier ghosted into the box, but he slid his effort wide of the post.

Blacktown found some joy as the clock ticked into the final 15 minutes.

A high thump from a home side header connected with the bar. The rebound fell perfectly for Blacktown as they slotted it in the net for a 2-1 lead.

Not content to sit on their lead, Blacktown City FC continued to push forward and found a third goal.

They put the icing on the cake in stoppage time, with some excellent work inside and a finish past a despairing Bradasevic to make it 4-1.

Rockdale Ilinden coach Steve Zoric was disappointed that his side could not find the extra gear against Blacktown City, as the reigning 2020 Premiers were brought back down to earth by the hosts.

"It was upsetting and disappointing," he said.

"We started well [with the goal] and let them into the contest.

"They were eager and out enthused us tonight. It seemed like whatever changes we made weren't working today.

"Now it's back to the training field to work on the small things which cost us."