Rockdale Ilinden FC v Blacktown City FC
3:00 pm, Sunday 27 August, Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
The competition’s entertainers Rockdale Ilinden take on Blacktown City at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday, seeking a strong finish to an excellent campaign.
Ilinden’s title hopes were all but extinguished last Friday night, conceding in the last seconds to draw 2-2 with Sydney FC.
Jaden Casella and Alec Urosevski had the team in the lead heading into stoppage time, they couldn’t hold on, though.
There remains a small chance of title glory for Rockdale if they overturn a 12-goal deficit on goal difference and APIA lose to St George City.
With the competition’s Golden Boot star Urosevski on their side, you never know, although it will be a tall order against one of the best second half of the season teams in City.
Blacktown City also drew last weekend, to contrast, scoring in the final moments to snatch a point.
Carlos De Oliveira scored in the 89th minute as they took a point against Wollongong Wolves.
Blacktown moved into third after that result, but they’ll likely need to win again to hold onto it with Marconi Stallions just a point below and St George City just two behind that.
Rockdale won against Blacktown earlier in the season with plenty of late drama in the game.
These have been two of the best teams in the competition in 2023, and they’ll both want to finish with a bang.
Preview by Timothy Gibson, on Twitter @Timg123_