Van Dieken returns to bring down Cockburn

Report by Peter Simcox

Rockingham City's good form continued after they travelled to Dalmatinac Park and came home with all three points after a 2-0 win against Cockburn City. It was the clubs first ever NPL WA win on the road, and former Cockburn player Riley van Dieken was the hero, scoring both goals to move them to sixth on the table. "It was an excellent first half followed by a professional second half,” Rockingham coach Cameron Lord said. “It is pleasing that we have backed up our result against Stirling team with a win against a very good side. We must continue to perform to the high levels we have shown in the last two weeks against Sorrento next week.”

Fresh of a big win last weekend Stirling Lions last week Rockingham were out of the blocks early and opened the scoring on 18 minutes. Good approach work from James Harmer and James Millard ended with Van Dieken on the edge of the box, he dropped his shoulder to ease past his marker before finishing clinically into the corner of the net giving keeper Luke Radonich no chance.

They doubled their lead on the half-hour when Millard raced clear and was brought down in the penalty area by keeper Radonich and referee Steven Gregory pointed straight to the spot. Van Dieken stepped and sent the keeper the wrong way from the resulting penalty to put the visitors in total control.

Cockburn pressed to get back into the game but found Rockingham keeper and his defence determined to keep them at bay, and at the final whistle it was the green and gold supporters celebrating the victory, while Cockburn have some soul searching to do, as they prepare to take on Floreat Athena next week at E&D Litis Stadium, while Rockingham entertain Sorrento at SafeRad Stadium

Star Man - Riley van Dieken (Rockingham City)

Cockburn City 0

Rockingham City 2 (Van Dieken 18’, 32’)

Saturday, April 13, 2019
Dalmatinac Park
Kick off: 3pm
Referee: Steven Gregory
Assistant referees: Mitchell Barrington, Jamie West

Cockburn City: GK Luke RADONICH, 4 Euen GRANT, 6 Ruben TRISTAO (18 Adam ANFUSO 66’), 7 Luccas MELLO, 8 Cameron EDWARDS, 9 Anthony SKORICH (12 Ryan PRATT 66’), 14 Hayden STEVENS, 15 Daniel SANTICH, 16 Daniel ROBINSON, 17 Devon GIBSON, 21 Jesse LAZZARO (10 David ARAYA 71’)
Substitutes not used: RGK Ben RADONICH, 2 Christopher THACKRAY
Yellow cards: Luke Radonich 29’
Red cards: Nil

Rockingham City: GK Cyril SHARROCK, 2 Jason CONSTABLE, 3 Justis BRADLEY, 6 Blake SOKOLOWSKI (15 Shaz RAMLEE 68’), 7 James MILLAD (5 Harry COLLINS 81’), 8 Jason POTTIER (14 Ryan KENNEDY 76’), 9 Sam MCKEARNAN, 11 Riley van DIEKEN, 12 Lydon HODGKISS, 13 Jarrad MORT, 23 Victor BRAUNER – Substitutes not used: RGK James GREAHAN
Yellow cards:  Brauner 57’
Red cards: Nil