It was a frustrating night for Marconi Stallions and Hakoah Sydney City East FC as the two sides shared the points in a 1-1 draw at Marconi Stadium.
neither side reached their potential in a night off missed opportunities and ill-disciplined play.
Both sides were coming off a loss in the previous week and it was the Marconi Stallions struck just before half-time, as Sean Rooney lashed an effort past the keeper. Before the referee could signal the end of the half, Kiwi international Andre De Jong nodded in an equaliser for the visitors.
The second half was littered with half chances for both sides, but it came to naught as the game ended a stalemate as Stallions coach Peter Tsekensis admitted that not winning has become a habit recently for his side.
The Stallions were the first side to fire a warning shot, as Judah Cleur flicked the ball on for striker Sean Rooney who fired directly into the waiting hands of Hakoah Sydney City East custodian Anthony Bouzanis.
Andrew De Jong showed some quick feet, as the forward danced past a pair of Stallions defenders before the Hakoah Sydney City East man rifled a shot that sailed through the area untouched.
In a half that was sparse on chances, Hakoah Sydney City East captain, Mitchell Stamatellis created something from nothing, pinching a ball in midfield before some maniac moments in the box, as the visitors were crowded out.
Hakoah Sydney City East started to find the upper hand as they worked it well across the field but a stubborn Stallions defense continued to deny them space.
the Stallions had goalkeeper Nenad Vekic to thank for keeping it nil-all as he produced two terrific saves to deny the visitors.
Just as the half seemed to be dragging to a dull conclusion, Rooney showed some class to break the deadlock for the home side.
From a neat interplay, the striker strode confidently into the box and lashed home for 1-nil.
Hakoah Sydney City East responded just as referee Katie Patterson was about to blow for half-time. A wicked cross into the box found the dangerous Andre De Jong, the striker nodded home his second of the season.
Half-time seemed to energise the two sides, as both Oliver Green and Marko Jesic unleashed shots in short order after the game restarted. Neither were able to test the keepers.
Jesic continued to be in the thick of the action. From an angled ball the striker looked ready to pounce before a last-ditch tackle from Stamatellis denied him.
Michael Kouta showed his proficiency from the set piece. The defender stepped up after De Jong was hauled down and placed the free-kick in the right corner but a diving Vekic stopped it.
The home side pushed forward in search of the winner. Some neat work from Christopher Nunes to keep the ball alive sent it to Jesic who stood one up for Rooney to nod over.
As time ticked away, the Stallions were urged forward by a vocal crowd as Matteo Poljak tried to bustle past defenders for a chance, Brandon Vella was denied by some desperate defense from the visitors.
Neither team could unlock the stubborn defense as the sides ended up locked up at 1-1 after the full-time whistle.
Afterwards Stallions coach Peter Tsekensis was disappointed not to take all three points in a huge effort from his team.
“It’s disappointing. The boys put in a big shift in a tough game against a tough opponent. We had a few chances that we grafted out that didn’t go in,”
“I can’t fault the boys effort. It’s like anything, winning is a habit and not doing so is the same. So we’re in that position where it’s not coming easy, so we have to work hard to turn it around.” He finished.
For Hakoah Sydney City East coach Gavin Rae he was dleighted with the effort after they fell behind so late in the first half.
“It was a good reaction after they scored. Unfortunately we couldn’t capitalise in the second half but overall, I’m happy with how the boys played.” Said Rae.
Match Stats
Marconi Stallions 1 (Rooney ’46)
Hakoah Sydney City East 1 (De Jong ’47)
Saturday 14th April 2018
Marconi Stadium, Bossley Park
Referee: K Patterson
Assistant Referees: M. McOrist & E. Kocbek
Fourth Official: J. McFarlane
Marconi Stallions: 1. VEKIC Nenad, 3. STUDMAN Brett (38. NICOLAOU ’34), 5. BEAUCHAMP Michael, 6. OCONNELL Sean, 8. ROONEY Sean, 10. JESIC Marko, 11. CLEUR Judah (2. CHENG ’79), 14. PELEKANOS Peter, 15. POLJAK Matteo, 22. VELLA Brandon and 23. NUNES Christopher
Substitutes not used: 16. LO Martin, 21. SEKUTKOSKI Kristian and 25. PONCE FARIAS Emanuel
Yellow cards: Beauchamp ’49, Jesic ’54, Nunes ’60, Pelekanos ’66
Red cards: nil
Hakoah Sydney City East: 1. BOUZANIS Anthony, 2. SHADDOCK Connor (6. DRAPER ’29), 3. KOUTA Michael, 5. STAMATELLIS Mitchell, 8. GREEN Oliver, 10. DE JONG Andre, 14. FRANGIE Anthony, 17. JONES Harry, 19. COX Dominic (7. GREEN ’75), 20. COMBES James and 60. NOJI Takayuki (21. STEWART ’82)
Substitutes not used: 13. EZEKIEL Robert and 40. FIGUEIRA Michael
Yellow cards: De Jong ’39, Noji ’55
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings
3: Marko Jesic (MS)
2: Andre De Jong (HSCE)
1: Michael Kouta (HSCE)
-By National Premier Leagues reporter Justin Davies
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