Young guns Sydney FC silence Stallions
One goal was all it took for Sydney FC to overcome the Marconi Stallions at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday night.
Having held on to a clean sheet in the first half, the dynamic duo of Jaiden Kucharski and Zac Sapsford impressed for the second week in a row, with Sapsford grabbing his second of the season for the sole goal of the match.
For Marconi, they certainly had their chance but couldn’t break through a brave Sydney defence led by Aaron Gurd who had Charles Lokolingoy in his pocket.
The game started at a frantic pace, and it was the hosts to have the first opportunity, with Jaiden Kucharski having a right-footed effort saved by Stallions keeper Nenad Vekic.
Not to be outdone in the early exchanges, Stallions hit back through captain Marko Jesic who went close after Chris Hatfield whipped the ball in from the right.
Marconi continued to be a threat from set pieces throughout the half with Jesic having another opportunity ten minutes later, followed in quick succession by a spectacular attempt from Connor Evans who nearly found the target with a backheel flick.
Fresh off his match-winning goal last weekend, Zac Sapsford had a pair of opportunities around 25 minutes, heading wide from a set piece before finding the gloves of Vekic from outside the area.
Marconi had the chance of the half just before the break, with Hatfield hitting the woodwork with a header from around the penalty spot.
Like the first half, the hosts were the team to get off to a fast start in the second stanza and this time they converted with Zac Sapsford finding the back of the net in the 47th minute after Jaiden Kucharski played him through.
At the other end, Marconi opened their half in terms of chances ten minutes in, again through Hatfield who broke forward with pace before shooting, forcing Sydney FC ‘keeper Adam Pavlesic into a good save.
The custodian was forced into making another good save from the resulting set piece, this time from Jesic.
Marconi had their tails up and continued to create chances of their own, Hatfield continuing to be an attacking threat, notching a shot on target soon after.
Sydney FC responded to that pressure well at the other end, mounting attacks of their own without a decisive final touch.
Marconi had one last opportunity with substitute Domenic Costanzo having a chance inside the box, but Pavlesic was on hand to keep him out one last time.
Speaking after his side’s victory, Sydney FC coach Jim Van Weeren was ecstatic with the big result his young chargers pulled out.
“Marconi are a heavyweight of the competition, for us to get a result tonight is a real positive.
“We would’ve liked to play better football tonight, but Jaiden and Zac are combining well at the front.
“While Aaron did a good job marking Charles and we’re really proud of him”
Marconi Stallions coach Peter Tsekenis expressed his disappointment in his side not being able to convert their chances.
“It’s definitely disappointing not getting the result, we created enough chances to win three games tonight, but we didn’t take our chances against a good, young side and we were punished.”
Match Stats
Sydney FC 1 (Sapsford 47‘)
Marconi Stallions 0
Sunday, 13th March, 2022
Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre,
Referee: Craig Fisher
Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields and Amber Morris
Fourth Official: Jackson Mackie
Sydney FC: 3. Aaron Gurd, 4. Nathan Grimaldi, 6. Corey Hollman (13. Clayton Taylor 45’), 8. Kealey Adamson, 10. Jaiden Kucharski, 11. Adrian Segecic (9. Ben Gibson 76’), 12. Jake Girdwood-Reich, 14. Zac Sapsford (16. Louis Agosti 90+4’), 17. Jayden Trenkoski (19. Joseph Calusic 66’), 18. Oscar Priestman, (19. Joseph Calusic 66’), 30. Adam Pavlesic
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Max Vartuli
Yellow Cards: Adrian Segecic 11’, Aaron Gurd 58’
Red Cards: Nil
Marconi Stallions: 1. Nenad Vekic, 2. Nathan Millgate, 3. Giorgio Speranza, 7. Christopher Hatfield (12. Stefan Nikolic 65’), 8. Connor Evans (13. Samuel Gulisano 70’), 10. Marko Jesic, 11. Charles Lokolingoy, 17. Martin Fernandez (6. Domenic Costanzo 65’), 19. Zac Cairncross, 22. Taylor McDonald, 23. Brandon Vella (14. Jarred McKinley 70’),
Substitutes Not Used: 18. Adrian Valenti, 20. Dion Shaw (GK)
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Aaron Gurd (SFC)
2 – Adam Pavlesic (SFC)
1 – Christopher Hatfield (MS)
By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Reporter Justin Smith
