Ten-man Stallions carve out gutsy victory over Sharks
A ten-man Marconi Stallions triumphed over Sutherland Sharks in Round 12 of the National Premier Leagues Men’s competition, with a 2-1 victory at Marconi Stadium on Saturday night.
Going down to ten men following the sending off of Nathan Millgate, Marconi breathed a sigh of relief when ‘keeper Nenad Vekic saved a penalty just before the half-time break, but Sutherland were quick to pounce when the game recommenced, taking the lead in the 47th minute through James Baldacchino
The Stallions managed to equalise through Domenic Costanzo in the 49th minute and then extended their lead through captain Marko Jesic in the 57th.
The hosts dug in and managed to hold out Sutherland to gain a valuable three points before they face up with the league leaders, Sydney FC, next week.
Both sides were hungry in the opening stages of the games, creating chances but lacking the clinical finish they needed to open the scoring.
Sutherland looked dangerous in the 21st minute as James Andrew ran forward in a counter-attack effort and as Vekic ran outside the 18-yard box, defender Millgate made a tackle to shut the Sharks’ opportunity down.
The tackle saw Millgate earn a yellow and Sutherland secure a free kick in a dangerous position.
Chris Lindsay took the free kick and sent it low towards goal, but Vekic was able to keep the visitors at bay.
The Sharks came close again in the 27th minute as they drew out Vekic and got the ball into the area but a deflection from Marconi saw Sutherland’s strike come off the bar as the ‘keeper moved back into position.
Lokolingoy came close in the 38th as Millgate sent a ball up the field for the attacker, but his effort went wide of the target.
The home side went down to ten men in the 46th minute as Millgate earnt his second yellow and began his march to the dressing sheds after Sutherland’s Mitchell Smith went down in the area.
Referee Christian Verdicchio pointed to the spot, giving Sutherland an opportunity to take the lead before the break.
Jason Madonis stepped up to the spot but Vekic was able to read his shot well and parried it out to deny the visitors a penalty conversion, leaving both teams to head to the sheds for the half-time break without a goal.
When they returned to the field, Sutherland were eager to capitalise on their extra player and managed to do so in the 47th minute.
Lindsay whipped in a free kick and it eventually fell to Baldacchino, who fired it towards the target.
Marconi’s Connor Evans attempted to deflect it off the line, but his positioning just inside the goal was enough for the linesman to indicate a goal.
Marconi didn’t wait long to retaliate, scoring in the 49th minute and getting themselves promptly back in the game.
Giorgio Speranza sent a ball into Lokolingoy in the area, who chipped a ball to Costanzo at the far post.
Costanzo read the ball well and headed past the reach of Anthony Bouzanis from short range to equalise.
Sam Gulisano came close for Marconi in the 56th minute, sending a strike on target, but Bouzanis was able to jump on the ball to deny.
The home side came back for more in the 57th minute, this time from the captain.
Costanzo received the ball at the edge of the 18-yard box and played it to Jesic who was all class with his finish, sending a clean shot past Bouzanis to take the lead.
Despite the disadvantage of being a player down, Marconi continued to create chances against the visitors while they fought to keep them out of the game.
Sutherland were desperately trying to find themselves an equaliser and get something from the match but a resolute Marconi held on.
While both teams had their chances in the final stages of the match, they were unable to make any further impact on the game with Marconi securing all three points in the battle.
Marconi coach Peter Tsekenis was pleased with his side’s hunger to get the win after losing a man.
“We dominated a lot of the game the first half and when you don’t take your chances and you don’t score goals you leave yourself open to things like that,” he said of the red card.
“I knew at half time when I went into the change room, looking in the eyes of the players, I had no doubt looking at their body language and their hunger that they could come out and win that game.
“We probably could have scored another one to make it three, but we’ll take that, it’s a good confidence booster.”
Sutherland co-coach Steve Gordon said he was disappointed his side couldn’t get anything from the match.
“It was disappointing today,” he said.
“We were a few numbers down this week, but the younger boys stepped up.
“It was always a tough game against Marconi they’re a good side, very physical.
“We did well to take the lead, we just didn’t take advantage of the extra player and probably had a couple of lazy moments defensively
“We lacked a bit in that final third and at the end of the day if you don’t put the ball in the back of the net you don’t win games so it’s disappointing compared to the last few weeks where we’ve really worked hard, but we’ve got to move forward and get ready for United next week.”
Match Stats
Marconi Stallions FC 2 (Costanzo 49’, Jesic 57’)
Sutherland Sharks FC 1 (Baldacchino 47’)
Saturday, 21st May, 2022
Marconi Stadium, Bossley Park
Referee: Christian Verdicchio
Assistant Referees: Matt Staples and Patrick Teleki
Fourth Official: Melik Ibrahim
Marconi Stallions: 1. Nenad Vekic, 2. Nathan Millgate, 3. Giorgio Speranza, 4. Roberto Speranza, 6. Domenic Costanzo (23. Brandon Vella 59’), 8. Connor Evans, 9. Thomas James (7. Chris Hatfield 84’), 10. Marko Jesic, 11. Charles Lokolingoy (17. Martin Fernandez 90’), 13. Samuel Gulisano, 22. Taylor McDonald
Substitutes Not Used: 14. Jarred McKinley, 18. Adrian Valenti, 20. Dion Shaw,
Yellow Cards: Roberto Speranza 17’, Nathan Millgate 21’, 46’
Red Cards: Nathan Millgate 46’
Sutherland Sharks FC: 1. Anthony Bouzanis, 2. James Baldacchino, 8. Jason Madonis, 9. Jeremy Cox, 14. Chris Lindsay, 17. James Andrew, 18. Mitchell Smith (12. Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu 63’), 21. Michael Neill, 22. Nick Sullivan, 23. Mark Rodic, 25. Luke Sauer (6. Patrick O’Shea 63’)
Substitutes Not Used: 10. Lachlan Everett, , 26. Jacob Cremen-Cowan, 27. Angelo Apokis, 80. Nelson Lam
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
*Player Ratings have now been hidden
