Wanderers no match for ruthless Stallions

Marconi Stallions recorded back-to-back wins with a dominating 4-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers at Wanderers Football Park on Saturday night.
Stallions captain Marko Jesic kicked off the scoring in the eighth minute before a double dose of goals from Jordan Swibel and Kyle Cimenti then a late free-kick from Domenic Costanzo secured the three points.
For the Wanderers, it was a disappointing result after their encouraging draw last weekend. The hosts had chances through Jared Carluccio and George Antonis but were unable to trouble the Stallions who kept a clean sheet on a cool autumn evening.
Two sides coming off positive results last weekend clashed under the lights when Western Sydney Wanderers and Marconi Stallions headed onto the Wanderers Football Park turf.
Both sides had early chances in the first five minutes. George Antonis curled an effort wide of the mark for Wanderers while Jordan Swibel placed a header straight at the keeper.
It was the visitors who drew first blood. A pin-point cross from Daniel Bouman found Jesic at the far post to tap home and it was 1-0 to Marconi.
The Wanderers looked to respond instantly through Ariath Piol. The ball bounced around the area before the striker volleyed wide of the mark.
The Stallions were on the front foot for much of the opening half. Swibel shot wide again then defender Nathan Millgate couldn’t sweep the ball home in a later opportunity.
Millgate had the taste for a goal as the tall defender was once again involved in the action in the box but sprayed his effort wide of the mark.
Wanderers had a late chance to restore parity through Jarrod Carluccio. He was found well by Zachary Sapsford but curled his effort which had Stallions keeper Jack Gibson scrambling.
Coming out of the break the Wanderers almost hit an equaliser. A cross in from the right was unable to be touched home by Sapsford and was swept away by the Stallions defence.
Peter Tsekenis’ troops then doubled their advantage with a fabulous strike from Swibel. The former Wanderer caught the volley perfectly on the edge of the box and it flew into the net for 2-0.
The league then tripled in the 51st minute as a pin-point cross sent from the left by defender Roberto Speranza found Kyle Cimenti who poked the ball in for his first goal in Stallions colours and it was 3-0 to the visitors.
Marconi were having a party as Domenic Costanzo added a fourth for the Stallions just before injury time. The crafty midfielder stood over a free-kick and bent it into the net for a 4-0 lead.
The Wanderers worked hard until the final whistle and had a late chance through substitute Teng Kuol. The tall marksman couldn’t connect with the ball well enough to force Gibson into a save.
Post match a victorious Marconi Stallions coach Peter Tsekenis reflected on what was a comfortable victory for his side against a tricky opponent.
“We had a game plan to be patient in defence.
“We know the Wanderers boys can play so we remained patient.
“When the chances came, we played some good football in the front third.
“We played our football in the front third and got four goals.
“The clean sheet was because we defended well which we worked on all week.” ended Tsekenis.
While Western Sydney Wanders coach Andrew Christiansen was reflective about the result as he stated that his side would continue to trust in their processes.
“It is always disappointing to lose and I feel for the group.
“We were good in patches and we need to improve in every area.
“The boys are embracing the challenge, show up every day ready to go – we just need to trust the process and things will improve as will our results,” ended Christiansen.
Match Stats
Saturday 1 April 2023
Wanderers Football Park, Rooty Hill
Referee: Jake Rose
Assistant Referees: Scott Edeling & Alessandro Llana
Fourth Official: Jackson Mackie
Western Sydney Wanderers 0
Marconi Stallions 4 (Jesic ‘7, Swibel ‘48, Cimenti ‘51, Costanzo ‘89)
Western Sydney Wanderers: 1. Lawrence Caruso, 3. Liam Bonetig, 7. Jared Carluccio (24. Mason Fernandez ‘70), 8. Alessandro Lopane (Marcus Younis ‘56), 10. Alexander Badolato, 11. Zachary Sapsford (9. Nathaniel Blair ‘70), 12. Edmond Lupancu, 14. George Antonis, 19. Daniel Wilmering, 22. Jesse Cameron, 77. Ariath Piol (24. Teng Kuol ‘70)
Unused subs: 20. Jack Warshawsky, 26. Yiannis Frerck
Yellow cards: Bonetig ‘26
Red cards: nil
Marconi Stallions: 2. Nathan Millgate, 3. Giorgio Speranza (23. Taylor McDonald ‘90), 4. Roberto Speranza (5. Liam Mcging ‘70), 6. Domenic Costanzo (7. Christopher Hatfield ‘90), 8. Hiroaki Aoyama, 9. Jordan Swibel (21. Justin Vidic ‘85), 10. Marko Jesic (12. Samuel Gulisano ‘90), 11. Daniel Bouman, 19. Kyle Cimenti, 20. Jack Gibson, 23. Brandon Vella
Unused subs: 24. James Hilton
Yellow cards: G. Speranza ‘75
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings:
3: Domenic Costanzo (MS)
2: Jordan Swibel (MS)
1: Nathan Millgate (MS)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)