Stallions add to Rangers’ relegation woes
Mt Druitt Town Rangers were dealt a blow in their race to stay in NSW’s top flight competition following a 2-1 loss to the Marconi Stallions at Popondetta Park on Sunday.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers were unable to build on the draw which they earned midweek against the Sutherland Sharks as they now sit four points adrift of fourteenth placed Western Sydney Wanderers and as it stands will face the runners up in the League One Men’s competition across a two-game series in order of staying in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.
The hosts had their chances in the game with an in-form Anthony Frangie getting a late consolation to make it 2-1.
The Stallions were comfortable in their work against a bogey opponent. Christopher Hatfield fired home the opener in the 15th minute before an own goal made it 2-0 just before half-time. The only blight on the performance was a red card to Hatfield in the 72nd minute.
The Rangers almost had the perfect start. Frangie, a former Stallion, thrashed an effort against the crossbar from a corner in the fourth minute.
Marconi Stallions settled into their rhythm and found the opener. Aleksander Duricic played a lovely combination with Hatfield for the latter to fire home for 1-0 in the 15th minute.
The hosts went close again from a set piece. Solomon-John Monahan-Vaiika rose highest from a corner and craned his effort over the bar.
Domenic Costanzo was a livewire on the left for the Marconi Stallions. He had a delightful turn before he sent an effort over the bar.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers were fighting for an equaliser and surged forward. Daniel Dias this time with the volley which went wide of the mark.
The Stallions doubled their delight in the 37th minute. It was a testing cross from Costanzo again which saw Marko Jesic head on target which took a wicked deflection off one of the Rangers players to make it 2-0.
The Stallions looked to finish the half on a high with a third goal. Hatfield found some space and curled an effort wide of the mark.
Hatfield fizzed a volley wide of the goal alongside some other half chances right from the whistle as the second half started in the right fashion for Peter Tsekenis’ troops.
The Stallions kept pressing for another goal. Jordan Swibel looked to find the bottom corner before the clearance from Monahan-Vaiika swept it away.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers were handed a lifeline in the 72nd minute when Hatfield was shown a straight red for a tackle on Nikola Djordjevic.
The Rangers pushed players forward trying to find a goal but they were thwarted by a rock solid Stallions defence.
Two substitutes combined for a late opportunity for the Stallions. Matthew Hatch found Justin Vidic on the left side of the box but he shot sailed straight at Niski.
Marconi Stallions looked more likely to add another goal. Hiroaki Aoyama strode into the box and thudded a shot against the left post and away.
The Rangers found a late consolation through Frangie. It was a superb cutback from substitute Olayinka Sunmola which saw him drill home for 2-1.
Post match Mt Druitt Town Rangers coach Stewart Montgomery reflected on the loss and the challenge ahead.
“We started well, boys gave us the energy and desire we were looking for.
“It is the tale of the season that we don’t convert then get hit twice in transition.
“The second half was a grind but we did get a goal back and a draw might’ve been fair.
“Our focus is on several areas which means we manage loading potential bookings for players in the next few weeks.” said Montgomery.
While for Marconi Stallions assistant coach Peter Papoythis was happy to take home maximum points.
“It is always tough to come here, the pitch has had a lot of traffic and it was a tough surface for both teams to play on.
“We were cruising at 2-0 and then the send off made it messy but we got out of there with the win despite some key players missing.” said Papoythis.
Match Stats
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 1 (Frangie ‘90+3)
Marconi Stallions 2 (Hatfield ‘15, Own Goal ’37)
Sunday 13 August 2023
Popondetta Park, Emerton
Referee: Matt Staples
Assistant Referees: Alessandro Llana & James Makris
Fourth Official: Jackson Mackie
Mt Druitt Town Rangers: 1. Dylan Niski, 2. Solomon-John Monahan-Vaiika (6. Jared Macerola ‘63), 3. Nikola Djordjevic, 5. Jacob Esposito (17. Cooper Coskerie ‘72), 8. Henry Davies, 10. Kotaro Katsuta (9. Shunta Nakamura ‘72), 11. Jackson Bandiera, 14. Anthony Frangie, 21. Tarek Elrich, 22. Rhett Desilva (12. Will Harvey ‘45), 23. Daniel Dias (27. Olayinka Sunmola ‘45)
Unused subs: 20. Omid Ramezani
Yellow cards: Elrich ‘48
Red cards: nil
Marconi Stallions: 2. Nathan Millgate, 3. Giorgio Speranza, 6. Domenic Costanzo (21. Justin Vidic ‘84), 7. Christopher Hatfield, 8. Hiroaki Aoyama, 9. Jordan Swibel (39. Matthew Hatch ‘84), 10. Marko Jesic (12. Samuel Gulisano ‘88), 11. Daniel Bouman, 13. Aleksander Duricic, 23. Brandon Vella, 24. James Hilton
Unused subs: 17. Martin Fernandez, 20. Marcus Petrovski, 22. Taylor McDonald
Yellow cards: Aoyama ‘66
Red cards: Hatfield ‘72
Player Ratings:
3: Nathan Millgate (MS)
2: Domenic Costanzo (MS)
1: Anthony Frangie (MDTR)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
