The sky’s the limit for Stallions star Temelkovski
James Temelkovski has hit the ground running on his return to National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition and has promised to only get better as the season progresses in a scary proposition for all opposition in 2024 donning the Marconi Stallions kit.
The Marconi marksman has already lit up the league after just two rounds, showing a unique ability to consistently threaten opposition defences with not just every touch, but with his movement off the ball; a skillset that has seen him find the back of the net twice and gain one assist already this campaign.
Temelkovski was cleverly signed from South Australian NPL side North Eastern MetroStars, where he scored an astonishing 27 goals in 23 matches in the league, and 32 in all competitions as they finished top on the ladder.
They also had a fantastic Australia Cup run, making the quarter-finals and narrowly losing to Melbourne City thanks to an 84th minute equaliser and a 95th-minute winner from the reigning A-League Men Premiers.
However, Temelkovski could only make the bench for that game, after suffering a devastating injury which also had a significant effect on MetroStars’ finals hopes, as they were knocked out before the Championship playoff.
“It was really hard at that stage because we were in the finals series, the Australia Cup quarter-final against Melbourne City and I was trialling with Adelaide United as well,” said Temelkovski when reflecting on his injury.
“That’s where I picked up the injury because I was training a lot and it was really hard to manage my load.
“At least overall in the season we did really well.”
It’s not the first time the ace marksman has been part of the NPL Men’s NSW setup.
Temelkovski also played for the likes of Sydney United 58, Rockdale Ilinden and the Sutherland Sharks.
Marconi was quick to poach Temelkovski, who was seeking another challenge, beating two overseas clubs to the star striker’s signature.
“If it wasn’t the A-League Men’s as the next step, it was either overseas or to NPL Victoria or NSW,” said Temelkovski when remembering the thought process surrounding his next move at the time.
“I had a couple of offers to go overseas but I was happy to stay here, particularly with the National Second Division and my girlfriend living here in Sydney.
“I thought Marconi would be the right club, it’s a pretty big club in Sydney – probably the biggest – and they’re always competing.
“I thought I want to win a trophy there and that Marconi was the right club for me.”
Temelkovski took just half an hour to find the net for the first time for his new side in the league, scoring the opener in their round-one match with an efficient turn and clinical finish.
He consolidated that positive performance with a game-changing match against his former club Rockdale Illinden – one of the premier NPL Men’s NSW sides – first assisting Domenic Costanzo’s opener with a brilliant run down the right and then calmly converting a tap in to put his side ahead once more.
Speaking on his and Marconi’s form to begin the campaign – his side secured a win against Wollongong before drawing to Rockdale – he highlighted the player’s chemistry and coaches recruitment as significant reasons why they can go far in 2024.
“I’ve been really enjoying it,” he said on his introduction back to NPL Men’s NSW.
“We’ve got a brand new team and it’s really hard to gel with new places but I think the coaches have really brought in the right players so we’ve gotten along really well.
“They’re all really good footballers and we’ve sat down for late night dinners after training to try and discuss how we can benefit each other which is really good.
“We’re doing really well so far and I think we’re just going to keep getting better as the season goes on.”
One of the relationships that has been on display is his connection with Marconi’s star player last campaign in Dominic Costanzo, with the two already assisting each other for goals twice in the league in 2024.
“We were speaking before we even met each other in person about linking up and things we could do on the field if I came to Marconi,” said Temelkovski on his connection with Costanzo.
“I think good players want to play with each other and me and Dom have that chemistry.
“I see that guy nearly every day now so he’s one of my best mates in Sydney, and we try to keep that bond on and off the pitch as much as possible.
“I want him to do well and I will always look for him and I know he always looks for me.
“So far it’s good but there’s a lot more to come.”
As for the remainder of the campaign, Temelkovski has some clear aims set in place, with his goal target set to scare opposition defences throughout the remainder of the campaign.
“My long term goals are to just be the best striker I can be – whether that’s scoring goals, assisting goals or being a major threat,” he said.
“I would love to play somewhere professionally and really go the highest I can go, but right now I just want to do really well at Marconi and win something at Marconi.
“I want to aim for 30 goals this year and I did that last season – 32 in all competitions – so that’s something I want to do again.”
Temelkovski will next feature in action at Marconi Stadium against NWS Spirit, as he looks set to terrorise another set of opponents and build on an incredible start to life at Marconi Stallions.
-By Jack George
