Stallions on fire as they smash nine past league leaders Ilinden
The Marconi Stallions put on a sensational show at The Palace on Wednesday night with an incredible 9-0 victory over National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s league leaders Rockdale Ilinden FC in a round 17 rescheduled fixture.
The hosts broke ahead with goals in quick succession early in the match with James Temelkovski opening the scoring, followed by two from Domenic Costanzo. Another came from Daniel Bouman, then Franco Maya before Costanzo secured his hat-trick just before the half-time break.
Defender Anton Mlinaric opened the scoring in the second half with the seventh goal for the Stallions, then Temelkovski netted another and substitute Dylan Susovic finished off the scoring with a ninth goal in the 90th minute.
The result comes as a huge upset for Rockdale at the top of the ladder but gives Marconi valuable points and goal difference, while also keeping the race for the top spot alive and fiery.
Rockdale started the match with an opportunity in just the second minute of the match, however Marconi ‘keeper James Hilton managed to deflect.
Fans didn’t wait long for a goal in the game, with Temelkovski giving the hosts an advantage in just the 5th minute.
The attacker managed to pounce on an opportunity, beating Rockdale’s custodian Ricardo Rizzo to the ball before clinically finishing in an open net.
A free kick in the 13th minute gave Marconi their second of the night as Costanzo took the opportunity and sent the ball straight to the target.
Costanzo took it to three for the Stallions in the 15th minute.
The hosts capitalised on an error from Lachlan Griffiths to secure the ball, with Maya passing the ball on to Costanzo who slid it past Rizzo from 18 yards out.
Marconi continued their goal scoring spree with a fourth in the 22nd minute.
Bouman pounced on an opportunity to strip Rockdale’s defence of the ball before finishing his run forward and sending the ball into the target to give Marconi an impressive lead in the first quarter of the match.
Maya sent a sensational shot towards the target from afar in the 28th minute, however his effort redbounded off the crossbar and bounced just before the goalline.
An incredible fifth goal came at just the 37 minute mark for the Stallions through Maya, who took a few touches before sending the ball into the goal.
Costanzo managed a hat-trick moments before the half-time break, scoring yet again from a free kick and taking the hosts to an unbelievable six-goal lead.
The hosts capitalised on another opportunity after the restart, scoring from a corner kick.
Costanzo delivered the ball into the area and although substitute ‘keeper Ronan Mulgrow managed to get a hand to it, defender Anton Mlinaric sent it in from close range.
Rockdale’s Alec Urosevski had an opportunity in the 50th minute as he made a fast forward run, however Marconi’s Cameron Windust was able to make a critical tackle to maintain a clean sheet.
Substitute Hiroaki Aoyama created an opportunity in the 53rd minute, however his attempt slid wide of the target.
Referee Adrian Arndt awarded a penalty to Marconi in the 76th minute after Blake Ricciuto brought down Temelkovski in the area.
Temelkovski’s initial penalty attempt was rejected by Mulgrew, however he pounced on the rebound to net the eighth goal of the night for the Stallions.
Rockdale had moments of opportunity late in the game, however Marconi’s central defensive duo of Mlinaric and Windust managed some critical saves to keep the visitors at bay.
The goals kept on coming in the dying stages of the match as substitute Susovic got in behind Rockdale’s defence to take the total to nine in the 90th minute for a resounding victory.
Marconi coach Peter Tsekenis was pleased with his side’s performance, acknowledging that the scoreline was exceptional.
“Nine goals is a one-off thing that doesn’t happen very often,” he explained.
“What was pleasing is that we bounced back from last Wednesday losing to Olympic with wins against two good sides – APIA and tonight.
“We really needed to win and the boys put in a great performance and I saw things that I know we can do and nine goals is just a bonus.
“I’m happy we kept a clean sheet and we played some really good football and got some good goals.”
“We can’t get too excited about it, there’s a long way to go.”
Match Stats
Marconi Stallions FC 9 (Temelkovski 5’, 76’, Costanzo 13’, 15’, 47’ , Bouman 22’, Maya 37’, Mlinaric 47’, Susovic 90’)
Rockdale Ilinden FC 0
Wednesday 19th August, 2024
Marconi Stadium, Bossley Park
Referee: Adrian Arndt
Assistant Referees: Cameron Wright and Charbel Geha
Fourth Official: Matt Staples
Marconi Stallions FC: 24. James Hilton, 3. Cameron Windust, 4. Anton Mlinaric, 6. Domenic Costanzo (15. Aleksandar Duricic 73’), 7. Franco Maya (34. Julian Monge 60’), 8. Daniel Bouman (14. Dylan Susovic 73’), 9. James Temelkovski, 10. Marko Jesic (11. Hirokai Aoyama 46’), 16. Liam Youlley (17. Milislav Popovic 60’), 18. George Daniel, 23. Brandon Vella
Substitutes Not Used: 40. Patrick Williams
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Rockdale Ilinden FC: 3. Lachlan Griffiths (4. Roberto Speranza 45’), 5. Giorgio Speranza, 6. Isaac Danzo, 7. Alec Urosevski, 8. Dean Pelekanos, 10. Brendan Cholakian, 11. Lachlan Constable, 14. Brayden Sorge (23. Hunter Elliott 29’), 20. Ricardo Rizzo (28. Ronan Mulgrew 46’), 22. Blake Ricciuto, 66. Mathieu Cordier (9. Bai Antoniou 46’)
Substitutes Not Used: 15. Olayinka Sunmola, 77. So Kataoka
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Domenic Costanzo (MS)
2 – Liam Youlley (MS)
1 – Anton Mlinaric (MS)
