Late Cresnar strike breaks Stallions hearts
The reigning National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW Champions Marconi Stallions shared the points with Blacktown City with a 1-1 draw in the opening round of thecompetition on Saturday night.
The red card to Jarred McKinley in the 80th minute gave confidence to the Stallions fans who had watched their side lead the game for the majority of the match after a third minute goal from captain Marko Jesic, however a late goal from Jakob Cresnar put a dampener on a dreary night for the Marconi faithful.
The match started off with quick action as Marconi captain Jesic netting the opener only three minutes in.
Franco Maya’s run down the right flank gave Jesic the opportunity, and the seasoned National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s veteran calmly sent his shot into the goal.
Blacktown applied pressure at the 20 minute mark to create some movement in the front third, however the visitors weren’t able to get a shot off, with a foul from Marconi’s Lachlan Griffiths breaking up the play.
A free kick followed but Blacktown couldn’t make anything of the chance.
Maya tried to create an opportunity in the 23rd minute but his fast footwork was well defended by the visitors.
Tyren Burnie collected the rebound, but his effort skewed wide of the goal.
Marconi’s George Daniel took a shot at goal in the 31st minute but his effort was deflected by Blacktown.
The Stallions entered the sheds ahead at the half-time break, with a one-goal advantage over Blacktown City.
Maya looked poised for a goal after the restart, sending a shot towards the target in the 52nd minute, however Blacktown’s custodian Cameron Henderson was on hand to collect.
Jake Trew looked for a goal for the hosts in the 56th minute however his cross flew above the intended target of Maya.
Travis Major’s run down the right flank looked dangerous, however Anton Mlinaric cleared his attempt.
James Bayliss took a shot from the edge of the box in the 63rd minute but couldn’t extend the lead for the Stallions, sending his effort wide of the goal.
Maya had the perfect opportunity to score a second for the hosts in the 64th minute, but a mistaken touch saw his chance muffled by Henderson.
Blacktown made a forward run in the 74th minute saw the visitors try to get in the game, but their effort didn’t amount to anything.
Marconi ‘keeper James Hilton sent an impressive ball to Jake Trew in the 74th minute, setting up a goal-scoring opportunity for the Stallions.
Trew passed across the goal face to Tsekenis but he couldn’t make contact.
The visitors moved forward within pace again in the 76th minute but again their effort didn’t get the desired result.
Marconi blazed forward in the 80th minute as they looked for a second, but Jarred McKinley took down substitute Matej Busek, earning himself an early exit from the field with a red card.
Busek sent an impressive effort firing towards the goal in the 84th minute, however his shot only just missed the mark.
A free kick in the dying stages of the match gave the visitors a lifeline that they turned into an equaliser.
Substitute Jacob Mantini sent the free kick into the area and it found its way to the feet of Nicholas O’Brien.
Nicholas O’Brien sent the ball into the area and Cresnar sent it over the head of Hilton into the netting to finish the game 1-1.
Match Stats
Marconi Stallions 1 (Marko Jesic 3’)
Blacktown City FC 1 (Jakob Cresnar 95’)
Saturday 8 February, 2025
Marconi Stadium, Bossley Park
Referee: Sam Kelly
Assistant Referees: Cameron Wright & Ethan Zvargulis
Fourth Official: Travis Griffith
Marconi Stallions: 1. James Hilton, 2. Tyren Burnie, 4. Anton Mlinaric (22. Aleksandar Gvozdenovic 90’), 5. Lachlan Griffiths (12. Julian Monge 81’), 7. Franco Maya, 8. James Bayliss, 10. Marko Jesic, 14. Jake Trew (24. Matej Busek 78’), 17. Damian Tskenis (9. Kyle Cimenti 78’), 18. George Daniel, 23. Brandon Vella
Substitutes Not Used: 19. Luke Raso, 20. Patrick Williams
Yellow Cards: Griffiths 21’, Mlinaric 33’, Vella 95’
Red Cards: Nil
Blacktown City FC: 1. Camden Henderson, 3. Jarred McKinley, 5. Grant Lynch, 6. Adam Berry (19. Sebastian Hayward 81’), 7. Travis Major, 8. Jak O’Brien, 9. Keanu Moore (22. Jacob Mantini 75’), 10. Maksim Jez (14. Mitchell Mallia 62’), 16. Benjamin Berry (25. Dimo Dimo 75’), 18. Nicholas O’Brien, 23. Jakob Cresnar
Substitutes Not Used: 4. Lachlan Campbell, 20. Zac Bowling
Yellow Cards: Moore 33’, Cresnar 67’, Jak O’Brien 96’
Red Cards: McKinley 80’
Player Ratings
3 – Tyren Burnie (MS)
2 – Marko Jesic (MS)
1 – Grant Lynch (BC)
-By Madeline Riley
