Stallions come up trumps at Mt Druitt
Marconi Stallions opened its win account on Saturday afternoon after defeating the Mt Druitt Town Rangers 2-0 at Popondetta Park.
The Stallions galloped forward from the opening whistle as they flexed their muscles showcasing their intent on winning everything this season.
Jake Trew found space on the left and drew an early save from Rangers keeper Dylan Niski.
Damien Tsekenis snatched the ball and fed it towards Trew who took a first time effort which Niski tipped over.
The visitors kept looking to turn their pressure into a goal. Tsekenis showed some dazzling feet to get into the area then shot straight at Niski.
The deadlock was broken by the visitors as Marconi Stallions made it 1-0 in the 10th minute. Again, Tsekenis was central to the action, he put in a low cross which Rangers defender Joseph White turned into his own net.
The Rangers had a chance to restore order from the spot. Olayinka Sunmola was fouled inside in the box after a mazy run. The ever reliable Joey Gibbs stepped up but Stallions keeper James Hilton plunged to his right and saved expertly keeping his side in the lead.
The hosts tried again from another set piece. Pedrinho whipped in a free-kick which found Zac Sfiligoi who craned his header towards the top corner before Hilton turned it over.
From the resulting corner, Sfiligoi had another chance from close range then Caleb Jackson-Brown was also denied.
Marconi Stallions looked to finish the half on a high. Tsekenis went close before it fell to Tyren Burnie who clipped the bar.
The Stallions doubled their delight in the first half stoppage time.
It was that man Tsekenis who made it 2-0 after he curled the ball into the bottom corner, a quality finish for a player that was out of football for over two seasons, a goal that the former Mariner would cherish.
Both teams took their time to get back into the groove in the second half with a few half chances in the opening stages.
Rangers had a series of corners as they tried to claw their way back into the contest, but they were swept away by the visitors.
There was an almost an instant impact for Stallions substitute Matej Busek. He was played through by Brandon Vella but couldn’t find a way past Niski.
Rangers kept pushing forward. Some quick combination passes found Thomas Lopez on the right of the box and he was denied by Hilton.
Jared Macerola went closest for the hosts. He drove into some space and whacked his effort off the right post.
The Stallions almost put the game to bed through another substitute Kyle Cimenti. He was threaded through by Tsekenis but couldn’t tap home.
Pedrinho was the workhorse in the middle for the Rangers and he found space outside the box and curled an effort right at Hilton.
Post match, Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC coach Andrew Montgomery reflected on a game which was closer than the score line suggested.
“I thought our boys were expectational and were the better side, creating more chances across the contest.
“We made two mistakes and got punished for them.
“Penalties can be missed, if we score that it could change the game but the boys gave their all.” said Montgomery.
Marconi Stallions coach Peter Tsekenis reflected on his side’s first win of the 2025 campaign away from home.
“I thought we should’ve won the game by a few more but we kept them in it.
“You get nervous when you keep them in the game, but I think we deserved the win.
“I’m happy where we are at and there are some boys to come into the side still.” said Tsekenis.
Match Stats
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 0
Marconi Stallions FC 2 (Own Goal ’10 Tsekenis ‘45+1)
Saturday 15 February 2025
Popondetta Park
Referee: Eric Saba
Assistant Referees: Alessandro Llana & Luke Chapman
Fourth Official: James Makris
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC: 1. Dylan Niski, 3. Joseph White, 4. Zac Sfiligoi, 6. Jared Macerola (99. Rocco Fragale ’81), 9. Joseph Gibbs, 10. Joao Pedro Oliveira Santos, 14. Olayinka Sunmola (22. Jude Rankin ’60), 15. Caleb Jackson-Brown, 17. Cooper Coskerie (2. Alexander Trajanoski ’45), 20. Thomas Lopez (7. Garang Awac ’76), 21. William Rankin
Unused subs: 16. Stefan Giglio, 18. Lachlan Vasiliou
Yellow cards: Oliveira Santos ‘40
Red cards: nil
Marconi Stallions FC: 1. James Hilton, 2. Tyren Burnie, 4. Anton Mlinaric, 5. Lachlan Griffiths, 7. Franco Maya, 8. James Bayliss, 10. Marko Jesic (24. Matej Busek ’67), 14. Jake Trew (9. Kyle Cimenti ’67), 17. Damien Tsekenis, 18. George Daniel, 23. Brandon Vella
Unused subs: 12. Julian Monge, 19. Luke Raso, 20. Patrick Williams, 22. Aleksandar Gvozdenovic
Yellow cards: Vella ’36 Daniel ‘75
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings:
3: Damien Tsekenis (MS)
2: Franco Maya (MS)
1: James Hilton (MS)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
