Stallions defeat Sky Blues in early Sunday kick-off
The Marconi Stallions secured a 1-0 victory over Sydney FC on a hot Sunday morning at the Ilinden Sports Centre.
One goal was the difference between the two sides, with Stallions captain Marko Jesic netting the only goal of the match in the 56th minute to secure three points for his side in Round 6 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.
Marconi’s Jake Trew had a chance in the 6th minute with a forward run that rebounded off the bar and was cleared by Sydney ‘keeper Gus Hoefsloot.
Marconi looked poised for another in the 12th minute as Tyren Burnie sent a header towards the goal but Hoefsloot collected.
Sydney FC had an opportunity in the 21st minute as Marin France sent a shot towards the target but it skewed to the right of the goal.
Damian Tsekenis had an opportunity for the visitors in the 31st minute as he made a fast-paced forward run but Hoefsloot managed a hand to it and it bounced off the crossbar to deny a goal.
Marconi came close again in the 47th minute as Burnie sent a ball into the area for Tsekenis to nod home, but Hoefsloot managed another crucial save.
The perseverance paid off for the Stallions in the 56th minute.
A fast-paced run from Trew started the play as he made his way into the area from the half-way mark.
He cut across to Jesic in a central position who tapped the ball in with an outstretched leg.
Mlinaric knocked the ball over the line minutes later in the 60th minute but the referee called a foul on Hoefsloot.
Tsekenis sent a shot from range blazing towards the target in the 66th minute but Hosefloot managed an impressive save to deny the visitors another goal.
Sydney FC came close when Taye Hedley made a run in the 77th minute before passing off to Mathias Macallister, whose effort was tapped out of contention by James Hilton.
Defender Joseph Calusic had a chance in the 92nd minute but his effort couldn’t break through the wind to reach the target.
The young Sky Blues continued to try and create something until the final whistle but weren’t able to get anything on the scoreboard, leaving the game to wrap up 1
Match Stats
Sydney FC 0
Marconi Stallions FC 1 (Jesic 56’)
Sunday March 16th 2025
Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale
Referee: Jake Rose
Assistant Referees: Patrick Teleki & Ethan Zvargulis
Fourth Official: Oliver Leanfore
Sydney FC: 4. Joseph Calusic, 6. Tyler Williams, 9. Mathias Macallister, 10. Taye Hedley, 18. Alen Harbas, 21. Zachary De Jesus, 27. Lachlan Middleton (23. Junior Conde 88’), 30. Gus Hoefsloot, 33. Marin France (29. Joe Lacey 72’), 39. Dylan Rose (15. Samuel Lancaster 82’), 47. Corey Cronin
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Jacob Cremen-Cowan, 14. Jared Middleton, 16. Zac Fowler
Yellow Cards: Rose 71’
Red Cards: Nil
Marconi Stallions FC: 1. James Hilton, 2. Tyren Burnie, 4. Anton Mlinaric, 5. Lachlan Griffiths, 6. Domenic Costanzo (24. Matej Busek 84’), 8. James Bayliss, 10. Marco Jesic, 14. Jake Trew, 17. Damian Tsekenis, 18. George Daniel, 23. Brandon Vella.
Substitutes Not Used: 3. Cameron Windust, 9. Kyle Cimenti, 11. Milislav Popovic, 20. Patrick Williams
Yellow Cards: Jesic 20’, Mlinaric 42’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Jesic (MS)
2 – Hoefsloot (SFC)
1 – Burnie (MS)
-By Madeline Riley
