Stallions take derby spoils over United 58
Marconi Stallions have fought out a tough battle with neighbours Sydney United 58 FC to win the local derby 2-1 in Round 7 of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW at Edensor Park on Sunday.
After taking the lead in the first half through Lachlan Griffiths, the Stallions were made to work hard in the second half by a tough home side.
Sydney United equalised through Carlos De Oliveira before Marconi’s winning goal came through Matej Busek in what was another great encounter by these two local rivals.
Sydney United 58 have struggled in the opening stages of the season while Marconi have had a strong start, sitting currently unbeaten with now four wins and three draws to their name.
The first real chance of the game belonged to Marconi in the 5th minute when Tyren Burnie found himself in ample space and shot from outside the box, but the ball took a slight deflection and ended up over the goal for the game’s first corner.
Marconi were trying their luck again in the 19th minute when a lovely sweeping move that started back in their own half eventually saw Burnie on the right feed the ball for Jake Trew in the middle who, on the run, fired just over the crossbar in what was a close call.
Just after the half hour mark it was Sydney United that thought they had opened the scoring after Marconi had forced them to camp for long periods in their own half. It was Luke Zuvela who hit the back of the net after Mason Wells’s shot was saved by the goalkeeper, but the former was adjudged to be offside by the linesman much to the frustration of the home supporters.
However, it was then Marconi that scored for real in the 35th minute. A precise cross from the right by James Bayliss was met by a clinical header from Lachlan Griffiths with the ball ending up in the bottom corner of the net and it was no more than the visitors deserved.
Late in the first stanza of play a delightful shot from distance by Michael Pratezina was superbly turned away for a corner by a diving James Hilton to his left, as Sydney United seemed to find their mojo after the goal and before the halftime break.
The second half’s opening salvo favoured Marconi in the 49th minute with a long-range shot from Marko Jesic that sailed high and into the back netting behind the goal.
Sydney United then equalised shortly afterwards and it was a Marconi error that initially coughed up possession. Wells found Alessandro Lacalandra on the right who went around the out-coming goalkeeper James Hilton before firing into the post and the rebound off the woodwork favoured De Oliveira on the far side and he slotted home with precision.
Marconi hit back in the 56th minute to retake the lead when from broken play halftime substitute Matej Busek fired a rocket from well outside the box that gave goalkeeper Tristan Prendergast no chance. It was indeed a shot worth celebrating for the visitors as the game was now well and truly alive.
In the 65th minute a looping Marconi corner found Damian Tsekenis unmarked at close range but he could not steer his header on target. Sydney United replied in the 71st minute through a De Oliveira shot that was well neutralised by ‘keeper Hilton.
Wells, with a shot on target in the 78th minute for the home side, brought out the best in Hilton who was forced into a nice diving save to his left to prevent an equaliser.
Late in stoppage time a shot by Bayliss was well saved by Prendergast in what was to be the last real chance at goal of the encounter.
After the game Peter Tsekenis the coach of Marconi was very happy with the result.
“It’s always a tough contest against Sydney United and I am very happy to get the three points,” he said.
“I thought we played some really good football. It would not have been close had we taken some of those early chances when we had that early dominance.
“We made some errors that got them back in the game and then we scored a good goal to win it. It’s always tough here and ultimately it was a good performance from us today.
“We are traveling well at this stage of the season and we are solid at the back and scoring the goals that we need to, but we are still not exactly where we want to be.”
In the opposition dressing room Ante Juric, the coach of Sydney United 58, was philosophical about the result but still upbeat.
“Marconi is always tough but I felt that we were hard done by and did not get the rub of the green with some of those decisions,” he said.
“A few errors cost us too but Marconi is a strong side and we need to capitalise when we do get chances. I am happy with the boys in terms of effort and we just need a little bit of luck to turn things around.
“Last week we copped one in the 96th minute after dominating, but the effort is definitely there and when those things happen you just need to keep working hard.
“Marconi played very well today and you can see that they have been together for a while and are well oiled, whereas we are a younger side and have some new players.”
Match Stats
SYDNEY UNITED 58 FC: 1 (De Oliveira 50’)
MARCONI STALLIONS: 2 (Griffiths 35’, Busek 56’)
Sunday 22nd March 2025
Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park
Referee: Stephen Lucas
Assistant referees: Patrick Teleki, Amirhossein Hosnani
Fourth Official: Amber Morris
SYDNEY UNITED 58 FC: 1. Tristan Prendergast, 3. Bailey Rule, 4. Adrian Vlastelica, 10. Carlos De Oliveira, 11. Matthew Hatch (49. Christian Lardieri 81’), 14. Liam McGing, 16. Anthony Krilic, 17. Michael Glassock (15. Tariq Maia 87’), 23. Mason Wells, 37. Luke Zuvela (13. Alessandro Lacalandra 46’), 43. Michael Pratezina (8. Mario Shabow 65’).
Substitutes not used: 5. Anthony Tomelic, 31. Josip Orlovic.
Yellow Card: De Oliveira 62’
Red Cards: Nil
MARCONI STALLIONS: 1. James Hilton, 2. Tyren Burnie, 4. Anton Mlinaric, 5. Lachlan Griffiths, 6. Dominic Costanzo (9. Kyle Cimenti 74’, 11. Milislav Popovic 94’), 8. James Bayliss, 10. Marko Jesic, 14. Jake Trew (24. Matej Busek 46’), 17. Damian Tsekenis (16. Liam Youlley 91’), 18. George Daniel, 23, Brandon Vella.
Substitutes not used: 3. Cameron Windust, 20. Patrick Williams.
Yellow Card: Costanzo 69’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – James Bayliss (MS)
2 – Carlos De Oliveira (SU)
1 – George Daniel (MS)
By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Joe Russo
