Fortune favours Stallions in late escape
The Marconi Stallions came out on top of their battle with the Western Sydney Wanderers, securing a 1-0 victory at Marconi Stadium on Saturday night.
After 87 minutes of end-to-end opportunities, the Stallions finally broke ahead in the final minutes of the match through an own goal from Wanderers defender Ricky Fransen following a Domenic Costanzo corner.
The one goal was all the hosts needed to secure a valuable three points at home in Round 8 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.
Wanderers threatened early in the match as Awan Lual tried to let off a shot but tumbled in the box earning a corner in the 10th minute.
Costanzo sent a ball to Marko Jesic in the 15th minute, but the captain’s header went wide.
Costanzo was back in action again the next minute, setting up an opportunity for Jake Trew who fired above the target.
Tyron Burnie’s fast paced run gave the hosts another opportunity in the 20th minute, but Damian Tsekenis couldn’t finish from Burnie’s cross.
Kaan Nizam sent a header towards the target in the 32nd minute, but it was easily collected by Marconi custodian James Hilton.
Tsekenis broke forward in the 32nd minute but his shot skewed right of the goal.
The hosts looked poised to secure the opening goal in the 37th minute as Costanzo played a ball to George Daniel in prime position, however his effort glided past the target.
The Stallions tried to create something in the 55th minute, with Brandon Vella attempting a shot at the edge of the 18-yard box, which was deflected by Saxon Hillyer.
Burnie shot from the rebound, but it flew just wide of the target.
Costanzo sent a low ball to the target in the 58th minute, but Wanderers ‘keeper Tristan Vidackovic collected.
There was plenty of end-to-end action but neither side could manage to break ahead as the game progressed.
A corner kick from James Bayliss met the head of Lachlan Griffiths in the 76th minute but he couldn’t direct it to the target.
Costanzo stepped up for a free kick in the 80th minute, sending it directly towards the target and to the dismay of the Stallions faithful’s, Vidackovic.
Costanzo sent a terrific ball to Jesic in the 84th minute, but Wanderers’ skipper Nathan Barrie managed an impressive defensive effort to keep the hosts from capitalising on the opportunity.
The visitors had an opportunity in the 86th minute as Julian Cop played a solid ball to Noah Peacock, however Griffiths picked his pocket to keep Peacock from letting off a shot.
Costanzo lined up for a corner in the 87th minute sending his effort directly to the target, taking a deflection from Ricky Fransen on the way, to open the scoring with just minutes remaining in the match.
Wanderers substitute Edmun Haddad tried his luck at a shot from the edge of the 18-yard box but couldn’t reach the target.
Match Stats
Marconi Stallions FC 1 (Fransen own goal 87’)
Western Sydney Wanderers FC 0
Saturday 29 March, 2025
Marconi Stadium, Bossley Park
Referee: Kelly Jones
Assistant Referees: Isaac Riggs & Patrick Teleki
Fourth Official: Daniel Cornofsky
Marconi Stallions FC: 1. James Hilton, 2. Tyren Burnie, 4. Anton Mlinaric, 5. Lachlan Griffiths, 6. Dom Costanzo, 8. James Bayliss, 10. Marko Jesic, 14. Jake Trew (24. Matej Busek 66’), 17. Damian Tsekenis (11. Milislav Popovic 77’), 18. George Daniel, 23. Brandon Vella (16. Liam Youlley 66’)
Substitutes Not Used: 3. Cameron Windust, 12. Julian Monge, 20. Patrick Williams,
Yellow Cards: Daniel 4’, Costanzo 90’
Red Cards: Nil
Western Sydney Wanderers FC: 1. Tristan Vidackovic, 2. Nathan Barrie, 4. Ricky Fransen, 5. Lachlan Tilt, 8. Nicholas Badolato (26. Antony Barbic), 9. Alaat Abdul-Rahman (38. Noah Peacock 78’), 11. Kaan Nizam (7. Dallo Sandy 63’), 15. Meliwethu Nkomo, 18. Awan Lual (29. Edmun Haddad 70’), 27. Julian Cop, 32. Saxon Hillyer (10. Luka Knezevic 63’)
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Lucas Sinnott
Yellow Cards: Lual 40’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Domenic Costanzo (MS)
2 – Tyren Burnie (MS)
1 – Marko Jesic (MS)
-By Madeline Riley
