Stallions burst Spirit’s bubble to take top spot
Marconi Stallions inflicted the NWS Spirit FC’s first loss of the 2025 season and took over as National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW league leaders with a 2-1 victory at Christie Park on Saturday.
All three goals came in quick fashion in the first half as Marconi took a two goal lead through two well executed set pieces before Yu Okubo brought Spirit back into it minutes later.
Having both featured in Australia Cup round 4 Preliminary round matches midweek, it took while for both side to play themselves into this in what was a physical start to the game.
The hosts had the game’s first big chance as Jake Chidiac was played through superbly by Okubo before his shot inside the box was well saved by James Hilton after the quarter hour mark.
Marconi soon responded with a set piece move executed perfectly, Domenic Costanzo with plenty of time on the edge of the area applying a lovely finish into the bottom left corner through a sea of legs and it was the 2024 Champions that took the lead.
The Stallions doubled their lead following another corner, this time taken from the left finding Lachlan Griffiths to head home at the near post. Costanzo the provider this time with a pin point delivery, another reason why he is one of the most feared dead ball specialists in the competition.
Needing a response, Spirit hit back with a goal in the 25th minute. Yu Okubo applying a superb finish on the half volley from just outside the area, Zayne Ahluwalia finding him with a ball from the right wing.
Lachlan Griffiths had a chance to restore the two-goal advantage two minutes later but his shot across the target fell wide by inches.
The Stallions kicked off the second half the stronger of the two as Marko Jesic showed his class in the 55th minute with a neat pass to Jake Trew who was denied by a one-on-one save by Christopher Marques before the follow up from an angle was blocked by a retreating Spirit defence.
The hosts were restricted to half chances at the other end as they looked for answers in the attacking third that was until the 69th minute when Spirit finally found a way through. Marconi keeper James Hilton making himself big to deny an overlapping Jordan Perez before a Takumi Ofuka header follow up was saved in a more comfortable fashion.
The best chance of the final ten minutes came to Okubo who couldn’t put his volley on target at the back post, Hilton not challenged in the Stallions net.
Post game a jubilant Marconi Stallions coach Peter Tsekenis was pleased with his sides performance taking home the three points and pole position on the NPL Men’s NSW ladder.
“It was a classic top of the table clash between two sides where fortunately this time we came out on top.
“At 2-0 it was always going to be a case of making sure we defend well against a side who was going to come at us.”
On his side’s use of set pieces he continued, “A lot of big game goals come from set pieces and today that was the case with our two goals.”
Match Stats
NWS Spirit 1 (Okubo 25’)
Marconi Stallions 2 (Costanzo 20’ Griffiths 22’)
Saturday 12th April, 2025
Christie Park, Macquarie Park
Referee: Brodie Merchant
Assistant Referees: Matt Staples & Lindsay Edmonds
Fourth Official: Joshua Kermond
NWS Spirit: 1. Christopher Marques, 4. Bradie Smith, 5. Jordan Perez, 6. Corey Kavanagh , 7. Frankie Ljucovic, 9. Yu Okubo, 13. Simon Nicholas (3. Kyah Williams 73’), 15. Jamie Percevski, 17. Jacob Chidiac (14. Marco Arambasic 69’), 19. Zayne Ahluwalia (8. Grant Cornwell 86’) , 22. Takumi Ofuka
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Austin Oates, 21. Harry Keys, 51. Christhopher Chen.
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Marconi Stallions: 1. James Hilton, 2. Tyren Burnie, 4. Anton Mlinaric (3. Cameron Windust 82’), 5. Lachlan Griffiths, 6. Domenic Costanzo, 8. James Bayliss, 10. Marko Jesic, 14. Jake Trew, 18. George Daniel, 23. Brandon Vella, 24. Matej Busek.
Substitutes Not Used: 11. Milislav Popovic, 12. Julian Monge, 15. Jawad Rezai, 20. Patrick Williams, 22. Aleksander Gvozdenovic.
Yellow Cards: Bayliss 63’, Burnie 82’, Costanzo 88’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3- Domenic Costanzo (MS)
2- Lachlan Griffiths (MS)
1- James Hilton (MS)
By Justin Smith
