Stallions edge out Rangers to remain in top spot

The Marconi Stallions secured three points with a 2-1 victory over the Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Marconi Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Goals to Brandon Vella and Damian Tsekenis in the first half had the Stallions confidently in control, but a successfully converted penalty to Mt Druitt’s Joey Gibbs brought the visitors back into the match in the 72nd minute.

Mt Druitt tried their best to claw their way further back into the match in the final stages but they weren’t able to match a challenging Marconi opposition.

Jared Macerola sent a shot towards the target for the visitors in the 15th minute, but the strike was sent straight at Marconi ‘keeper James Hilton.

Fans didn’t have to wait long for the first goal of the match, with Marconi stalwart Vella sending the ball to the back of the net in the 17th minute.

Vella started the play and sent the ball to Marko Jesic on the right flank.

Jesic hit a cross into the area into Vella who tapped in from close range to get the first goal on the scoreboard.

The hosts came close to another in the 25th minute as Tyren Burnie sent the ball into the area, but Jesic’s touch guided the ball away from the target.

The Stallions took their lead to two in the 35th minute through Tsekenis.

Domenic Costanzo sent a terrific ball curling into the area from range and Tsekenis managed an impressive outstretched tap over the line.

The hosts came close to a third in the 42nd minute as a Franco Maya corner nearly made its way into the goal but it wasn’t close enough with the Stallions heading to the sheds with a two-goal advantage.

Marconi looked to make an impact early in the second stanza as Tsekenis sent two shots towards the target from close range, both of which were cleared by Shayden Sampow off the line in the 48th minute.

Tyren Burnie tried his luck from the rebound but his effort was also blocked by Mt Druitt.

George Daniel’s run down the left flank gave the Stallions another chance in the 56th minute.

Daniel crossed the ball into Tsekenis but he wasn’t able to guide his header to the target.

Mt Druitt substitute Garang Awac tried to apply pressure when he made his way onto the field in the 65th minute but his effort fizzled out before he could let off a shot.

Jude Rankin sent a ball into the area for Awac in the 69th minute, but Awac couldn’t manage a shot.

Marconi made a quick counter attack as Julian Monge played forward to Tsekenis, but he couldn’t get past Mt Druitt’s defence to let off a dangerous shot.

Vella’s challenge inside the area in the 71st minute gave Mt Druitt the perfect opportunity to get on the scoreboard as the referee called a penalty.

Gibbs stepped up to the spot and confidently sent the ball over the line, under a diving Hilton, to bring the visitors’ deficit to one.

Maya had the perfect opportunity to secure a third goal for the Stallions in the 80th minute with a free kick on the edge of the box, but his effort flew well above the crossbar.

Hilton managed a crucial save in the 83rd minute to keep hold of the lead as Mt Druitt’s Thomas Lopez sent a header towards the target.

Mt Druitt continued to apply pressure in the dying moments of the match but couldn’t claw their way back into the match enough to salvage a point, with the Stallions ahead 2-1 at the final whistle.

Match Stats

Marconi Stallions FC 2 (Vella 17’, Tsekenis 35’)

Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 1 (Gibbs 72’)

Saturday June 1st, 2025

Marconi Stadium, Bossley Park

Referee: Declan Woods

Assistant Referees: Joshua Eiser & Patrick Teleki

Fourth Official: Hayden Langholz

Marconi Stallions: 1. James Hilton, 2. Tyren Burnie, 5. Lachlan Griffiths (12. Julian Monge 54’), 6. Domenic Costanzo (14. Jake Trew 63’), 7. Franco Maya (9. Kyle Cimenti 87’), 8. James Bayliss, 10. Marko Jesic (24. Matej Busek 63’), 16. Liam Youlley, 17. Damian Tsekenis, 18. George Daniel, 23. Brandon Vella

Substitutes Not Used: 11. Milislav Popovic, 20. Patrick Williams

Yellow Cards: Bayliss 19’

Red Cards: Nil

Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC: 1. Dylan Niski, 3. Joseph White (2. Alexander Trajanoski 46’), 4. Zac Sfiligoi (22. Jude Rankin 46’), 5. Theph Theph, 6. Jared Macerola (18. Lachlan Vasiliou 87’), 9. Joseph Gibbs, 11. John Azar (7. Garang Awac 64’), 15. Caleb Jackson-Brown, 20. Thomas Lopez, 21. William Rankin, 27. Shayden Sampow

Substitutes Not Used: 16. Stefan Giglio, 19. Jackson Goggins-Barrett

Yellow Cards: Gibbs 37’, Jackson-Brown 38’, Macerola 68’, Theph 92’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings 

3 – James Bayliss (MS)

2 – Damian Tsekenis (MS)

1 – Liam Youlley (MS)