Spirit smash Stallions to take top spot
It will go down as one of the heaviest defeats the ‘Palace’ has ever seen, the Marconi Stallions were left shell-shocked as they were completely dismantled by the new NPL Men’s NSW front runners and Premiership favourites NWS Spirit FC 5-0 in a night to remember for coach David Perkovic and his troops.
After scoring two late goals in the first half, the visitors ran away with game scoring three more in the second to make a real statement to all other teams that this NWS Spirit FC outfit is the real deal.
It was a crucial match for the Premiership with both NWS Spirit FC and Marconi coming into the clash level on points at the top of the table but for the away side this outstanding win, after sensationally dispatching Rockdale Ilinden 6-3 last week, was nothing short of truly impressive.
The game’s opening chance arrived in the 11th minute when a powerful left-footed volley by Jordan Perez was beautifully neutralised by the home goalkeeper James Hilton.
A few minutes later Dominic Costanzo replied for the Stallions, but his shot on target wasn’t too much trouble for Christopher Marques.
The first forty minutes or so of the contest was a really tight affair with neither side conceding an inch, as expected given that it was a top-of-the-table clash. Real goal scoring chances were as rare as hen’s teeth.
However, shortly afterwards, NWS Spirit scored two goals in the space of two minutes to slice the game wide open.
The visitors first arrived in the 39th minute and it was really out of nothing. Michael Konestabo stole the ball from Costanzo and then proceeded to fire a rocket towards goal that ended up where the spiders live in the top left hand corner.
Two minutes later Takumi Ofuma made it two. He was fed a beautiful through ball by Yu Okubo and then he weaved his magic through the Marconi defence before firing his shot straight into the back of the net.
It was a real dagger through the heart of Marconi given that it was such a tight and even contest up until that point and so close to the halftime break.
The first opportunity of the second stanza of play was Spirit’s third goal in the 48th minute when a corner by Perez reached Jamie Percevski and he climbed higher than most at the near post to send his header into the net off Tass Mourdoukoutas who was credited with the own goal. A set piece that should have been defended a lot better was definitely a bitter pill to swallow for the home fans.
On the hour mark a free kick from distance by Perez was delicately chipped wide of the mark and by now Marconi’s coach Peter Tsekenis had seen enough as he again went to the bench and made a double change.
Fortunes did somewhat change for the home side as there were two great chances in a short space of time.
After a scrappy bit of play in the 65th minute, the ball fell nicely for a James Bayliss header from close range that finished just over the crossbar in what was a great chance for Marconi.
The home side came close again three minutes later when Tyren Burnie squared the ball from the right to Matej Busek but goalkeeper Christopher Marques made a great save to turn it away for a corner.
In the 75th minute though Yu Okubo made it four for NWS Spirit after intercepting a wayward back-pass from Marconi and with a nice diagonal finish he found the back of the net.
In the 78th Konestabo was trying to round the goalkeeper when he was brought down by the Marconi custodian and referee Craig Fisher, one of the best in the business, was there to award a penalty. Konestabo dusted himself off and with a majestic spot kick sent the ‘keeper Hilton the wrong way to make it five.
In the 84th minute Jacob Chidiac with a diagonal shot forced Hilton into a nice save with his feet to prevent the sixth in what was the last scoring opportunity of the contest.
After the game NWS Spirit FC coach David Perkovic was obviously delighted with the win given that it leaves his side alone at the top of the table as well as putting one hand on that coveted Australian Championship spot.
“Our players were outstanding, both offensively and defensively and were fantastic overall,” he said. “I couldn’t ask for anything better but the only downer tonight was that Kyah Williams did his collarbone.
“I don’t think you go into any game in this competition and think that you are going to put on a whole lot of goals, let alone against Marconi. But tonight we came in on equal points and it was always going to be a tough game, so that’s why I am even more pleased with such a great result.”
Match Stats
MARCONI STALLIONS: 0
NWS SPIRIT FC: 5 (Konestabo 39’, 79’ pen., Ofuka 41’, Mourdoukoutas o.g. 49’, Yu Okubo 75’)
Saturday 26th July
Marconi Stadium, Bossley Park
Referee: Craig Fisher
Assistant referees: Maggie Price, Liam Smith
Fourth Official: Alana Zic
MARCONI STALLIONS: 1. James Hilton, 2. Tyren Burnie, 5. Lachlan Griffiths (23. Brandon Vella 26’), 6. Dominic Costanzo (24. Matej Busek 46’), 7. Franco Maya, 8. James Bayliss, 10. Marko Jesic, 13. Tass Mourdoukoutas, 14. Jake Trew (9. Kyle Cimenti 62’), 16. Liam Youlley (12. Julian Monge 69’), 17. Damian Tsekenis (99. Jordan Swibel 62’).
Substitutes not used: 20. Patrick Williams.
Yellow Cards: Mourdoukoutas 54’, Bayliss 70’, Hilton 79’
Red Cards: Nil
NWS SPIRIT FC: 1. Christopher Marques, 5. Jordan Perez, 7. Frankie Ljukovic, 8. Grant Cornwell, 9. Yu Okubo (3. Kyah Williams 80’), 10. Michael Konestabo (19. Zayne Ahluwalia 88’), 11. Ollie Wiggin (21. Harry Keys 88’), 13. Simon Nicholas (17. Jacob Chidiac 83’), 15. Jamie Percevski, 18. Andre Takami, 22. Takumi Ofuka.
Substitutes not used: 12. Jay Coates, 20. Austin Oates.
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Takumi Ofuka (NWS)
2 – Michael Konestabo (NWS)
1 – Jordan Perez (NWS)
By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Joe Russo
