Stallions defeat APIA in Derby D’Italia Thriller
Marconi Stadium hosted the classic Derby D’Italia in Round 27 and the home side managed to get away with a 3-2 win over APIA Leichhardt in what was a highly entertaining game of football.
Marconi Stallions were coming into this classic fixture three points behind APIA Leichhardt with a game in hand but with today’s win and both sides now even, it would be hard from any opposition to ignore the Premiership claims of both Marconi and APIA with three games to go in the regular season
The game’s first real chance arrived in the 13th minute when Dominic Costanzo attempted to curl one in from outside the box but it ended up over the crossbar.
APIA replied in the 20th minute with a shot from Jack Stewart on the right hand side that was well saved by goalkeeper James Hilton. From the ensuing corner it was the captain for the visitors Sean Symons from a tight angle that again forced Hilton into another nice save.
Marconi then took the lead up the other end of the field in the 22nd minute thanks to a glorious Tyren Burnie strike. A long ball forward found Costanzo who ran into some defenders before finding Marko Jesic, who in turn set up Burnie who hit it first time and the ball crashed in off the underside of the crossbar and over the line to give the home side the lead. APIA Leichhardt hit back three minutes later to score a deserved equaliser. A throw-in found Maksim Kasalovic who from the by-line provided the assist for Franco Farinella to score a rather simple goal in the end from just inside the box.
In the 27th minute Alex Denmead galloped through the heart of the Marconi defence on a mesmerising run before Hilton made a great save to deny him one-on-one at the last moment.
Two minutes later a fortuitous bounce favoured Farinella who unleashed a thunderous volley that forced Hilton into another glorious save to turn the ball away for a corner. It was indeed turning into some performance from the Marconi custodian between the sticks.
There was even more pressure from APIA Leichhardt in the 37th as Stewart weaved some magic in the middle before finding Rory Jordan who fired his diagonal shot over the target.
After absorbing the APIA Leichhardt pressure, Marconi then managed to retake the lead. In the 38th minute a corner that was not properly cleared eventually fell to Julian Monge who from close range drove it home.
However, APIA Leichhardt were not to be outdone in this scintillating first half because on the stroke of halftime they equalised again. It was Farinella who chipped the ball over the top for Denmead who managed to poke it over the out-rushing Hilton to send the sides into the break all square.
The second stanza of play’s first goal scoring opportunity fell to APIA Leichhardt in the 56th minute when Jordan in the box had his shot blocked by some desperate Marconi defending before the ball fell to Denmead who was denied by Hilton down low at his feet, but APIA must have been wondering how they missed that one from such close range.
On the hour mark Marconi then retook the lead for the third time in the encounter. A perfect cross from near the by-line on the left by James Bayliss found Damian Tsekenis in the middle who unmarked headed towards goal but, despite goalkeeper Oliver Kalac appearing to make a wonderful one-handed save, the assistant referee adjudged the sphere to have crossed the line and Marconi were again ahead.
In the 67th minute APIA Leichhardt tried their luck when substitute Presley Ortiz provided a lovely ball to Stewart on the right but his shot was again neutralised by an alert Hilton.
In stoppage time Marconi almost made it four when Jesic switched the ball from left to right to find Kyle Cimenti who then provided the assist to Matej Busek, but his shot was just wide of the goal.
After the game Marconi Stallions coach Peter Tsekenis was very happy with the three points.
“It was a very important win,” he said.
“There were two great sides battling it out today and with the wet ground it made it difficult to play great football.
“We were fortunate enough to get there in the end in what was really a six point game. We are now looking at it one game at a time and getting ready for the finals and hopefully without more injuries.”
When asked about his goalkeeper James Hilton, Peter Tsekenis didn’t hold back about his goalkeeper and APIA’s Oliver Kalac.
“There were two of the best goalkeepers in the competition in that game out there today but today Jimmy kept us in the game today and we are fortunate enough to have him.”
In the other dressing room APIA Leichhardt coach Franco Parisi was understandably disappointed
“We did a lot of good things today but conceding three goals was always going to make it tough,” he stated.
“I am happy with the way we are playing football because we can find space and create great opportunities and most teams simply play defensively against us and set up a block.”
Match Stats
MARCONI STALLIONS: 3 (Burnie 22’, J.Monge 38’, Tsekenis 60’)
APIA LEICHHARDT FC: 2 (Farinella 25’, Denmead 45’)
Sunday 9th August
Marconi Stadium
Referee: Stephen Lucas
Assistant referees: Cameron Wright, Hayden Kay
Fourth Official: Alexandar Zastavnikovic
MARCONI STALLIONS: 1. James Hilton, 2. Tyren Burnie, 6. Dom Costanzo (14. Jake Trew 64’), 7. Franco Maya (9. Kyle Cimenti 90’), 8. James Bayliss, 10. Marko Jesic, 12. Julian Monge (16. Liam Youlley 78’), 13. Tass Mourdoukoutas, 17. Damian Tsekenis (24. Matej Busek 64’), 18. George Daniel, 23. Brandon Vella.
Substitutes not used: 20. Patrick Williams, 35. Sebastian Kiceec.
Yellow Card: Jesic 88’
Red Cards: Nil
APIA LEICHHARDT FC: 80. Oliver Kalac, 2. Seiya Kambayashi, 5. Dredon Kelly, 6. Patrick Flottman, 7. Jack Stewart, 11. Rory Jordan (26. Cameron Fong 64’), 16. Sean Symons, 19. Fabian Monge (18. Adrian Ucchino 81’), 29. Maksim Kasalovic (22. Eddie Caspers 61’), 30. Alex Denmead (9. Presley Ortiz 64’), 99. Franco Farinella (41. Nicholas Azzone 81’).
Substitutes not used: 50. Alexander Parkes
Yellow Card: Symons 88’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – James Hilton (MS)
2 – Tyren Burnie (MS)
1 – Sean Symons (AL)
By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Joe Russo
