Marconi Stallions End St George’s Ironclad Defence in Stunning Second‑Half Comeback
Barton Park on a perfect autumn evening for football was the backdrop for a mouth‑watering NPL Men’s NSW clash between St George FC and Marconi Stallions, and after an astonishing 616 minutes without conceding a goal, Marconi finally cracked the seemingly impenetrable Saints defence to roar back and win 2‑1 in thrilling fashion.
It was substitute Adam Bugarija who had the honours of breaking St George’s clean sheet streak, rifling home after the Stallions finally found a way through in the second half, and that was quickly followed by a cool and emphatic Damian Tsekenis penalty to seal the comeback with real flair.
The impetus behind the turnaround was the masterful tactical switch by experienced coach Peter Tsekenis, whose astute substitutions injected fresh energy and momentum into the contest — a move that turned the match in Marconi’s favour after St George had taken a well‑deserved lead at the break thanks to a delightful finish from Harry Keys.
The first real chance of the game came in the 3rd minute when a dangerous Marco Jesic free‑kick saw Cameron Windust meet it with a towering header that went just over the crossbar.
The contest remained tight and hard‑fought, with both sides struggling to unlock each other’s defence until the 25th minute, when Keys rose to meet a great Justin Poon cross — but his header lacked direction and went begging. Moments later, Keys turned provider with a brilliant run and threaded ball to Poon, but the chance was lost when Poon mis‑timed his connection.
Marconi came close in the 37th minute when a corner found George Daniel, whose fierce drive from distance forced a superb save from St George keeper Nicholas Sorras.
But it was St George who struck first in the 41st minute, with a sublime through‑ball from Kota Toyooka slicing open the defence, allowing Keys to glide around the keeper and finish with a smart diagonal strike that sent the home crowd in the Frank Arok Grandstand into raptures.
The second half saw Marconi come out with renewed intent. A Jesic free‑kick in the 51st minute drifted harmlessly over, before St George threatened on the break through Keys’ assist to Jake Trew, only for visiting keeper Joel Wade to rush out and make a sharp low save. A free‑kick from Franco Maya on the hour was turned over the bar by Sorras and Trew flashed a shot across the face of goal shortly after, keeping St George’s hopes alive.
But the breakthrough finally came in the 76th minute. A looping cross from Daniel found Sunday Yona, whose header was parried only as far as Bugarija — who made no mistake from close range to draw Marconi level. Just five minutes later, Noah Anderson was brought down in the box, and Tsekenis stepped up to drill the ensuing penalty past Sorras with composure and power to put the Stallions ahead and spark jubilant celebrations among the travelling supporters.
St George pressed late in stoppage time, with Anthony Morabito feeding Kadyn Wright, but Wright’s effort skied wide — the home side’s final chance to salvage a point.
Post-match Marconi Stallions coach Peter Tsekenis gave praise to both sides.
“Credit to St George because you could see that they were full of confidence and their first half was fantastic,” he said.
“At halftime when we came in, we knew that we had to lift the tempo because we were better than that and then, when the subs came on, it gave us that energy that we needed.
“We then made some changes in the backline which wasn’t easy and in the end we came away with the win in another away game which is fantastic.
“I know that these boys on the bench are hungry and wanting to start, so it’s a good position for me to be in.”
Meanwhile, over in the St George FC dressing room their coach Raphael Marie still managed to see the positives in his team despite the loss.
“We probably should have scored more in the first half,” he stated. “There are a lot of positives to take from tonight and the boys did very well, but just in two moments we conceded the goals.
“Marconi is an experienced team and they are hard to defend against but we were sloppy twice and paid the price. It’s about scoring more goals for us because we create a lot of chances.
“However, we will just push forward with this as a learning experience for the boys and compete next week here at home against NWS Spirit.”
Match Stats
St GEORGE FC: 1 (Keys 42’)
MARCONI STALLIONS: 2 (Bugarija 76’, Tsekenis 81’ pen.)
Saturday 21st March
Barton Park, Kyeemagh
Referee: Jackson Mackie
Assistant referees: Alessandro Llana, Rory McFarlane
Fourth Official: Michael Patti
St GEORGE FC: 1. Nicholas Sorras, 4. Jayden Seeto, 5. Nicholas Kalogerou, 7. Justin Poon, 8. Evangelo Souris (22. Nicholas Stavropoulos 89’), 9. Jake Trew, 15. Marko Rodic (25. Harrison Farrow 46’), 16. Kadyn Wright, 20. Kota Toyooka, 21. Harry Keys (11. Anthony Morabito 63’), 23. Javier Rodriguez (6. Patrick O’Shea 63’)
Substitutes not used: 2. Rocco Smith, 13. Sebastian La Luz, 38. Rafael Costa
Yellow Cards: Keys 50’
Red Cards: Nil
MARCONI STALLIONS: 1. Joel Wade, 2. Tyren Burnie, 3. Cameron Windust (8. Adam Bugarija 75’), 5. George Daniel, 7. Franco Maya (17. Sunday Yona 69’), 9. Damian Tsekenis, 10. Marko Jesic (21. Noah Anderson 69’), 11. Matej Busek, 14. Jack Armson, 16. Luca Pecora, 23. Quinten Blair.
Substitutes not used: 18. Demi Petratos, 20. Oliver Yates, 25. Andre Scott, 27. Antonio Marvello.
Yellow Cards: Burnie 39’, Wade 91’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – George Daniel (Marconi)
2 – Justin Poon (St George)
1 – Noah Anderson (Marconi)
By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Joe Russo
