Six of the Best: Stallions Too Strong for Raiders
Marconi Stallions, one of the most established clubs in the NPL Men’s NSW competition, hosted newly promoted SD Raiders at The Palace and ran out 6–1 winners in a dominant display.
However, the scoreline did not fully reflect the contest, with the Raiders proving far more competitive than the result suggests.
A hat-trick from Damian Tsekenis, a brace from Jack Armson, and a goal from substitute Sunday Yona secured all three points for the home side.
The match exploded into life almost instantly, with Marconi opening the scoring after just 20 seconds. A perfectly weighted through ball from Marko Jesic—celebrating his 300th appearance for the club—found Armson, who calmly finished from just inside the box.
SD Raiders nearly responded in the 9th minute when Sebastian Malfara’s corner was flicked on by Joel Chianese at the near post. With goalkeeper Joel Wade involved, the ball struck the crossbar, denying the visitors an equaliser.
Marconi replied in the 15th minute through Matej Busek, whose diagonal effort forced William Loucas into a diving save. The game then settled into a tight contest, with both sides refusing to concede ground.
Tsekenis had a chance in the 41st minute when a long ball found him on the far side, but he was unable to convert. He made no mistake a minute later, however, after SD Raiders conceded possession in midfield. Armson surged forward before setting up Tsekenis, who finished clinically from close range.
Marconi nearly added a third in stoppage time, but Franco Maya’s goal-bound effort was heroically cleared off the line by Cooper Hanagan.
The second half began with Marconi again on the front foot, Busek unable to keep his shot down in the 48th minute. Malfara responded for the Raiders shortly after, forcing Wade into a strong save with a long-range effort.
The game then burst into life with three goals in as many minutes. Armson and Tsekenis combined again for Marconi’s third, with the striker weaving through the defence before finishing neatly.
SD Raiders responded almost immediately, as a Chianese cross was only partially cleared, falling to Luka Knezevic, whose effort struck the post and crossed the line, as confirmed by the assistant referee.
Any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished when Marconi restored their cushion in the 59th minute. After a Tsekenis shot was only partially cleared, Armson reacted quickest to win the ball and volley home his second.
Substitute Sunday Yona added further gloss to the scoreline in the 81st minute, producing a fine individual finish after a move initiated by Adam Buaggarija.
Tsekenis then completed his hat-trick in opportunistic fashion, capitalising on a poor clearance from Loucas to slot home Marconi’s sixth and cap off a clinical night in front of goal.
Post-match, Marconi coach Peter Tsekenis acknowledged both the positives and the challenges of the encounter.
“It wasn’t easy, to be honest,” he said.
“We’ll take the 6–1 because we took our chances and created quite a few, but it was a tough 6–1 win.
“Credit to SD Raiders—they made a game of it for the whole match despite the scoreline. I wasn’t too happy with the first half, but we corrected a few things in the second which made it easier for us.
“The reaction in the second half and the execution of instructions was very positive from the boys. We took our chances when it mattered, and it’s also nice to be back at home after a long break.”
SD Raiders coach Goran Ljuboja remained philosophical in defeat.
“I thought we were okay in the first half, but the early goal hurt us,” he said.
“At 2–0 down at halftime, we were still positive and trying to build, but we conceded another cheap goal. They were clinical and took their chances.
“It’s a learning and humbling experience that gives us something to build on.”
Match Stats
MARCONI STALLIONS: 6 (Armson 1’, 59’ Tsekenis 43’, 57’, 88’, Yona 81’)
SD RAIDERS FC : 1 (Fernandez 58’)
Saturday 11th April
Marconi Stadium, Bossley Park
Referee: Rowan Fisher
Assistant referees: Lance Greenshields, Daniel Cornofsky
Fourth Official: Luke Brennan
MARCONI STALLIONS: 1. Joel Wade, 2. Tyren Burnie, 4. Anton Mlinaric (3. Cameron Windust 64’), 5. George Daniel, 6. Teng Kuol, 7. Franco Maya (21. Noah Anderson 73’), 9. Damian Tsekenis, 10. Marko Jesic (17. Sunday Yona 73’), 11. Matej Busek (8. Adam Baugarija 73’), 14. Jack Armson (18. Dimi Petratos 84’), 23. Quinten Blair.
Substitutes not used: 16. Luca Pecora, 20. Oliver Yates
Yellow Cards: Busek 31’
Red Cards: Nil
SD RAIDERS FC: 40. William Loucas, 4. Cooper Hanagan, 6. Lachlan Everett (23. Thomas Makko 64’), 8. James Letta (22. Yonatan Sebhatu 64’), 10. Luka Knezevic (7. Mihael Marcic 64’), 12. Lachlan McGrath, 14. Noah Chianese, 17. Martin Fernandez, 18. Charlie Ragg, 19. Riley Cox-Barlow (9. Jakov Malbasa 64’), 21. Sebastian Malfara.
Substitutes not used: 1. Michael Figueria, 11. Thomas Santarossa, 47. Ethan Beaven
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Damian Tsekenis (Marconi)
2 – Jack Armson (Marconi)
1 – Matej Busek (Marconi)
By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Joe Russo
