Stallions Survive Early Scare to Extend Winning Form

Marconi Stallions, fresh off a 6-1 win last weekend, arrived at Penshurst Park full of confidence but were pushed all the way by a determined St George City side, ultimately leaving with a hard-fought 2-1 comeback victory.

The hosts struck first against the run of play through Jesse Photi, who punished Marconi’s high line with a perfectly timed run in behind. Beating the offside trap, he raced onto a ball over the top and, despite pressure from a back-peddling defender, calmly picked his spot to fire City into the lead.

Earlier, Franco Maya had already gone close in the 9th minute with a dipping free-kick that had goalkeeper Jack Kenny beaten, only to crash back off the post as Marconi threatened to strike first.

Despite City’s opener, Marconi had largely controlled possession and looked the more dangerous side in the opening stages, though it was the hosts who capitalised on their moment to go 1-0 up at the quarter-hour mark through Photi’s composed finish on the counter.

The goal sparked St George City into life, as they began to grow into the contest and disrupt Marconi’s rhythm, even if clear chances remained limited as the game settled into a midfield battle. Both sides showed crisp passing and committed defending, but end product was hard to come by.

City also had a brief penalty appeal waved away in the 38th minute when Hiroto Dohmoto went down inside the box, but the referee was unmoved.

Marconi, however, still went into the break frustrated—despite dominating possession, striking the woodwork, and controlling large portions of the half, they trailed 1-0.

The response after the restart was immediate.

Just as they had shown last week, the Stallions lifted another gear, and it was Teng Kuol who delivered the moment of brilliance they needed—unleashing a thunderous strike from distance to bring the scores level in spectacular fashion.

From there, Marconi sensed the momentum shift.

After a couple of frantic goalmouth scrambles, the pressure finally told in the 64th minute. A Kuol corner caused chaos in the box, and Jack Armson reacted quickest, smashing home from close range to complete the turnaround and give the Stallions the lead for the first time in the match.

From that point on, Marconi looked the more likely side, showing composure and game management as they dealt with City’s response.

St George made a flurry of changes in search of an equaliser, but clear chances were limited.

Marconi nearly put the game to bed in the 84th minute when Damian Tsekenis, in red-hot form, met a looping ball but couldn’t generate enough power with his header, allowing Jack Kenny to gather and keep City alive.

In the end, it wasn’t a polished performance but it was another display of resilience and winning mentality from the Stallions, who continue to apply pressure on the top two with another gritty, statement victory on the road.

Match Stats

St. George City 1 (Jesse Photi 15’)

Marconi Stallions 2 (Teng Kuol 49’, Jack Armson 64’)

Penshurst Park, Penshurst Saturday, 18th April, 2026

Referee: Ayad Naji

Assistants: Amirhossein Hosnani & Marco Saalmans

Fourth Official: Rory McFarlane

St. George City: 1. Jack Kenny, 2. Matthew Wahby, 3. Ben Berry, 4.Solomon-Johnn Monohan-Vaiika (30. Ahmad Taleb 88’), 6. Tarik Ercan (7.Oscar Gultekin 77’), 8. Stefano Rossello (25. Brodie Clarkson 77’), 11. Jesse Photi, 16. Yohn Pedersen, 17. Mason Tatafu, 19. Roman Culina (27. Matthew Jackson 65’), 23. Hiroto Dohmoto (44. Hugo McAteer 77’) Subs Not Used: 13. Franklin Jan, 39. Max Martintich Yellow Cards: Nil Red Cards: Nil

Marconi Stallions: 1. Joel Wade, 2. Tyren Burnie, 4. Anton Mlinaric, 5. George Daniel, 6. Teng Kuol, 7. Franco Maya Valiente, 9. Damian Tsenenis, 10. Marco Jesic (3. Cameron Windust 90’), 11 Matej Busek, 14. Jack Armson, 23. Quinten Blair Subs Not Used. 8. Adam Bugarija, 16. Luca Pecora, 17. Sunday Yona, 19.Pearson Kasawaya, 20. Oliver Yates, 21. Noah Anderson Yellow Cards: Nil Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Teng Kuol (MS)

2 – Jesse Photi (STGC)

1 – Jack Armson (MS)

By NPL NSW Men’s Reporter Micky Brock