Stallions sting Spirit
Marconi Stallions delivered a composed and clinical performance to defeat NWS Spirit 3-0 at Christie Park on Saturday evening, strengthening their push towards the top of the table.
Jack Armson set the tone early, opening the scoring inside the opening stages with a smart finish after creating space on the edge of the box and placing the ball low into the bottom corner.
The Stallions doubled their advantage soon after through Damian Tsekenis, who powered home a well-placed header from Marko Jesic’s pinpoint cross to give the visitors firm control of the contest before the break.
Spirit had started brightly, with Simon Nicholas testing Joel Wade from distance in the fourth minute, before Franco Maya responded for Marconi with a dipping free kick that narrowly cleared the crossbar.
Despite a promising spell from the hosts, it was Marconi who struck first. Armson’s opener was followed quickly by sustained pressure, and although Jesic had the chance to extend the lead from the penalty spot, his effort rattled the crossbar.
Spirit’s best chance of the half came through Shoki Yoshia, who headed wide from a dangerous cross as the Stallions maintained their two-goal buffer into halftime.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Spirit searching for a way back while Marconi looked increasingly dangerous in transition. Corey Kavanagh went close early for the hosts, but his effort flew over under pressure.
The decisive blow came just after the hour mark when Tsekenis grabbed his second of the afternoon, reacting quickest to a ball in behind from Adam Bugarija and finishing smartly to extend the lead to 3-0.
From there, Marconi controlled the tempo. Jesic continued to threaten, including an audacious half-volley that flew wide, while Maya went close late on with a curling effort that drifted just past the post.
Spirit pushed in the closing stages through Kaan Nizam and Kavanagh, but Joel Wade remained largely untroubled as the Stallions saw out a comfortable and professional victory.
In the end, Marconi’s attacking quality and clinical edge proved the difference as they left Christie Park with a deserved three points and continued momentum in their title charge.
Match Stats
NWS Spirit FC 0
Marconi Stallions 3 (Armson 18’, Tsekenis 21’ 61’)
Saturday 16 May, 2026
Christie Park, Macquarie Park
Referee: Adrian Arndt
Assistant Referees: Liam Smith and Dante Diaz
Fourth Official: Wael Arabi
NWS Spirit FC: 1. Christopher Marques, 2. Aiden Mostofi, 3. Kyah Williams, 7. Shoki Yoshida (11. Kaan Nizam 60’), 8. Grant Cornwell (5. Owen Henderson 74’), 10. Kosta Petratos, 13. Simon Nicholas, 15. Sam Armson (18. Andre Takami 74’), 17. Riku Kobayashi, 19. Zayne Ahluwalia (6. Corey Kavanagh 46’), 23. Daizo Horikoshi
Substitutes Not Used: 12. Jay Coates, 14. Benjamin Duroux, 32. Thomas Mason
Yellow Cards: Marques 24’
Red Cards: Nil
Marconi Stallions: 1. Joel Wade, 2. Tyren Burnie, 3. Cameron Windust, 5. George Daniel, 7. Franco Maya (38. Daniel Osei 86’), 8. Adam Bugarija (12. Julian Monge 90’), 9. Damian Tsekenis, 10. Marko Jesic (17. Sunday Yona 71’), 11. Matej Busek (19. Pearson Kasawaya 90’), 14. Jack Armson, 27. Antonio Marvello
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Oliver Yates, 22. Luka Strbac, 32. Akira Tu
Yellow Cards: Tsekenis 52’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 – Damian Tsekenis (MS)
2 – Adam Bugarija (MS)
1 – Jack Armson (MS)
