Stallions too strong as Blacktown City slump deeper into relegation fight

The Marconi Stallions produced a professional display to defeat Blacktown City 2-0 at Marconi Stadium on Sunday afternoon, strengthening their premiership push while leaving City further entrenched in the relegation battle.

Jack Armson opened the scoring before Damian Tsekenis moved to the top of the NPL Men’s NSW Golden Boot race with his 14th goal of the season.

Both sides entered Round 21 looking to capitalise on results elsewhere, with Marconi aiming to continue their charge at the top and Blacktown City desperate to climb out of the promotion/relegation playoff position they have occupied for much of the season.

The home side started strongly and could have taken the lead inside 90 seconds, only for desperate defending from Nathan Grimaldi to deny them. The move saw Matej Busek find space on the left before setting up Damian Tsekenis, whose initial effort was saved at point-blank range by Cooper Rogers. The rebound fell to captain Marko Jesic, but Grimaldi’s last-ditch sliding block kept the game level.

Marconi continued to apply pressure, with Franco Maya, Tsekenis, Busek and Jesic all testing debutant goalkeeper Rogers, but City’s defence held firm through a busy opening half-hour.

However, the breakthrough arrived in the 31st minute when Jack Armson headed home. The move began with Tyren Burnie showing excellent skill to beat two defenders before delivering a low cross to Armson at the near post, who made no mistake to give Marconi the lead.

The Stallions carried their dominance into the second half, with Maya producing two dangerous efforts in the opening stages after the restart.

Blacktown City then enjoyed their best spell just after the hour mark. Substitute Mitchell Mallia rattled the crossbar from a free kick before Sebastian Hayward forced Marconi goalkeeper Joel Wade into his first save of the afternoon.

But just as City began to build momentum, Marconi struck again. A perfectly weighted cross from George Daniel found Tsekenis, whose header was saved by Rogers, only for the rebound to fall kindly for the striker to score his 14th goal of the season and double the lead.

The contest was further disrupted when Marconi centre-back Anton Mlinaric was sent off after receiving a second yellow card following an exchange with Nicholas O’Brien, who was also cautioned.

Despite the setback, the Stallions held firm to secure a crucial victory that moves them five points clear of Sydney United 58 in third place.

Marconi head coach Peter Tsekenis praised the performance, highlighting the importance of maintaining momentum in the title race, while also noting his side’s strong defensive run and unbeaten form.

“I thought it was a very good performance, especially against a team that was desperate to keep off the foot of the table. The three points were very important today,” Marconi Stallions head coach Peter Tsekenis said

“We’re 12 games without a loss and have kept four clean sheets in a row, so we’re heading in the right direction.

“The [Premiership race] is always close, so you’ve just got to pick up as many points as you can and at the end, whoever is left at the top are worthy winners,” said Tsekenis

For Blacktown City, they remain in the promotion/relegation playoff spot and plunge deeper into the relegation battle with Sydney Olympic, just three points behind City after picking up a rare win over the also out-of-form St George FC. 

Match Stats

Marconi Stallions 2 (Jack Armson 34’, Damian Tsekenis 68’)

Blacktown City 0 

Sunday 28th June, 2026

Marconi Stadium

Referee: Declan Woods

Assistant Referees: Amirhossein Hosnani and Charlie Hollings

Fourth Official: Alec Baele

Marconi Stallions: 1. Joel Wade, 2. Tyren Burnie, 3. Cameron Windust (27. Antonio Marvello 80’), 4. Anton Mlinaric, 5. George Daniel, 7. Franco Maya (17. Sunday Yona 73’), 9. Damian Tsekenis, 10. Marko Jesic (12. Julian Monge 85’), 11. Matej Busek, 14. Jack Armson, 23. Quinten Blair

Substitutes Not Used: 16. Luca Pecora, 35. Marco Santangelo, 40. Aaron Hage, 96. Ebuka Okoye

Yellow Cards: Anton Mlinaric 31’, 90, Cameron Windust 63’

Red Cards: Anton Mlinaric 90’

Blacktown City: 3. Lachlan Tilt, 4. Nicholas O’Brien, 6. Adam Berry, 7. Travis Major, 10. Maksim Jez, 11. Kodai Tanaka (14. Mitchell Mallia 46’), 15. Caleb Jackson-Brown, 19. Sebastian Hayward, 20. Cooper Rogers, 22. Jacob Maniti (24. Lachlan Henderson 64’), 27. Nathan Grimaldi

Substitutes Not Used: 1. Cayden Henderson, 16. Riley Nolan, 17. Julian Rodriguez, 18. Jake Briggs, 21. Aiden Renshaw

Yellow Cards: Nicholas O’Brien 90’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings: 

3 – Jack Armson (MAR)

2 – Damian Tsekenis (MAR)

1 – Cooper Rogers (BCT)

By Keane McKenna