Bedleg Strikes Again As St George City Stun Marconi At The Palace
St George City produced another stunning upset in Round 26 of the NPL Men’s NSW competition, defeating a deflated Marconi Stallions 1-0 away from home at The Palace.
Fresh off their impressive victory over Sydney United 58 last weekend, St George continued their late-season resurgence, with new signing Lucas Bedleg once again proving the difference by scoring the decisive goal.
The result marks back-to-back match-winning performances for Bedleg, who has made an immediate impact since joining the club during the transfer window.
For Marconi, the defeat continues a difficult period, with the Stallions now suffering three consecutive losses after spending much of the season at the top of the table. Their Premiership hopes have taken a significant hit as they continue to search for a return to winning form.
St George started brightly and created the first opportunity of the contest in the eighth minute when Bassam Sabbagh found space inside the penalty area, only for Tyren Burnie to produce an important block.
The visitors would not have to wait long for the breakthrough.
Just two minutes later, Solomon Monahan-Vaiika delivered a dangerous cross from the left towards Bedleg, who reacted quickest in the middle and saw his finish go in off the post to give St George the lead.
The goal continued Bedleg’s incredible start at the club, following his match-winning strike against Sydney United 58 the previous week.
Marconi responded with their first real opportunity in the 19th minute, with Damian Tsekenis finding space down the right before firing into the side netting.
Sabbagh continued to cause problems for the Stallions defence, producing some impressive skill inside the penalty area before seeing his effort deflected over the crossbar.
St George almost doubled their advantage in the 28th minute when Louis Khoury created space through the middle and struck a low effort that cannoned off the base of the post.
Khoury then turned provider shortly afterwards, finding Bedleg on the edge of the box, but the forward could only send his effort over the crossbar.
Marconi created their best chance of the opening half just before the break when Burnie delivered a cross from the by-line towards Tsekenis at the back post, but his header drifted narrowly wide.
The Stallions began the second half with renewed intent, with Franco Maya’s corner in the 54th minute almost catching St George goalkeeper Jack Kenny out as the delivery struck the crossbar.
Substitute Sunday Yona came close in the 66th minute, but Kenny reacted quickly to smother the close-range effort.
Both teams used their benches as the second half progressed, but clear-cut opportunities became increasingly difficult to find.
St George remained disciplined defensively, limiting Marconi’s attacking threat, while Malik Amin’s diagonal volley in the 83rd minute was one of the few chances created by the visitors in the closing stages.
The final whistle confirmed a huge three points for St George City, continuing their remarkable late-season improvement and creating further pressure on Marconi’s Premiership ambitions.
Following the match, St George City coach Mirko Jurilj praised his side’s mentality and consistency over the past fortnight.
“It proves that we do have the ability, but in some ways I wish we had shown it more consistently earlier in the season,” Jurilj said.
“We do have that real passion and desire, but we haven’t always shown it throughout the season.
“We are a quality team that gave Marconi no chances this afternoon. They are of course a very good team with good individual players, so we knew what was coming and planned accordingly with our play.”
Jurilj was also full of praise for Bedleg’s immediate impact since arriving at the club.
“He has a real nose for goal which is great. He was in the US College system and they didn’t play many games over there as they train a lot, but you can see that he has something special.”
Match Stats
MARCONI STALLIONS: 0
St GEORGE CITY FA: 1 (Bedleg 9’)
Saturday 2nd August, 2026
Marconi Stadium, Bossley Park
Referee: Eric Saba
Assistant referees: Patrick Teleki, Amirhossein Hosnani
Fourth Official: Tom Seldon
MARCONI STALLIONS: 1. Joel Wade, 2. Tyren Burnie, 4. Anton Mlinaric, 5. George Daniel, 6. Teng Kuol, 7. Franco Maya (16. Luca Pecora 72’), 9. Damian Tsekenis, 10. Marko Jesic (19. Ahmad Elhelou 77’), 11. Matej Busek (17. Sunday Yona 46’), 14. Jack Armson (8. James Bayliss 62’), 23. Quinten Blair.
Substitutes not used: 3. Cameron Windust, 12. Julian Monge, 40. Aaron Hage.
Yellow Cards: Armson 35’
Red Card: Nil
St GEORGE CITY FA: 1. Jack Kenny, 4. Solomon Monahan-Vaiika, 8. Stefano Rossello (6. Tarik Ercan 70’), 9. Lucas Bedleg (16. Yohn Pedersen 75’), 11. Ben Giason, 17. Mason Tatafu, 20. Theph Theph, 25. Brodie Clarkson, 33. Louis Khoury, 35. Spencer Webster (21. Malik Amin 75’), 47. Bassam Sabbagh 5. Lewis Miccio 93’).
Substitutes not used: 10. Paolo Mitry, 13. Franklin Jan, 30. Gideon Arok.
Yellow Cards: Clarkson 76′
Red Cards: Nil
By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Joe Russo
