Spirit soar past Marconi to seal Preliminary Finals spot
NWS Spirit FC produced a near perfect performance to upset an out-of-form Marconi Stallions in their Elimination Semi Final bout, defeating them 3-1 at Marconi Stadium on Wednesday to set up a meeting with premiers APIA Leichhardt.
Spirit proved too much to handle in both defence and attack throughout the contest as they secured their place in the Preliminary Finals fpr the second year in a row, setting the stage for a massive clash against APIA Leichhardt on Sunday afternoon at Lambert Park.
The result also marked Peter Tsekenis and Peter Papoythis’ last NPL game in charge of Marconi after the pair confirmed 2026 would be their last year with the Stallions, a ten-year stint that has been filled with great success.
The hosts largely controlled the early proceedings of the first half, but it was Spirit who grew into it and created the threatening chances as they also secured an early lead in the tenth minute.
The goal came right after a Sam Armson corner kick from the right wherein he received the ball again and sent another cross into the box which was guided into the net from close range by Kosta Petratos.
The visitors should have made it two on the half hour mark when some excellent play down the left led to Corey Kavanagh delivering a perfect low cross to a completely free Noah Peacock in the middle of the box, but the youngster’s low volley effort sailed over the crossbar.
Spirit maintained the pressure and came extremely close again to scoring in the 34th minute when Kosta Petratos released a left-footed strike in the box, though the left post came to Marconi’s rescue to keep it 1-0.
Petratos was gifted another chance in the 39th minute to bag a brace when a mistake at the back allowed him to produce a clear shot on goal, though he ultimately squandered it by attempting a lob that went comfortably into the arms of keeper Joel Wade.
The visitors came out of the break firing and finally found their second goal in the 50th minute after captain Grant Cornwall’s cross found Peacock in the box, the striker this time meeting the target as he struck the ball with composure into the bottom left.
Peacock soon made it three in the 66th minute after a rapid counter-attack saw Aiden Mostofi release a grounded ball across goal that the forward tapped in from point-blank range.
The Stallions sparked life into the contest with an instant reply, scoring their first just one minute later after they played a quick free kick.
Franco Maya received the ball at the right flank and sent a cross into substitute Amhad Elhelou who powered his headed effort into the back of the net.
Marconi had a strong chance to create a nervy finish for Spirit when they produced a rapid counter attack in the 85th minute that saw another chance fall for Elhelou, though he was unable to find the target as sent the ball over the bar.
The hosts kept striving to come back with centre half Anton Mlinaric nearly scoring in the 90+1st minute after drilling a shot towards the bottom right, though Bradie Smith produced a crucial block to preserve his side’s two-goal buffer.
NWS Spirit coach Sergio Malfara was full of praise for Marconi and the departing coaches in Tsekenis and post-match.
“They are a top side. Credit to Tsekenis and Papoythis for what they’ve done at the club.” Malfara told Football NSW.
Regarding his own team, the coach was left beaming with their display.
“We executed the game plan perfectly. Full credit to the players, to the staff, to everyone with the club because it’s been a big year and we’re not done yet.”
When asked about making it to the Prelims for the second year running, Malfara remarked:
“We’re ambitious. We want to win…I brought in winners, the players that stayed were winners and when you mix that with the staff that I brought in and myself who just love winning, I think it’s a good recipe for something special.”
Malfara stressed they will have to prepare differently for their next challenge, that being facing premiers APIA at their home on Sunday.
“Every game’s different. We will recover, prepare well and we’ll assess what that game might need. We’re just looking forward to another good game. We’re not done yet.”
Match Stats
Marconi Stallions 1 (Ahmad Elhelou 67’)
NWS Spirit 3 (Kosta Petratos 10’, Noah Peacock 50’, 66’)
Wednesday 2 September
Marconi Stadium
Referee: Hayden Langholz
Assistant Referees: Arinath Gobinath and Hayden Kaye
Fourth Official: Ivica Covic
Marconi Stallions: 1. Joel Wade, 2. Tyren Burnie, 4. Anton Mlinaric, 5. George Daniel (17. Sunday Yona 81’), 7. Franco Maya, 8. James Bayliss (21. Noah Anderson 56’), 9. Damian Tsekenis, 10. Marko Jesic (15. Aleksandar Duricic 56’), 11. Matej Busek (19. Ahmad Elhelou 64’), 14. Jack Armson, 23. Quinten Blair
Substitutes Not Used: 16. Luca Pecora, 20. Oliver Yates, 27. Antonio Marvello
Yellow Cards: Quinten Blair 36’, Jack Armson 62’
Red Cards: Nil
NWS Spirit: 12. Jay Coates, 2. Aiden Mostofi, 3. Kyah Williams (20. Tristan Hammond 68’), 4. Bradie Smith, 5. Owen Henderson, 6. Corey Kavanagh (25. Andre Takami 90+3’), 8. Grant Cornwell, 10. Kosta Petratos, 13. Simon Nicholas, 15. Sam Armson (19. Zayne Ahluwalia 68’), 21. Noah Peacock (34. Obinna Nwamadi 75’)
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Christopher Marques, 14. Benjamin Duroux, 32. Thomas Mason
Yellow Cards: Kyah Williams 59’, Jay Coates 89’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3: Grant Cornwall (NWS)
2: Noah Peacock (NWS)
1: Bradie Smith (NWS)
-By Dimitri Kallos
