Stallions brought back down to earth by plucky Sharks
The Marconi Stallions shared the points with relegation threatened Sutherland Sharks at Marconi Stadium on a cold Saturday night with the hosts ruining a missed opportunity to further stake their claim for a Premiership push.
Coming off a remarkable 9-0 midweek victory over league leaders Rockdale, Marconi were full of confidence, but the Sharks gave them a tough challenge in the action-packed match which stunned the hosts and brought them back down to earth.
Marconi took the lead early through Marko Jesic in the 8th minute, but Sutherland retaliated at the 26-minute mark through Matthew Moric.
Jay McGowan scored a stunner in the 34th minute to give Sutherland the advantage and a third came for the visitors in the 74th minute.
James Temelkovski was quick to get Marconi back into the match in the 77th minute and a penalty in the 94th minute saw him take his tally to two and even the scores at 3-3.
Neither team was able to gain the advantage, sharing points in a six-goal match.
Sutherland’s Takahide Umebachi kicked off the action in the 6th minute, taking a shot from the 18-yard box, however his effort was parried away by Marconi ‘keeper James Hilton.
Matthew Jackson pounced on the rebound but skied his effort over the crossbar.
Despite Sutherland’s early hunger, it was the hosts who managed to open the scoring in the 8th minute of the match through captain Jesic.
Domenic Costanzo maneuvered through the Sharks defence before sending the ball into the area for Jesic to tap in at close range.
Another chance came for the Stallions in the 13th minute as James Temelkovski beat Sutherland ‘keeper Nenad Vekic to the ball, shooting at an open goal, however Jacob Garner managed a crucial goal line clearance to keep the hosts out.
McGowan had an opportunity in the 23rd minute, shooting from range to Hilton who confidently collected.
Sutherland got themselves into the game in the 26th minute as McGowan played an overhead ball to Sciuriaga.
Sciuriaga then played Moric in a central position, who slid the ball into the netting to even the score.
Marconi were quick to try to get ahead again as Temelkovski created an opportunity in the following minutes, however his shot took a deflection from Garner.
An error from Franco Maya saw Sutherland with an opportunity in the 34th minute through McGowan.
Sciuriaga set up McGowan, who hit a sensational curling shot which managed to find the back of the net.
The visitors made their way into the sheds for the half-time break with a 2-1 advantage.
Costanzo came close in the 58th minute as he sent a shot towards the target, however Vekic managed to parry it away.
A foul on Maya by Sciuriaga gave the Stallions a chance again, with a free kick from a dangerous area.
Maya sent the ball towards Jesic in the area, but the skipper couldn’t meet its path.
Ahmed took the Sharks’ tally to three in the 74th minute.
A clearance from Cameron Windust fell into open space and Ahmed was quick to pounce on the opportunity, shooting from range to further extend the visitors lead.
Marconi didn’t let the goal get the best of them, netting their second of the match just minutes later.
Maya sent a left-footed cross into the area and met the head of Temlkovski, who nodded it home.
The score was almost even after an opportunity for Marconi in the 84th minute.
A ball into the area from Liam Youlley met substitute Aleksandar Duricic, who flicked it closer to the target.
Milislav Popovic then passed to Windust in front of the goalmouth, however an unfortunate touch saw it dribble out of play.
As Marconi continued to mount pressure in the final stages of the match, a handball from Moric inside the area saw the hosts gifted a penalty.
Temelkovski confidently stepped up to the spot and converted his penalty in the 94th minute to secure an equaliser for the Stallions.
Marconi hunted for a winner in the final moments but weren’t able to bring their efforts to fruition, with the game finishing up with a 3-3 draw.
Match Stats
Marconi Stallions 3 (Jesic 8’, Temelkovski 77’, 94’)
Sutherland Sharks FC 3 (Moric 26’, McGowan 34’, Ahmed 74’)
Saturday 22 July, 2024
Marconi Stadium, Bossley Park
Referee: Danny Horstead
Assistant Referees: Ethan Zvargulis and Hayden Michlmayr
Fourth Official: Blake Eastwood
Marconi Stallions: 1. James Hilton, 3. Cameron Windust (2. Nathan Millgate), 4. Anton Mlinaric (15. Aleksandar Duricic), 6. Domenic Costanzo (14. Dylan Susovic), 7. Franco Maya, 8. Daniel Bouman (34. Julian Monge), 9. James Temelkovski, 10. Marko Jesic (17. Milislav Popovic 63’), 16. Liam Youlley, 18. George Daniel, 23. Brandon Vella
Substitutes Not Used: 40. Patrick Williams
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Sutherland Sharks FC: 1. Nenad Vekic, 2. Kotaro Katsuta, 4. Mitchell Stamatellis, 5. Takahide Umebachi, 8. Mohamed Ahmed (3. Jordan Roberts 81’), 11. Jay McGowan, 15. Matthew Moric, 22. Jacob Garner, 23. Ethan Bevan, 27. Matthew Jackson, 77. Levi Sciuriaga (9. Maxx Green, 88’)
Substitutes Not Used: 6. Samuel Gulisano, 14. Chris Lindsay, 43. Ikko Ehode Arimoto, 99. Jacob Cremen-Cowan
Yellow Cards: Sciuriaga 60’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – James Temelkovski (MS)
2 – Jay McGowan (SS)
1 – Levi Sciuriaga (SS)
