Marconi Hold Firm After Late Penalty Drama
Marconi Stallions icon Marko Jesic celebrated his 300th match with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Blacktown City at Landen Stadium.
Marconi started strongly and were largely dominant from the opening whistle, with the Blacktown defence doing well early to hold firm.
The visitors created their first chance in the third minute when Matej Busek delivered a dangerous free kick, but it was comfortably dealt with by the Blacktown defence.
Jack Armson looked lively for Marconi in the opening stages, coming close in the seventh minute with a long-range effort that drifted wide.
Busek again threatened five minutes later with another crisp free kick, but there were no Marconi players on hand to convert the delivery.
Blacktown’s Lachlan Tilt received the first booking of the match after pulling back a charging Busek as the Stallions continued to apply pressure.
Despite creating several chances, Marconi did not find the breakthrough until the 28th minute. A superb cross from Busek found the head of Damian Tsekenis, whose effort deflected off a Blacktown defender before flying past goalkeeper Cayden Henderson to give the Stallions the lead.
Marconi maintained much of the possession for the remainder of the half, though Blacktown still managed to threaten through set pieces and quick counter-attacks.
Maksim Jez came agonisingly close to equalising when he missed a near-open goal, his effort skimming the outside of the post as the midfielder held his head in disbelief.
Blacktown returned after the break with greater intensity, although both sides were patient in building their attacks early in the second half.
Tyren Burnie combined well with Luca Pecora to create an early opportunity for Marconi, but the chance went narrowly wide.
Blacktown captain Travis Major also had a promising opportunity from a cross, but his shot drifted wide before the offside flag was raised.
Major was soon back at the other end defending a dangerous Marconi corner as the visitors grew increasingly frustrated at not extending their lead despite creating numerous chances.
The match took a dramatic turn in the 79th minute when Marconi’s Anton Mlinaric received his second yellow card, reducing the visitors to 10 men for the closing stages.
Blacktown pushed forward with urgency after gaining the numerical advantage, with substitute Caleb Jackson-Brown heavily involved as the home side searched for an equaliser.
Five minutes of stoppage time were added, and Blacktown continued to attack relentlessly.
Their biggest chance came when Sunday Yona went down inside the Marconi penalty area, prompting referee Eric Saba to point to the spot.
Teng Kuol stepped up to take the penalty, but his effort was weak and comfortably saved by Henderson, preserving Marconi’s narrow lead.
Moments later the final whistle sounded, with Marconi securing a 1–0 victory to mark Jesic’s milestone appearance.
Match Stats
Blacktown City FC 0
Marconi Stallions FC 1 (Damian Tsekenis 28’)
Sunday 15 March, 2026
Landen Stadium
Referee: Eric Saba
Assistant Referees: Arinath Gobinath and Liam Smith
Fourth Official: Adam Maher
Blacktown City FC: 1. Cayden Henderson, 3. Lachlan Tilt (22. Jacob Maniti 45’), 4. Nicholas O’Brien, 6. Adam Berry, 7. Travis Major (c), 9. Nikola Skataric (16. Riley Nolan 83’), 10. Maksim Jez, 11. Kodai Tanaka (17. Julian Rodriguez 88’), 14. Mitchell Mallia (15. Caleb Jackson-Brown 83’), 23. Jett Long (18. Jake Briggs 76’), 27. Nathan Grimaldi
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Cooper Rogers, 21. Aiden Renshaw
Yellow Cards: Lachlan Tilt 17’, Maksim Jez 86’
Red Cards: None
Marconi Stallions FC: 1. Joel Wade, 2. Tyren Burnie, 4. Anton Mlinaric, 5. George Daniel, 6. Teng Kuol, 9. Damian Tsekenis (21. Noah Anderson 90’), 10. Marko Jesic (3. Cameron Windust 81’), 11. Matej Busek (17. Sunday Yona 93’), 14. Jack Armson, 16. Luca Pecora, 23. Quinten Blair
Substitutes Not Used: 7. Franco Maya, 8. Adam Bugarija, 18. Dimi Petratos, 20. Oliver Yates (GK)
Yellow Cards: Anton Mlinaric 33’
Red Cards: Anton Mlinaric 80’
Player Ratings
3 – Jack Armson (Marconi Stallions FC)
2 – Maksim Jez (Blacktown City FC)
1 – Tyren Burnie (Marconi Stallions FC)
By Katrina May
