Six-Goal Spectacle Ends in Marconi Comeback Glory
Marconi Stallions produced one of the performances of the season, storming back from two goals down to claim a stunning 4-2 victory over a valiant Sutherland Sharks side at Seymour Shaw Park, as the home side let a two-goal lead slip in dramatic fashion.
A bumper crowd turned out to witness the clash, with the Stallions knowing a win could send them to the top of the league — at least overnight — but it was Sutherland who struck first inside 10 minutes. Richard Shoueiki beat the offside trap before coolly slotting past Joel Wade, then produced a moment of brilliance just minutes later, spotting the goalkeeper off his line and lobbing home from an acute angle to double the lead.
From there, however, Marconi mounted a remarkable response.
Anton Mlinaric halved the deficit just before the break, while Franco Maya brought the visitors level early in the second half with a superbly taken strike. The momentum had firmly shifted, and Marconi weren’t done yet. Teng Kuol gave the Stallions the lead, before substitute Sunday Yona and Damien Tsekenis combined to put the result beyond doubt late on.
Earlier, Shoueiki’s opener came after he powered through on goal and picked his spot with authority, but his second — just three minutes later — was even better. With only a slight glimpse of Wade off his line, he executed a perfectly weighted lob that sailed into the net. It was a finish full of confidence, awareness, and class — one that brought the home crowd to life.
Marconi had shown early attacking intent themselves, with Damien Tsekenis nearly opening the scoring inside 30 seconds before being flagged offside. Teng Kuol also came close shortly after, only to be denied by a brilliant point-blank save from Danijel Nizic, who threw himself across goal to keep the Sharks in front during a frantic goalmouth scramble.
But after weathering early pressure, Sutherland struck twice in quick succession to take control — only for Marconi to steadily work their way back into the contest.
Their breakthrough came late in the first half, as Mlinaric ghosted into space to finish from a free-kick delivery, reducing the deficit and giving the visitors belief heading into the break.
The second half opened up, with both sides creating half-chances, but it was Marconi who seized control. Playing with a high press and relentless intent, they began to pin Sutherland back, and the equaliser felt inevitable.
It arrived through Maya, whose delightful left-footed strike left Nizic with no chance, levelling the match and swinging momentum completely in Marconi’s favour.
With confidence surging, the Stallions pushed forward. Maya continued to threaten, while Marko Jesic tested Nizic with a dangerous free-kick that the goalkeeper did well to handle despite an awkward bounce.
The decisive moment soon followed. Kuol rose to meet a Maya free-kick and found the net, completing the comeback and capping off a remarkable turnaround that left the Sharks stunned.
Sutherland pushed forward in search of a response, but in doing so left themselves exposed. In the final minute, substitute Sunday Yona broke forward and set up Tsekenis, who emphatically thumped home Marconi’s fourth to seal a famous victory.
From two goals down to a commanding 4-2 win, it was a performance full of character, quality, and belief — one that firmly stamps Marconi as genuine contenders.
Match Stats
Sutherland Sharks 2 (Richard Shoueiki 10’, 13’)
Marconi Stallions 4 (Anton Mlinaric 42’, Franco Maya 62’ Teng Kuol 73’, Damien Tsekenis 90’)
Seymour Shaw Park, Miranda
Saturday, 2nd May, 2026
Referee: Stephen Lucas
Assistants: Matthew Harris & Joshua Kermond
Fourth Official: Ryan Hinteregger
Sutherland Sharks: 1. Danijel Nizic, 2. Lachlan Macdonald, 4. Thijs Van Amerongen, 5. Jordan Perez, 7. Takumi Ofuka (30. Julian Fedele 82’), 8. Brendan Gan, 10. Tariq Maia, 14. Yuto Kokuryo, 15. Jamie Percevski, 17. Richard Shoueiki (22. Tye McGowan 72’), 21. Nicholas Olsen
Subs Not Used: 12. James Husoy, 18. Gian Fiorese, 23. Lachlan Maher, 30. Julian Fedele, 36. Thomas O’Brien, 40. Luke Webber
Yellow Cards: Jamie Percevski 45’, Yuto Kokuryo 71’) Red Cards: Nil
Marconi Stallions: 1. Joel Wade, 2. Tyren Burnie, 4. Anton Mlinaric, 5. George Daniel, 6. Teng Kuol, 7. Franco Maya Valiente (17. Sunday Yona 82’), 9. Damian Tsekenis, 10. Marco Jesic, 11 Matej Busek, 14.Jack Armson, 23. Quinten Blair
Subs Not Used. 3. Cameron Windust, 8. Adam Bugarija, 19. Pearson Kasawaya, 20. Oliver Yates, 21. Noah Anderson, 27. Antonio Marvello
Yellow Cards: Jack Armson 79’, Damien Tsekenis 81’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Franco Maya (MS)
2 – Teng Kuol (MS)
1 – Damien Tsekenis (MS)
By NPL NSW Men’s Reporter Micky Brock
