Marconi continues Premiership push with gutsy win over UNSW

The Marconi Stallions have continued their Premiership charge with a strong 1-0 win over ten-man UNSW at Marconi Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The only goal of the game came in the 27th minute when Oliver Puflett tried to clear a Franco Maya corner but steered the ball into his own net.

Despite the game producing just a single goal, there was no shortage of entertainment and drama throughout.

A red card to Antony Barbic in the 59th minute sparked the contest into an attacking frenzy and left the fans with a tantalising finish.

After a flurry of chances for both sides in the final half hour, no one was able to find the back of the net, as Marconi held on for a 1-0 win.

It was a relatively tame and even opening to the contest, with both sides content with knocking the ball around the park.

The first real chance of the game fell to Marconi’s Jack Armson, who narrowly dragged his shot wide in the third minute.

UNSW looked up to the task of matching it with the league leaders – holding a solid defensive line that was tested on many occasions.

Marconi turned the tide around the 20-minute mark – beginning to dictate the flow of the game and have the majority of attacking chances.

Maya had an excellent chance to find the opener, but his half volley from close distance sailed over the bar.

Matej Busek had a golden chance moments after, as a perfect ball from Teng Kuol sent him through on goal, only for his effort to hit the side netting.

Marconi finally cracked open the UNSW defence in the 27th minute after a cross from Franco Maya was inadvertently headed in by Puflett.

It was a well-deserved opener for the Stallions – who continued to apply more pressure as the half progressed.

The hosts started off the second half in a similar manner, repeatably testing the UNSW defence.

George Daniel was the first to test Tristan Prendergast in the second half, as his long-range effort forced an exceptional save from the UNSW keeper.

The game shifted significantly moments before the hour mark when Anthony Barbic was shown a straight red card for taking down Damien Tsekenis in a last-man challenge.

Despite being reduced to ten men, the red card seemed to galvanise the Students as Jyden Harb began to have his impact felt on the game.

The star attacker showcased his range, first testing Joel Wade with an audacious long-range effort before forcing the keeper to work again from a free kick.

Marconi missed a golden chance to seal the win when Sunday Yona played it to an unmarked Maya at the back post, but he couldn’t hit the target with the goal gaping.

Barely a minute later, Tsekenis was played in one-on-one with Prendergast, but just like Maya, his effort whistled past the target.

Speaking after the game, Marconi coach Peter Tsekenis revealed he was proud of the football his side produced but admitted it could’ve been a bigger win.

“We played some really good football, on another day that scoreline blows out, we got into good moments but just didn’t take our chances,” he said.

“There was only one clear team out on the park, in my opinion. When you look at the scoreline you think it’s closer than it should’ve been and that’s the truth, but I was happy with the way we played.”

UNSW coach Gabe Knowles remained positive despite the result, but opened up on where he thought it went wrong for his side.

“We weren’t at our best in the first half, I think it took us a little bit too long to get up to speed with the surface, but after that we grew into it more in the second half,” he said.

“I thought we were slightly unlucky to not to be able to grab something, but by the same token we left the back door open and they had their chances, it’s a disappointing outcome but we’ll keep moving forward.”

Match Stats

Marconi Stallions 1 (Puflett OG 27’)

UNSW FC 0

Marconi Stadium, Bossley Park

Sunday, 21st June 2026

Referee: Mikayla Ryan

Assistants: Liam Smith & Arinath Gobinath

Fourth Official: Alexandar Zastavnikovic

Marconi Stallions: 1. Joel Wade, 2. Tyren Burnie, 4. Anton Mlinaric, 5. George Daniel, 6. Teng Kuol (3. Cameron Windust 62’), 7. Franco Maya, 9. Damian Tsekenis, 10. Marco Jesic (17. Sunday Yona 87’), 11 Matej Busek, 14. Jack Armson, 23. Quinten Blair

Subs Not Used: 12. Julian Monge, 16. Luca Pecora, 27. Antonio Marvello.

Yellow Cards: Burnie 69’, Jesic 87’

Red Cards: Nil

UNSW FC:  1. Tristian Prendergast, 2. Timothy Wohlfiel (5. Claudio Fabiano 90+3’), 3. Emilio Vinci (16. Kai Kakimura 76’), 4. Liam Wood, 6. Grant Lynch, 9. Kevin Lopes (11. Jack Fulton 66’),17. Jyden Harb, 18. Conor Quilligan, 19. Oliver Pufflet (15. Corby Fowler 66’), 20. Anthony Barbic, 21. Alexander Malfara (37. Rufus McGuinness 66’)

Subs not used: 12. Cassius Flavell, 22. Gil Duffy,

Yellow Cards: Malfara 42’, Wood 87’

Red Cards: Barbic 58’

Player Ratings

3 – George Daniel (MS)

2 – Quinten Blair (MS)

1 – Anton Mlinaric (MS)

-By Dom Criniti