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Sorry Stallions stunned by Hakoah

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Hakoah Sydney City East has snapped their horror nine game losing run with a hard fought 1-0 win against Marconi Stallions.

A 21st minute header from Dominic Cox was the difference for Hakoah as they upset an error prone Marconi side who are at a huge risk of missing out on finals football with their star studded line-up.

It was a massive result for the Eastern Suburbs based side as they battle against the odds to avoid the wooden spoon and relegation.

It could prove to be an equally big result for Marconi’s finals hopes with Peter Tsekenis’ star studded side once again under-performing.

The first salvo of the game was a corner that reached Mitchell Mallia in the box who fired his shot into the side netting in just the second minute of play.

Hakoah Sydney City East hit back in the 10th minute when Adrian Vranic was denied by Marconi shot stopper Nenad Vekic.

The home side opened their account in the 21st minute when Cox headed home a free-kick from Joshua Swadling after he was left dangerously unattended in the box.

Marconi had a chance a few minutes later when an in-swinging corner from Mallia reached Nathan Millgate but the latter only managed to direct his header wide of the mark.

In the 32nd minute Swadling, again with a free-kick, beat the wall but was denied by a diving Vekic who turned the ball around the post for a corner.

Just prior to the break the predicted Sydney downpour eventuated and Marconi in the haze almost equalised. Mallia fought hard and won the ball before finding James Andrew in a perfect position, who volleyed with intent and only just missed the goal.

After the break the first real chance fell to Hakoah Sydney City East. Cox perfectly played the ball through for Vranic and the Marconi defence, perhaps thinking that he was offside, allowed him a free-shot at goal from close range but luckily for the Stallions Vekic once again proved that he is a custodian of the highest calibre.

Vekic came to the rescue again in the 56th minute. A square ball from Vranic reached Harry Jones who blasted his attempt towards goal but was denied by the ever alert Marconi ‘keeper. It would have been the home side’s second and perhaps a bridge too far for Marconi to come back from.

The momentum was now well and truly with Hakoah. From nothing Swadling tried his luck from some distance but once again to prevent Hakoah doubling their lead it was Vekic at full stretch with a beautiful diving save.

By the 70th minute Marconi had cleared their bench with three second-half tactical substitutions as coach Peter Tsekenis decided to shuffle his deck of cards.

And, as the inconsistent rain returned with a vengeance, it was Roberto Speranza who fired for the visitors from well outside the box only to find the side netting.

Amaury Gauthier on the end of some router-one football found himself with a decent chance in the 81st minute but his volley skidded just wide of goal much to the relief of the Marconi defence.

The same player had almost the same chance a minute later but once again it was the same final result: Gautier volley and ball just to the right of the post.

After the game former Scotland international Gavin Rae, now coach of Hakoah, managed to smile.

“It has been a while since we won but it was a fantastic performance tonight from us,” he said.

“I am happy because the boys played really well from start to finish. We are a good team with good players, but to be in the position we are [on the ladder] is very disappointing.

“I am very proud of tonight’s performance because Marconi is a great team and this is definitely a great result for us which could have been more if we had have taken all of our chances.”

His counterpart Peter Tsekenis was clearly disappointed with his side.

“What is there to say besides the fact that it seemed to me that we didn’t really want to win it,” he said.

“I am disappointed with many aspects our game tonight but in the end it is about determination and that is maybe what we lacked. We are a good team that didn’t show it tonight and it was an opportunity lost.”

Match Stats 

HAKOAH SYDNEY CITY EAST: 1 (Cox 21’)

MARCONI STALLIONS: 0  

Sunday, 23rd June 2019

Hensley Athletic Field, Eastgardens 

Referee: Kurt Ams
Assistant Referees: Scott Edeling, Patrick Teleki

Fourth Official: Nick Kour

HAKOAH SYDNEY CITY EAST: 1.Ryan Norval, 2.Connor Shaddock, 5.Steve Katsionis, 6.Dominic Cox, 8.Oliver Green, 11.Jack Green, 12.Joshua Swadling (9. Shohei Okuna 87’), 13.Robert Ezekiel, 14.Jordan Koton, 17.Harry Jones, 23.Adrian Vranic (24.Amaury Gauthier 78’).

Substitutes not used: 25.Max Ephraim, 50.Zachary Sapsford, 60.Taka Noji.

Yellow Cards: Katsionis 83’, Koton 87’

Red Card: Nil

MARCONI STALLIONS: 1.Nenad Vekic, 2.Nathan Millgate, 3.Giorgio Speranza, 4.Roberto Speranza, 7.Sean O’Connell (28.Martin Fernandez 70’), 10.Marko Jesic, 11.Mitchell Mallia, 12.James Andrew, 16.Liam Youlley, 19.Zac Cairncross (13.Yianni Nicolaou 62’), 23.Brandon Vella (20.Richie Cardozo 59’).

Substitutes not used: 14.Peter Pelekanos, 17.Kristian Sekutkoski.

Yellow Cards: Cairncross 38’, Cardozo 92’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings have now been hidden due to the second half of the season commencing.

By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Joe Russo

Manly edge past hot and cold Stallions

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A Charles Mendy strike in first-half stoppage time proved decisive as Manly United edged out Marconi Stallions 1-0 at Cromer Park on Sunday afternoon.

In a fiery affair, the visitors will be left scratching their heads as to how they emerged empty-handed following the raft of opportunities they forged throughout the ninety.

Despite James Andrew and last week’s hat-trick hero Mitch Mallia giving Manly some early defensive headaches, the solitary goal of the match arrived courtesy of a former Stallion Charles Mendy deep into first-half added time.

A tense second stanza ultimately saw the scoresheet remain as it were, allowing for a courageous Manly performance to earn them a valuable three points in the race for the top 5.

Manly created the first clear sight on goal 17 minutes in, as Brendon Cholakian’s curling free kick was denied spectacularly by Nenad Vekic.

Three minutes later, Marconi found themselves within inches of breaking the deadlock as Mallia released a venomous strike from outside the area that grazed the crossbar.

Alongside speedy winger James Andrew, Mallia was central to the visitors’ first-half attacking forays but his 37th and 41st minute efforts both narrowly cleared Dylan Mitchell’s crossbar.

Mitchell was called into action on 39 minutes, and he reacted well to palm Nathan Millgate’s threatening header to safety.

Then despite looking to finish the opening stanza in the ascendancy, Marconi were hit with a sucker-punch with virtually the last kick of the half.

A precise low cross from Adam Parkhouse played in Charles Mendy on the six-yard box, who made no mistake with a neat finish into the bottom right corner.

The second half saw Marconi throw everything at Manly’s stern defensive unit, to no avail.

On 64 minutes, Marco Jesic’s deflected set-piece sailed painfully wide of the post past a helpless wrong-footed Mitchell.

Manly’s best shot at extending their advantage arrived two minutes later as Adam Parkhouse sprung the Stallion’s offside trap to find himself through on goal, but the former A-League flyer blazed his effort over the bar.

Peter Tsekenis tried everything to break Manly down, including the introductions of Martin Fernandez and one-time Manly marksman Richie Cardozo.

The former so nearly had the desired impact with his first intervention, as he took off on a mazy run to find himself through on goal but directed his shot past the wrong side of the post.

Giorgio Speranza almost stole a point with two minutes remaining but his shot was straight at the goalkeeper, ensuring Marconi were resigned to a bitterly disappointing defeat.

Stallions boss Peter Tsekenis reflected this sentiment post-game:

“It was very frustrating,” he reflected.

“Conceding a goal just before half time the way we did.

“They took one of their chances and we couldn’t take any of ours.

“I can’t recall many other chances they had, so I am just frustrated.”

In contrast, Paul Dee was elated that his side held firm to secure all three points.

“It was a tight game,” the Manly coach said.

“I am very pleased that we created enough good chances to score.

“We were resolute in defence and held strong, so that was very pleasing.

“There are a lot of good teams in this competition that would have ambitions to play top five.

“We just need to make sure that we apply ourselves like today every single game.

“We need to take it one game at a time and make sure we do our best to get maximum points every single week in such a tight competition.”

Match Stats

Manly United FC 1 (Mendy 45+1’)

Marconi Stallions FC 0

Sunday 16th June, 2019

Cromer Park, Dee Why

Referee: J. Lewis

Assistant Referees: S. Brennan, J. Park

Fourth Official: L. Cole

Manly United: 1. Dylan Mitchell, 2. Kieran Paull, 4. Travis Oughtred. 5. Sam Gallagher, 8. Dominic Ferguson 10. Brendan Cholakian, 11. Adam Parkhouse (6. Joseph Fox 90’), 12. Charles Mendy (14. Dejan Pandurevic 69’), 13. Scott Balderson (22. Jamie Glover 77’), 17. Lewis Miccio, 23. Bradley McDonald

Substitutes not used: 7. Sam Wilson, 40. Ryan Baker

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil

Marconi Stallions: 1. Nenad Vekic, 2. Nathan Millgate, 3. Giorgio Speranza, 4. Roberto Speranza, 7. Sean O’Connell (16. Liam Youlley 73’), 10. Marko Jesic, 11. Mitchell Mallia, 12. James Andrew, 13. Yianni Nicolaou (28. Martin Fernandez 68’), 19. Zac Cairncross (20. Richard Cardozo 78’), 23. Brandon Vella

Substitutes not used: 14. Peter Pelekanos, 17. Kristian Sekutkoski

Yellow Cards: Yianni Nicolaou 33’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings have now been hidden due to the second half of the season commencing.

PHOTO BY NICK GUOTH

By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Reporter Chris Curulli (Twitter handle @ChrisCurulli)

 

Mallia hat-trick buries Sky Blues

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A Mitch Mallia hat trick has helped Marconi Stallions to a dominant 5-2 win against Sydney FC at Marconi Stadium on Sunday. 

Mallia was at his devastating best scoring twice in the first half and again in the third as the Stallions scored five goals for the second straight week.

The former Blacktown City star gave Marconi a perfect start with goals in the 16th and the 36th as they claimed a 2-0 lead at the interval.

The home side went from strength to strength in the second stanza as Mallia snatched his third before James Andrew and Damian Tsekenis also found the back of  the net.

Sydney FC claimed two goals in the second half but they proved to be mere consolation as a rampant Marconi outfit claimed their second win in as many weeks.

Sydney FC thought they had taken an early lead when Hamish Lamberton found the back of the net, however he was ruled to be offside.

In the 11th minute James Andrew forced a great save from young Sky Blues shot stopper Adam Pavlesic

A long range free-kick from Teague for Sydney FC didn’t miss the target by too much in the 15th minute as the ball sailed over the crossbar by a fine margin.

Marconi replied almost immediately and struck the lead a minute later. A long ball forward bounced awkwardly but Mallia was able to place it neatly into the far bottom corner of the net.

An effort from Liam Youlley soon after nearly made it two in quick succession but Pavlesic was able to turn it around the post.

Marconi found their second in the 36th minute with Mallia volleying past the keeper after a long throw in from Marko Jesic.

In the second stanza of play Marconi scored two goals in the first two minutes of play to virtually kill off the contest.

The first goal was a penalty which was duly awarded to the Stallions after Patrick Scibilio brought Mallia down in the box.

Mallia made no mistake from the spot to score his and his team’s third of the afternoon.

A mere 30 seconds later a long Zac Cairncross ball found James Andrew sprinting towards goal and with, all the calmness of a true professional, he drove the ball home past Pavlesic to make it four for the home side.

In the 52nd minute Andrew again was in the thick of the action and this time it was with a wonderful volley from short range that brought out the best in Pavlesic who saved instinctively to deny Marconi their fifth.

Sydney FC struck back in the 56th minute with a long range effort from Harry Van Der Saag. It had too much power on it and the ball end up directly in the back of the net before anyone had time to really notice.

In the 81st minute Marconi made it five when Damian Tsekenis capped off his debut with a classy chipped finish to score.

Benjamin Koop scored late on for Sydney FC with a tap in from close range.

Marconi boss Peter Tsekenis praised his side’s ruthless attack.

“It has been a big week and definitely goal scoring is not a problem for the boys,” he said.

“I am a bit disappointed that we have leaked some goals but sometimes when you are scoring, you take a risk and concede some too.

“Sydney FC is a young side that had nothing to lose but I am very happy with our young boys and they did a job both midweek and today.”

Sydney FC coach Jim Van Weeren accepted the defeat as a lesson for his squad.

“Early in the second half was a big learning moment for our young players and we got caught switching off,” he said.

“Even though we lost 5-2, the pleasing part was that we could have scored some more ourselves. It was an entertaining game today but now we’ll move one and prepare for another tough test against Wollongong next week .”

Match Stats

MARCONI STALLIONS: 5 (Mallia 16’, 36’ & 47’, Andrew 48’, Tsekenis 81’)

SYDNEY FC: 2 (Van Der Saag 56’, Koop 82’) 

Sunday, 9th June 2019

Marconi Stadium,

Referee: Ben Abraham
Assistant Referees: Brad Wright, Nathan Walton

Fourth Official: Sebastian Andrews 

MARCONI STALLIONS: 1.Nenad Vekic, 2.Nathan Millgate, 3.Giorgio Speranza, 4.Roberto Speranza, 7.Sean O’Connell, 10.Marko Jesic (40.Damian Tsekenis 74’), 11.Mitchell Mallia, 12.James Andrew (14.Peter Pelekanos 68’), 13.Yianni Nicolaou, 16.Liam Youlley (23.Brandon Vella 62’), 19.Zac Cairncross.

Substitutes not used: 17.Kristian Sekutkoski, 28.Martin Fernandez.

Yellow Cards: Cairncross 86’

Red Card: Nil

SYDNEY FC: 30.Adam Pavlesic, 3.Benjamin Van Meurs, 5.Patrick Scibilio (34.Callum Nieuwenhof 82’), 6.Harry Van Der Saag, 9.Hamish Lamberton (24.Jake Hollman 65’), 12.Giuseppe Tilio, 14.Thomas Fay, 15.Ryan Teague, 16.Paolo Bonanni (54.Anton Minaric 61’), 17.Callum Talbot, 18.Benjamin Koop.

Substitutes not used: 20.David Malishev, 23.Harry McCarthy. 

Yellow Cards: Teague 84’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings have now been hidden due to the second half of the season commencing. 

By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Joe Russo 

Zach Duncan signs for Stallions

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Former Brisbane Roar young gun Zach Duncan has penned a mid-season National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s deal for the remainder of the season with the Marconi Stallions.

Having made four appearances for the Brisbane Roar’s senior team this season, the 18-year-old midfielder saw the Stallions move as an ideal opportunity for more senior game time as well as keeping him match fit.

The talented midfielder was part of the Championship winning Brisbane Roar Youth team that beat Western Sydney Wanderers 3-1 in the 2019 Youth League Grand Final.

It will be a case of back to where it all started for Duncan. He was a Marconi Junior (Under 12’s) in 2012. He later played Junior Football with Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers.

The Marayong born player is set to make his debut with the Stallions this Saturday evening against Sydney FC at Marconi Stadium.

Stallions spoil Suns parade with five-star performance

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Marconi Stallions has flexed their attacking muscle in a comprehensive 5-2 thrashing of Rockdale City Suns at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.

The win broke a four game losing streak for the Stallions and keeps their hopes of finals football alive.

It seemed like it was going to be Rockdale’s afternoon when Jordan Figon and Idris El Hafiane gave the home side a 2-0 lead inside the opening 15 minutes.

However, a first half brace to Mitch Mallia turned the game on its head with Marconi racing away with a valuable three points after scoring three goals in the second half.

Marconi move to seventh on the table with the win while Rockdale drop out of the top five into sixth.

Rockdale started strongly when Jonathan Grozdanovski spurned a chance in front of goal after only four minutes.

It didn’t take long for the Suns to hit the target when Figon pounced on a fumbled save from Nenad Vekic to open Rockdale’s account for a 1-0 lead.

Two minutes later and it was two to the home side. An Urosevski free-kick was beautifully turned in by Idris El Hafiane with a diving header low down to the ground and there was nothing that a diving Vekic could do between the sticks.

Marconi struck back in the 22nd minute when Mitchell Mallia was gifted the ball and consequently the goal. A Marconi cross by James Andrew was deflected by Rockdale defender Brayden Sorge into the path of the unsuspecting Mallia who, from close range,  knocked the ball over the line.

Marconi found an equaliser in the 31st minute when a marvelous ball from Richie Cardozo found an unmarked Mallia who headed home with aplomb.

Marconi thought that they had their third in the 37th minute when a Mallia ball into the box found Marko Jesic, but he was judged to have controlled the ball with his hand before guiding it into the net.

In the second stanza of the play the first real chance arrived in the 50th minute when a Marko Jesic free-kick to James Andrew at the near post was deflected just wide for a corner.

Nathan Millgate was on the receiving end of a perfect through ball shortly afterwards, but his shot was ever so slightly deflected and finished over the crossbar.

From the ensuing corner  the ball made its way to Jesic who forced it into the back of the net and Marconi finally had the lead that they so craved for the first time in the game.

In the 59th minute Andrew appeared to be tripped from behind by Sorge in the penalty box but the referee waved play on, much to the displeasure of the Marconi bench.

A minute or so later the game was held up by an unsavory incident, involving the crowd and some players who traded barbs from close range near the sideline. When the dust settled, Figon received a yellow card from the referee for his troubles.

In the 63rd minute Jesic from very close range had his shot blocked by Bradasevic after being on the receiving end of a pin-point accurate corner as Marconi pressed hard for a fourth goal.

It duly arrived in the 79th minute when a corner was partially cleared and the ball, resembling a ping-pong, went back and forth until Roberto Speranza put his foot through it and drove it hard into the back of the net.

Marconi made it five in the 87th minute courtesy of Andrew. His run paved the way but his first shot was partially blocked, until he regathered with his second attempt and beat the desperate diving defence.

After the game Marconi Stallions coach Peter Tsekenis admitted he was relieved his side found a way back after going down 2-0 in the early stages.

“The way things have been going for us and to be down 2-0 gave me a scare but to be honest, I really thought that today was going to be a turning point for us,” he said.

“We have had a big week and I told them [our players] that today we could turn our season around.

“The players delivered and they were really unbelievably good. We should have been in the lead even in the first half but we had a goal disallowed for hand ball.

“We finished the first half well and then we continued on in the second half. We had Rockdale rattled. They are a very good side especially here at home, so I am very happy and I believe that today’s result is start for us in getting our season back on track.”

Rockdale City Suns coach Nick Porreca on the other hand was left trying to explain how a two-goal lead had slipped away.

“I think the boys just came out of the box a little bit slower in the second half and then we started to chase the game,” he said.

“When you start chasing games it either goes good for you or bad for you, and this one went bad for us unfortunately.

“Defensively we were caught probably ball watching for Marconi’s first two goals and that put us on the back foot a bit. It’s disappointing to lose because we have been training very, very well and the boys have been putting in so much hard work.”

 Match Stats

Rockdale City Suns: 2 (Figon 10’, El Hafiane 12’)

Marconi Stallions: 5 (Mallia 22’ & 31’. Jesic 55’, R.Speranza 79’, Andrew 87’)

Sunday, 2 June 2019

Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale

Referee: A. Arndt
Assistant Referees: M. McOrist, C. Wright

Fourth Official: K. Hockings

ROCKDALE CITY SUNS: 1.David Bradesevic, 2.Daniel Petkovski, 7.Alec Urosevski, 8.Aleksandar Canak, 9.Jordan Grozdanovski, 11.Leigh Egger (17.Matthew Lecce 84’), 12.Idris El Hafiane, 14.Brayden Sorge, 18.Sasa Macura, 19.Patrick Savor (3.Mick Neill 74’), 45.Jordan Figon.

Substitutes not used: 15.Nic Petrillo, 20.Howard Fondyke, 22.Max Rowston

Yellow Cards: Macura 53’, Figon 62’

Red Cards: Nil

MARCONI STALLIONS: 1.Nenad Vekic, 2.Nathan Millgate, 3.Giorgio Speranza, 4.Roberto Speranza, 7.Sean O’Connell, 10.Marko Jesic, 11.Mitchell Mallia (14.Peter Pelekanos 83’), 12.James Andrew, 19.Zac Cairncross (13.Yianni Nicolaou 84’), 20. Richie Cardozo (28.Martin Fernandez 44’), 23.Brandon Vella.

Substitutes not used: 5.James Baldacchino, 17.Kristian Sekutkoski

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Card: Nil

Player Ratings

3 -Mitchell Mallia (MS)

2 -Roberto Speranza (MS)

1 -James Andrew (MS)

By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Joe Russo