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Round 3 – NPL NSW Men’s Preview

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Two rounds of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Competition are in the book and things are only going to heat up even more when with this weekend’s round three action get’s underway on Saturday night.

Wollongong Wolves have had a perfect start under new boss Luke Wilkshire and are shock ladder leaders with two wins from two matches.

This weekend they will be out to make it three from three when they travel to take on a Sydney United 58 side who would love nothing more than to end the Wolves streak.

Saturday night will feature three matches headlined by Sutherland Sharks hosting APIA Leichhardt Tigers.

There will also be three matches on Sunday as reigning premiers Sydney Olympic host Blacktown City, while Hakoah Sydney City East travel to Rockdale.

If the first two weeks are anything to go by it is sure to be another blockbuster round of action.

 

Sutherland Sharks v APIA Leichhardt Tigers, 6.30pm Saturday at Seymour Shaw.

Sutherland Sharks will be determined to prove last week’s shock loss was a rare lapse and not a sign of things to come when they host APIA Leichhardt Tigers at Seymour Shaw on Saturday.

The Sharks made a fast start to the 2019 season with a stunning 1-0 win on the road against reigning premiers Sydney Olympic, but a loss to Hakoah Sydney City East last week was a sudden crash back to earth for the boys from the Shire.

Coach Terry Palapanis will be looking to Marc Warren to help marshall the defence as he did in week one, while the combination between Spanish midfield duo Juan and Raul Romero with Jeremy Cox up front will be the cornerstone of Sutherland’s attack.

Their opponents APIA Leichhardt Tigers come into the game with a similar point to prove.

John Calleja’s side was on the wrong side of a 3-0 thumping from Wollongong and are driven to bounce back in quick fashion.

New signing Chris Payne is hoping he can kick start his goal scoring tally with his new club against the Sharks after he had a number of flawed changes in the team’s humbling 3-0 loss to the Wollongong Wolves last Sunday.

Aside from Payne, Calleja is hoping his defence will keep it water tight as they were in 2018 so expect big games from Themba Muata Marlow and Josh Symons while expect the return from suspension of Paul Galimi to hype up his troops.

Early season results are important in setting the standard for the year ahead so expect nothing less than an all out grudge match when these sides face off.

 

Sydney FC v Marconi Stallions, 7pm Saturday at Lambert Park

Sydney FC have proven in the first two rounds they are no easy beats and they will be out to emphasise that with a win against Marconi Stallions on Saturday night at Lambert Park.

A hard fought 1-1 draw against Manly United in week two was a solid follow up from the young Sky Blue’s 2-1 win against Hakoah in week one as last season’s wooden spooners show they have come a long way.

One player that made the headlines was striker Hamish Lamberton.

Dubbed scoring a “Messi” like goal against Manly United, he will hope he can make it two from two with the clash against the winless Stallions.

Skipper Liam McGing has shown that he is one of the most consistent defenders in the NPL competition and will need to be at his very best in marshalling the Stallions attack.

The game will be a must win for Marconi who have had a horror start to the campaign with back to back defeats in their opening two games.

Stung 1-0 by APIA in week one, Marconi suffered a 2-1 defeat at home against Rockdale City Suns in their next fixture.

For a side featuring the attacking talents of Mirjan Pavlovic, James Andrew, Mitch Mallia, Anthony Frangie, Richie Cardozo and Marko Jesic goals shouldn’t be hard to come by.

Expect the Peter Tsekenis coached side to throw everything at Sydney FC in search of their first points of the season, a loss could really put pressure however on the side.

 

Manly United v Mt Druitt Town Rangers, 7pm Saturday at Cromer Park

A maiden win for the 2019 season will be on the cards when Manly United and Mt Druitt Town Rangers face off at Cromer Park on Saturday.

Sydney’s recent wild weather has meant the round three fixture has become a home game for Manly with Mt Druitt’s Popondetta Park still recovering from the heavy rain.

Manly will be out to make the most of the unexpected return to Cromer and claim all three points after last week being held by Sydney FC 1-1.

Sam Gallagher found the back of the net for Paul Dee’s Manly side for the second successive week and will be out to continue his impressive start to the campaign.

The pressure will also be on Manly’s attacking stars of Brendan Cholakian, Dejan Pandurevic and Adam Parkhouse to make the most of their chances after being some what stifled by the Young Sky Blues in round two.

Mt Druitt come into the match after an impromptu week off after their game against Sydney Olympic last week was washed out.

The long break between their 1-0 opening round loss to local rivals Blacktown City has given them time to regroup as they set out for their first win in the NSW state league top flight since earning promotion.

Despite the loss against Blacktown, Mt Druitt didn’t look out of place and hopefully Toufic Alameddine and Adrian Vranic can fire to help the Rangers on the scoresheet.

It is sure to be an exciting clash with both teams desperate to notch their first three points of the season.

 

Sydney Olympic v Blacktown City, 4pm Sunday at Belmore Sports Ground

Reinging National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Premiers Sydney Olympic will be hoping to kick-start their campaign with a win against Blacktown City this Sunday.

A shock round one loss to Sutherland Sharks and then a washed out match last week has made it a frustrating opening two weeks to the season for Olympic.

Hagi Gligor was a standout despite his side’s defeat in week one, while Alejandro Sanchez will be determined to carry the weight of Olympic’s attack with a bounce back performance of his own.

For Blacktown City it has been a mixed start to the campaign.

A narrow win against Mt Druitt in week one provided positive signs but City were unable to back up as they suffered a 1-0 loss to Sydney United 58 last week.

It is a season of transition for Mark Crittenden’s side this year after the departure of a number of his former stars and the veteran coach will need to show his best work to get his new squad firing.

Devante Clut has been a standout for Blacktown while new signing Leroy Jennings impressed in the round one win.

Skipper Matthew Lewis is hoping his experience can steer his young chargers towards the three points so expect plenty of excitement in this clash.

 

Rockdale City Suns v Hakoah Sydney City East, 4.30pm Sunday at Ilinden Sports Centre

Rockdale City Suns will be hoping to keep their unbeaten streak alive when they host Hakoah Sydney City East this Sunday.

Paul Reid’s side have shown why they will be a team to watch out for this season with two solid results to start the season including last week’s 2-1 win on the road against Marconi Stallions.

Big name star Panny Nikas has slowly worked his way into the team after returning from a serious knee injury and scored his maiden goal for his new club last week.

Matthew Lecce, a former Wanderer, has arguably been the club’s best performer in the two games played and the young gun is hoping to put in another huge performance against Hakoah.

Last round Hakoah showed a tonne of heart to win 1-0 against Sutherland Sharks.

The Eastern Suburbs based side had a tough defeat in week one but a courageous performance from shot stopper Ryan Norval and an impressive goal from Jack Green helped the Gavin Rae coached side claim all three points.

Rae will want his side to show that same spirit this week as they take on the biggest test they have faced this season so far.

 

Sydney United 58 v Wollongong Wolves, 5pm Sunday at Sydney United Sports Centre

Sydney United 58 will be hoping to end Wollongong’s rampaging start to the season when the two sides go head to head this Sunday.

Fourth placed United 58 have had a solid start to the season to remain undefeated with a draw and a win from their opening two games. Victory against Wollgongong could be the statement victory which really kicks Miro Vlastelica’s side into gear.

Last round they snatched a narrow 1-0 win against Blacktown City thanks to a brilliant Matt Sim free-kick.

Shot stopper Thomas Manos has been in sterling form and has kept two clean-sheets. Assisted by the defensive pairing of Yianni Fragogiannis and Petar Markovic, the Reds have assembled a tight defence with the club also expecting Adrian Vlastlecia to the fold.

Josh Macdonald made his debut for the Reds coming off the bench last week and he will look towards a start while Patrick Antelmi added some attacking power against his former club and will hope he can repeat the same effort against another ex-Club of his.

For Wollgonong their two wins from as many games has given new boss Luke Wilkshire the perfect start to his senior coaching career.

However, The Wolves face their biggest test yet this week.

English striker Thomas James has proven to be a shrewd signing for Wilkshire and last week’s incredible hat-trick against APIA proved what he is capable of.

James is sure to tie the United 58 defence in knots this week and he could be on the scoresheet again if they’re not careful.

Japanese import Takeru Okada has also been a strong contributor for the South Coast side pulling the strings in midfield.

Nick Littler has also been solid in the Wolves back-line and he is hoping he can further tighten things up against United 58.

Look out for former Wanderer Lachlan Scott to do some damage as the young striker goes in search for his maiden goal for 2019.

Wollongong has shot out of the gates to start the season but Sunday’s clash could be a match which proves if they are the real deal.

Sim stunner gives United 58 edge over Blacktown City

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Goalkeeper Thomas Manos saved the day for Sydney United 58 in their National Premier Leagues NSW Mens match away to Blacktown City at Lily Homes Stadium won by a wonder-striker Matthew Sim free-kick.

Manos made three saves in the closing stages to deny City a point after a sublime curling dead ball from Sim secured the spoils.

Patrick Antelmi, the former City player, almost returned to haunt his former club in the opening moments only for gloveman Tristan Prendergast to turn the ball away.

City initially responded by mounting pressure on their rivals however goal scoring opportunities were a rare commodity as the match bogged down in midfield and became a battle of attrition.

Neither side was at it’s best in a lethargic opening opening half and it was no surprise the teams hit the sheds still locked in stalemate.

It wasn’t until the second period the game sprang to life and an early free-kick on the edge of the box was the catalyst.

Sim placed the ball and curled a left-footed shot teasingly up into Prendergast’s left hand corner to open the scoring for the visitors.

It was to prove the only goal of the game but it wasn’t for the lack of trying by City who switched to a back three and they almost paid the price again when a sweet through ball from Yianni Fragogiannis put Antelmi into the clear but he somehow contrived to fire his effort over the bar.

City pushed and probed and another dead ball situation saw Mason Versi force Manos into the first of three quick successive saves, one more from Versi and another he tipped over the bar in the stoppage time.

The United 58 defence marshaled by veteran Petar Markovic alongside Fragogiannis as well as the marauding runs of Jordan Roberts and the solid display by Yianni Perkatis really shone out for the visitors.

A disconsolate Blacktown coach, Mark Crittendon, commented.

“I don’t think we deserved to lose the game today,

“We gave away a cheap turnover and then a foul to let them in to score.

“I’m proud of the effort from the guys today but like I said, I don’t feel we deserved to lose to a goal like that.”

Miro Vlastelica was rather more upbeat as United 58 recorded its first victory for 2019.

“We always know we are in for a tough game against Blacktown as they are a quality side.

“We could have won by more in the end but we didn’t take the chances we created and we need to work harder on that.

“However, we’ve got the points, kept a clean sheet and we’ll move forward from here.”

Match Stats

Blacktown City: 0

Sydney United 58: 1 (Sim 56’)

Lily Homes Stadium, Quinn Ave, Seven hills

Sunday 17th March, 2019

Blacktown City: 1.Tristan Prendergast, 4.Yianni Spyrakis, 5.Grant Lynch (Mason Versi 75′), 6.Matt Lewis, 7.Devante Clut, 8.Daniel Araujo, 9.Joey Gibbs, 11.Mani Gonzalez (James Demetriou 59′), 21.William Mutch, 22.Leroy Jennings, 24.Jackson Bandierra (Adam Berry 62′)

Subs not used: 3.Daniel Collins, 20.Dylan Niski

Yellow cards:

Red cards:

Sydney United 58: 21.Thomas Manos, 3.Jordan Roberts, 5.Anthony Tomelic (Nick Stavroulakis 71′), 6.Petar Markovic, 8.Matthew Sim (Adrian Vlastelica 75′), 9.Patrick Antelmi, 11.Yianni Perkatis, 13.Sam Perre, 15.Tariq Maia (Josh Macdonald 62′), 20.Christian Gonzalez, 22.Yianni Fragogiannis

Subs not used: 2.Joshua De Rossi, Daniel Sadaka

Yellow cards:

Red cards:

Player Ratings

3 – Manos (SU58)

2 – Fragogiannis (SU58)

1 – Clut (BCFC)

By Micky Brock, FNSW Reporter

Wolves teach APIA a lesson

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APIA Leichhardt Tigers fell to their first defeat of the season on Sunday afternoon as Wollongong Wolves’ Thomas James ran rampant on a slick surface at Lambert Park hitting a hat-trick with a 3-0 victory.

The hosts started slowly, and were ultimately undone by individual mistakes which were duly punished by a striker in form.

James opened the scoring midway through the first half, before adding a second and a third to complete his hat trick with twenty minutes remaining.

APIA pushed in the closing stages but couldn’t apply a finishing touch to encouraging build-up work, and are left with work to do at the end of the second week of the season.

APIA’s Chris Payne had the first shot of any real note after a tentative opening few minutes, with both sides struggling to find their rhythm in challenging conditions at Lambert Park.

The rain which had held up earlier in the afternoon returned soon after the first whistle, but didn’t prevent Payne from slipping through on the left flank before hitting a curling ball towards the inside corner for Justin Pasfield to claw away.

Payne was given another opportunity to open the scoring a moment later when he was played through the middle by Sam Mcillhatton, but the forward was held up and closed down by good pressure from the visitors.

A clever pass from the midfield suddenly had Wollongong clean through on goal, with Thomas James drifting between two defenders before taking a touch around the onrushing Ivan Necevski to give himself a clean shot at the lead.

His side trailing, Corey Biczo might have helped pull a goal back for APIA when he slalomed down the right wing before touching the ball across the face of the goal, but Wollongong were able to clear for a corner.

The visitors had two terrific chances to push further in front with a second goal before the break; Takeru Okada drawing a sharp save from Necevski after good work from James, and James snapping a volley over the crossbar after a blocked Okada shot bounced his way.

APIA showed little intention to take the fight to their opponents in the second half, and soon found themselves behind by two when James nicked the ball from a clumsy Themba Muata-Marlow, before driving a shot past Necevski to double his tally for the afternoon.

Biczo let fly after a strong run down the right, but his wayward shot seemed to sum up a frustrating outing for the home side. With twenty minutes remaining, Okada pushed across the top of the box and cut a ball back for James, who swiped a first time finish under the goalkeeper.

APIA took control of the ball for a fifteen minute spell at the end of the half, and might’ve scored a late consolation goal but Mcillhatton could only mishit his volley in space at the back post.

By the final whistle, they might’ve considered themselves lucky to have got away with a 3-0 defeat; Stefan Dimoski closed down by Necevski before Brendan Griffin hit the post in added time.

A lacklustre display had APIA’s John Calleja shaking his head at the final whistle.

“We started poorly, made too many silly errors, had no cohesion going forward, our defensive shape was all over the shop,” he said.

“It was a performance I can’t put my finger on at the moment.

“Is it hunger? Is it desire? Did we think we were better than what we were? We know Wollongong are a tough side, we talked about that.

“We were out-enthused, they were first to every ball. They wanted it more and they got what they deserved.”

Wollongong’s Luke Wilkshire was pleased with his team’s performance, and another three points in 2019.

“I’ve got no complaints winning three-nil away from home,” he said.

“It’s not easy. I had people telling me that Wollongong don’t win away from home, but I think we’ve shown that we can.

“I’m excited about this group of players and it’s a tough place to come, so to pick up all three points is fantastic.”

Match Stats

APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 0

Wollongong Wolves 3 (James 20’, 56’, 69’)

Sunday 17th March, 2019

Lambert Park, Leichhardt

Referee: Michael Weiner

Assistant Referees: S. Edeling, M. Price

Fourth Official: M. Riedy

APIA-Leichhardt Tigers: 8. BICZO Corey, 7. DIAZ Tynan, 14. HUGHES Lachlan (18. UCCHINO Adrian), 21. KOUTA Michael, 12. MCILLHATTON Sam, 15. MUATA-MARLOW Themba, 1. NECEVSKI Ivan, 10. PARISI Franco (13. D’APUZZO David), 6. PAYNE Christopher, 4. SYMONS Joshua, 16. SYMONS Sean

Substitutes Not Used: 17. GULISANO Samuel, 19. NASRABADI Dominion, 22. TUXFORD Blake

Yellow Cards: Joshua Symons 61’, David D’Apuzzo 68’

Red Cards: Nil

Wollongong Wolves: 14. CALLAHAN Harry (23. KOLOVSKI Jordan), 4. DJORDEVIC Nikola, 9. JAMES Thomas, 16. KNIGHT Guy, 15. LITTLER Nick, 2. MCDONALD Taylor, 11. OKADA Takeru, 1. PASFIELD Justin, 24. SCOTT Lachlan (13. DIMOSKI Stefan), 17. STOJCEVSKI James, 6. TOSI Benjamin (10. GRIFFIN Brendan)

Substitutes Not Used: 12. KAIRIES Luke, 7. PRICE Christopher

Yellow Cards: James Stojcevski 83’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Thomas James (WW)

2 – Takeru Okada (WW)

1 – Harry Callahan (WW)

-By Max Grieve

Manly United and Sydney FC share points

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Manly United and Sydney FC were forced to settle for a share of the spoils following a tense 1-1 stalemate at Cromer Park on Sunday afternoon.

National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s football returned to Cromer Park with a bang, with both sides scoring in the 15th and 16th minutes respectively.

The opener arrived courtesy of an impressive Sam Gallagher header, which nestled in the far corner of Thomas Hewerd-Bell’s net.

Sydney FC then fired back instantly, as Hamish Lamberton left the Manly backline in his wake, weaving his way through on goal before poking the ball through the outstretched legs of Dylan Mitchell.

Despite the game initially shaping to be a goal-fest, the frequency of opportunities created by both sides progressively declined as the contest endured.

Sydney grew to dominate the latter stages of the first half, culminating in Lamberton striking the crossbar with a well-timed rocket in additional time.

Manly then took the game to their youthful opponents in the second half, however ultimately failed to gather a clinical touch in the final third.

A tough afternoon for both sides saw the Baby Sky Blues head home content with a point that prolongs their unbeaten start to the campaign, while Manly were offered plenty of positive snapshots as they carry on their search for a maiden victory.

The contest sprung to life from the opening whistle, as Jordan Swibel forged a sight on goal within 15 seconds, however his low shot was comfortably saved by Dylan Mitchell.

Both teams then traded blows during a frenetic opening quarter of an hour, with Scott Balderson blazing over the bar after five minutes, before Jerry Skotadis came within inches of opening the scoring after nine.

The Sky Blues midfielder lost his marker to be free on the end of Marco Tilio’s well-delivered corner, however directed his volley narrowly wide of the mark.

It was another set-piece, this time up the other end on 15 minutes, that would bear the match’s opening goal.

Scott Balderson swung in a powerful cross which was met well by Sam Gallagher, who found the back of the net with a precise flicked header which grazed the inside of the back post.

The defender’s second goal of the season injected life into a healthy Northern Beaches crowd, however unfortunately for them, Sydney’s travelling contingent would not have to wait long for parity to be restored.

Seconds after the restart, Skotadis won the ball high up the field and played it into the feet of Hamish Lamberton via a neat touch from Jordan Swibel.

Last year’s National Premier League NSW Men’s Under 20’s Golden Boot winner seemed to have only thing on his mind as he set off on a spellbinding run, beating a handful of Manly defenders before poking home the equaliser.

The situation so almost improved even more for the Sky Blues after 39 minutes, as they were awarded an indirect free kick in the area by referee Kurt Ams.

However Marco Tilio could not steer his close-range strike through a crowded penalty area, allowing for the Cromer faithful to breathe a collective sigh of relief.

The visitors came even closer to edging in front with one of the final kicks of the first period, as Lamberton forged a yard of space on the edge of the area and released a venomous strike that was cruelly denied by the woodwork.

Sydney FC maintained their momentum in the early stages of the second half, and if it was not for a stunning fingertips save by Dylan Mitchell to deny Jordan Swibel’s close-range header, they would have taken the lead after 52 minutes.

Manly United then worked their way back into proceedings, eventually garnering a stranglehold of possession and field position.

Their best chances arrived aerially through Jamie Glover and Adam Parkhouse in the 58th and 65th minutes respectively, however a stubborn Sky Blue defensive unit proved to be up to the task time and time again.

The hosts believed they should have been granted a 94th minute spot kick after a collision between substitute Charles Mendy and Thomas Hewerd-Bell, however their vocal appeals were waved away by Kurt Ams, ensuring the points would be shared.

Manly United’s assistant coach Dylan Macallister offered a positive outlook on the draw:

“We were looking for a reaction from our players today after losing round one,” Manly’s former striker revealed.

“I thought the effort was fantastic today from the players.

“In the front third we were very dangerous- we must have had 15 to 20 crosses throughout the game.

“We probably needed more bodies in the box at times.

“We had a few players today coming back from injuries, we are just going to get fitter and fitter as a squad.

“The majority of our squad is playing really good football the way we want them to.

“If we could have a bit more of an impact from our players coming off the bench, that will be the final piece we need to start running over teams like we did last year.

“We’ll take a point in the end, almost could have nicked it with a penalty, but were a little bit unlucky.

“We’re still happy overall.”

Similarly, Sydney boss Jimmy Van Weeren extracted many promising signs from his side’s impressive start to the season:

“It was pleasing to see that the boys could manage the game in the back end there against what is a really strong opposition,” he said.

“The (four) points are good,  but are only one thing. It is nice to see some of these young players really stepping up in a quality competition.

“I think this is only the start of the project with some of these boys, and they are still quite young.

“It is exciting to think what they are potentially capable of throughout this season.”

Van Weeren’s Baby Sky Blues will be confident they can remain undefeated after they host Marconi Stallions next Saturday, whilst Manly United will face another team in search of a maiden victory in the form of Mt. Druitt Town Rangers in Round 3 National Premier League’s NSW men’s action.

Match Stats

Manly United FC 1 (Sam Gallagher 15’)

Sydney FC 1 (Hamish Lamberton 16’)

Sunday 17th March, 2019

Cromer Park, Dee Why

­­

Referee: Kurt Ams

Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields and Jarrod Park

Fourth Official: S. Andrews

Manly United FC: 1. Dylan Mitchell, 2. Kieren Paull, 4. Travis Oughtred, 5. Sam Gallagher, 6. Joseph Fox (3. Jamie Lobb 80’), 8. Dom Ferguson, 10. Brendan Cholakian, 11. Adam Parkhouse (12. Charles Mendy 71’), 13. Scott Balderson (14. Dejan Pandurevic 58’), 17. Lewis Miccio, 22. Jamie Glover

Substitutes Not Used:  20. Sam Benton, 32. Mackenzie Syron

Yellow Cards: Scott Balderson 24’, Kieren Paull 38’

Red Cards: Nil

Sydney FC: 1. Thomas Heward-Belle, 3. Ben Van Meurs, 4. Liam Mcging, 5. Patrick Scibilio, 6. Harry Van Der Saag, 7 Jerry Skotadis, 8. Joel King, 9. Hamish Lamberton (12. Giuseppe Tilio 62’), 10 Marco Tilio, 13. Jordan Swibel (2. Daniel Blachura 87’), 18. Benjamin Koop (24. Jake Hollman 73’)

Substitutes Not Used: 40. David Malishev, 15. Ryan Teague

Yellow Cards: Hamish Lamberton 53’, Guiseppe Tilio 73’, Harry Van Der Saag 90’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Sam Gallagher (MU)

2 – Hamish Lamberton (SFC)

1 – Dom Ferguson (MU)

–  By NPL NSW Reporter Chris Curulli (Twitter handle @ChrisCurulli)

Stallions stung by Suns

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Rockdale City Suns took out its first victory of the 2019 NPL NSW Men’s campaign and condemned the Marconi Stallions to its second successive loss with a come from behind 2-1 victory at Marconi Stadium on a soggy Saturday evening in Sydney’s West.

The game oscillated in the first half and in the 7th minute, after a scramble near the box, Anthony Frangie had the ball in the back of the net for Marconi, but it was disallowed for offside.

Shortly afterwards, Suns form player Matthew Lecce tried his luck from way out but his rocket sailed narrowly over the crossbar as the visitors came close.

The mercurial Panny Nikas then blasted the ball towards goal from just outside the box but he was brilliantly denied by the Marconi custodian Nenad Vekic who turned it over the crossbar with aplomb.

Marconi opened the scoring from virtually nothing in the 22nd minute.

A free-kick made its way forward until it reached Richie Cardozo who beautifully chipped the goalkeeper off his line much to the delight of the home crowd.

In the 35th Khang-Hoon Cho on the turn tried his luck for Rockdale but his well-intended attempt was deflected rather fortuitously by Frangie for another corner.

Marko Jesic replied for Marconi and fired from distance close to the break; however, the ball sailed marginally wide of the post for what would have been a great Marconi goal going into the interval.

Early in the second half, Patrick Savor came close for Rockdale with a shot from distance that only just missed the intended target.

It was Jesic again for Marconi who in the 60th minute with a rocket from close range that brought out the best in ‘keeper David Bradasevic.

Rockdale City Suns did score the equaliser in the 68th minute when the ball drifted across to Nikas who was unmarked and the prolific scorer showed that he had lost none of his midas touch as he drilled home and opened the scoring for the visitors.

It sparked a revival for Paul Reid’s men as they found a winner late in the second half.

In the 85th minute the Suns rocked the Stallions when an Alec Urosevski cross from the right reached an unmarked Lecce who, with a powerful diagonal header, beat all and sundry to give the visitors the lead much to the frustration of the Marconi bench.

It proved to be the winner much to the delight of the traveling Suns fans as the Stallions spectators looked on in despair.

After the game, Rockdale City Suns coach Paul Reid was pleased to have chalked up his first win of the season.

“I didn’t think that we deserved to be down 1-0 at halftime,” he said.

“Marconi were probably a bit more aggressive than us in the first half and we got pushed off the ball, but we just needed to match them physically and I knew that our football would come through in the end.

“People say subs change games and tonight they definitely did because they gave us energy in the second half and were influential in both the goals.

“We have a really good squad and it was good that we got the three points that we thoroughly deserved.

“Marconi is tough place to come to and it was also a heavy pitch tonight, but we deserved the three points. It’s a long way to go but I am looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Over in the Marconi Stallions dressing room coach Peter Tsekenis was disappointed that his team had come away empty handed.

“Last week we conceded a really good goal but this week we got on top and we were really quite comfortable for a large period of the game but couldn’t close it out,” he said.

“They probably created two good chances and they scored from them. We didn’t take our chances and Rockdale is a quality side because they have players that can hurt you. Once they got the first one, they then got on top but losing that game hurts.”

Match Stats

MARCONI STALLIONS: 1 (Cardozo 22’)

ROCKDALE CITY SUNS: 2 (Nikas 68’, Lecce 85’) 

Saturday, 16th March 2019

Marconi Stadium, Bossley Park

Referee: Stephen Lucas
Assistant Referees: Scott Edelling, Maggie Price

Fourth Official: Sam Kelly

MARCONI STALLIONS: 1. Nenad Vekic, 2. Nathan Millgate, 3. Giorgio Speranza, 4. Roberto Speranza, 7. Sean O’Connell (16. Liam Youlley 80’), 9. Anthony Frangie (23. Brandon Vella 62’), 10. Marko Jesic, 11. Mitchell Mallia (12. James Andrew 80’), 19. Zach Cairncross, 20. Richard Cardozo, 21. Marjan Pavlovic.

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

Yellow Cards: Frangie 26’, O’Connell 76’, Cairncross 78’, Youlley 86’

Red Cards: Nil

ROCKDALE CITY SUNS: 1. David Bradasevic, 2. Daniel Petkovski, 3. Michael Neill, 6. Khang-Hoon Cho (7. Alec Urosevski 57’), 9. Jonathan Grozdanovski, 12. Idriss El Hafiane, 15. Nic Petrillo, 20. Howard Fondyke (10. Joshua Da Silva 67’), 17. Matthew Lecce, 19. Patrick Savor, 23. Panny Nikas (16. Alexander Malfara 92’).

Substitutes not used: 5. Jake Trajkovski.

Yellow Cards: 45’ Savor, 79’ El Hafiane

Red Card: Nil

Player Ratings:

3 – Matthew Lecce (RCS)

2 – Marko Jesic (MS)

1 – Panny Nikas (RCS)

-By National Premier Leagues NSW reporter Joe Russo at Marconi Stadium