Marconi Stallions join Sydney Olympic in Grade 20 finale

The Stallions, who have been impressive throughout the season, had the demons of a heavy defeat at the hands of Sydney Olympic last weekend to exorcise against Manly United, and the team from Bossley Park did not fail to deliver.
The Stallions? afternoon at Seymour Shaw started, and finished, well as they hit the lead within 4? minutes of play.
A teasing run into the penalty area by Brodie Mooy saw the striker brought down following a poor Manly United defensive tackle, leaving the referee with no option but to award the Stallions a penalty. Mooy dusted himself off and calmly converted the spot-kick, setting the pattern for the Stallions task at hand.
Even before Manly United could plot their fight-back, the Stallions found their second goal ? Mooy was again the source.
A swift Stallions attack on the right-flank, led by Timothy McGowan, saw a loose ball fall into the path of Mooy on the penalty-spot. The striker did not need a second invitation as he sweetly swerved his effort around a stranded Rhyss Keane in the Manly goal.
Manly United?s brave attempts to pressure the Stallions were few and far too inconsistent ? the Cromer Park side?s midfield and front-pairing lacked the fluidity that has proven successful this season.
A defensive lapse by Manly United?s Luke Reading saw Mooy again cause United concern. Mooy dispossessed the defender and hit a first-time effort towards goal; Rhyss Keane watched the effort finish wide of the mark.
Jamie Garside, arguably Manly United?s stand-out performer, created his side?s first chance of the afternoon with a powerful run down the right-flank. Garside cut a low-pass across the face of goal into the path of Matthew Sim on the edge of the penalty-area; the midfielder?s effort finished well-over the crossbar.
Manly United?s defensive troubles continued on 20? minutes as a failed clearance by the rear-guard saw the ball fall to the feet of Mooy at the back post. The striker?s effort rebounded off a defender before falling to Ben Bronneberg, who hit a venomous drive goalwards, only for the effort to finish over the crossbar.
Mooy?s strike-partner Daniel Ott tested the Manly United shot-stopper moments later with a point-blank header; Rhyss Keane produced an exceptional save to keep his side only two-goals behind. Keane?s reaction following his fine work highlighted his discontent with his defender?s marking.
Jamie Garside almost had Manly United back in the contest with a fine show of strength and skill in the Stallions? half.
Garside shrugged the challenges of three Marconi Stallions? defenders before unleashing a venomous low-driven effort just wide of Stallions? goalkeeper James Chronopoulos? left-hand post.
Manly United?s best chance to buy a ?life-line? in their bid to remain in the contest arrived on 31? minutes as a free-kick on the edge of the penalty-area amounted to very little. Garside had two ?bites at the cherry? as his first effort struck the Stallions? wall before his second attempt finished over the right side-line for a Marconi throw-in.
Daniel Ott had a chance to extend his side?s lead following a blunder by goalkeeper Keane. Timothy McGowan?s cross from the right seemed a routine ?take? for the goalkeeper though his mistimed punch saw the ball fall to Daniel Ott; his first-time effort failed to beat the sea of Manly United legs that scrambled back onto the goal-line to clear to safety.
Manly United closed the half with a positive attack, again from the right-flank.
Tony Park?s searching cross found Matthew Sim at the back post, though the left-sided midfielder?s rushed effort finished well-over the crossbar.
Despite Manly United?s best efforts to get back into the match in the second-half, Marconi Stallions continued to dominate possession and created the few chances that were on offer.
In the 50? minute, Ben Bronneberg had goalkeeper Keane beaten with an exceptional long-range attempt that only just finished wide of the goalkeeper?s left-hand post.
Tony Park nearly headed Manly United back into the contest on the hour after latching on to a Matthew Sim corner. The defender?s header had power though lacked direction as James Chronopoulos watched the effort finish harmlessly wide.
Manly United?s Jamie Garside had more luck with a free-kick 10? minutes from the end as he powerfully swerved the ball around the Stallions wall. The impressive effort was easy pickings for Chronopoulos though, as the Stallions? shot-stopper easy parried the effort.
Moments later and any slight chance of a Manly United revival were disregarded as Garside was forced to leave the field through injury after a fierce contrast inside the Stallions penalty-area. The ensuing attack did provide Jared West with a chance to find the target, though Chronopoulos was again on his game with another miraculous save.
The Bossley Park outfit administered the result in the final minutes of the match, ensuring the Stallions will get a second shot at Sydney Olympic in the Grand-Final next weekend at Penrith?s CUA Stadium.
Match Stats
GRADE 20 PRELIMINARY SEMI-FINAL
Marconi Stallions 2 (Brodie Mooy 4?, 6?)
Manly United FC 0
Venue: Seymour Shaw.
Referee: Adam Weir
Assistant Referees: Nick Backo and Dale Fuda
Fourth Official: Miles Allen-Scott
Marconi Stallions: 1.James Chronopoulos; 15. Timothy McGowan (30. Andrew Yiannatzi 90? +3?), 17. Sean Mitchell, 24. Zachary Cairncross, 28. Daniel Ott (12. Stefan Donevski 61?), 29. Brodie Mooy (27. Ozcan Cetinay 90?), 31. Stefan Heleta (25. Thomas Brandon 79?), 32. Ben Bronneberg, 33. Jerry Kalouris, 34. Terry Lampard, 38. Umut Tokdogan
Substitutes Not Used: 40. Matthew Sneesby
Manly United FC: 20. Rhyss Keane; 23. Tony Park (29. Nicholas Swart 63?), 24. Scott Wright, 25. Chris Van Leur (14. Jimmy Oates 71?), 27. Andrew Hayward (33. Jed Prater 79?), 28. Luke Reading, 30. Mitchell Macedo, 31. Michael Rolston, 32. Matthew Sim, 35. Jared West, 13. Jamie Garside (34. Alex Hunt 87?)
Substitutes Not Used: 40. Marc Villaescusa
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 ? Brodie Mooy (MS)
2 ? Ben Bronneberg (MS)
1 ? Jamie Garside (MU)
-By Joseph Carlucci