Marconi Stallions annhilate hapless Wollongong Community FC

Playing at their third home ground in as many home games, ?the Community? must wonder if they have angered the football gods. As the dark skies over Wollongong dumped torrential rain, luck dumped them the cruellest of blows when they lost their first choice goalkeeper Alex Agusto in the warm up.
With backup shot-stopper Matteo Brandalise serving out a suspension, WCFC coach Tony Pace had to turn to Bryce Daenell the Club’s Under-18 goalkeeper, who had already played a full game for the Under 20s side for his first grade debut, and it turned into a baptism of fire for the youngster.
Playing into the teeth of a gale, rain driving into their faces Wollongong were always going to struggle against a classy Marconi outfit and so it was. Within 4? minutes a speculative long-range effort from Ali Al-Hilfi rattled Daenell’s bar. The young ?keeper made a fantastic effort to even get a hand on Alex Canak’s point-blank follow up but could only palm it high into the Wollongong net; 1-0 Marconi.
Although the atrocious conditions were a factor, take nothing away from Marconi’s efficient use of the ball. The classy midfield trio of Al-Hilfi, Arrarte and Diarra were dominant. Hayes and Conde for WCFC could do little to stifle their clever passing.
In the 28? minute Marconi doubled their lead through Canak following a vicious whipped low cross from the right that Daenell managed to parry away only for the Marconi striker to pounce before the back pedalling defenders; 2-0 Marconi.
A minute later the game was all but over, Daenell making another miraculous save only to see Toure pounce on the rebound and stroke it into the empty net 3-0 Marconi.
Marconi had chance after chance but somehow managed to only go in at half-time three-nil up, thanks in large part to the heroics of Daenell and some gutsy defending by the Wollongong youngsters.
The second-half provided no more joy for the home side, who despite lifting their work rate and battling manfully with a star-studded Marconi side were well and truly beaten.
In the 51? minute Wollongong conceded an own goal. A clever low-driven free-kick left Able stretching with the striker and although the defender stopped his man he could not avoid putting the ball into his own net; 4-0 Marconi.
Goals to Anabalon, 69? minute, Nunes 85? minute and McGowan in the 87? minute rounded off a day to forget for Wollongong.
Substitute Samet Kaynak had two late chances for Wollongong but cleared the bar when one-on-one with the ?keeper and shot wide when well positioned.
Marconi were worthy winners, and on today?s display, could be serious contenders if they can string a couple of results together.
Wollongong Community FC coach Tony Pace commented after the match:
?We have set ourselves some very difficult goals this season. Competing with well resourced, star studded teams like Marconi was always going to be a big ask but we continue to have a belief that we are correct in what we are trying to achieve.?
Marconi Stallions boss Lee Sterrey was pleased with his team’s performance:
?I was pleased with the intensity we showed early on. I asked my players to put them under pressure while we had the elements with us and they did. I think from about 35? minutes in we took control of the game and did our job well. Our league position has not been reflecting the quality of football we have played so I am pleased with today’s performance and result. Our central midfield three were dominant and I was very pleased with our finishing.?
In the Grade-20 division, Marconi Stallions defeated Wollongong Community FC 4-2.
 Match Stats
Wollongong Community Football Club 0
Marconi Stallions 7 (Alexander Canak 4?, 28?, Ousmane Toure 29?, David Abel (own goal) 51′,  Erick Anabalon 69?, Christopher Nunes 85? Timothy McGowan 87?).
Sunday 19th of April, 2009
Hooker Creek Park, Berkeley
Crowd: 350
Referee: Peter Vrtkovski
Assistant Referees: Murray Wilson and Steve Nguyen
Fourth Official: B. Johansen
Wollongong Community FC: 20. Bryce Daenell; 2.Kieran Deane (13.Ben Bronenberg), 3.Jamie Pitt, 5.Dave Able, 6.Ilija Prenzoski, 9.Steve Hayes, 10.Balla Conde (8.Samet Kaynak), 12.Brendan Kearns, 17.Chris Nathaniel, 15.James Lawrence, 16.Aden Wade (19.Jack Keating).
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Sam Nastic (gk)
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Marconi Stallions: 22.James Chronopoulos; 2.Wade Oostendorp, 6.Vuko Tomasevic, 7.Ousame Toure (45.Abel El Jamal), 8.Alexander Canak (15.Tim McGowan), 10.Ali Al-Hilfi (9.Erick Anabalon), 11.Matt Gordon, 17.Vamara Diarra, 23.Christopher Nunes, 26.Nahuel Arrarte.  30.Andrea Merenda.
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Cem Akili (gk), 13.Ben Vidaic
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil

Player ratings:
3 – Alexander Canak (MS)
2 – Vamara Diarra (MS)
1 ? Ousame Toure (MS)
-By David Wallace