Stallions move to second to add to Bankstown’s woes
A physical and entertaining encounter went in the favour of the visitors, as Marconi ran out winners by three goals to one against a very gusty and determined Bankstown City.
Inside the opening exchanges both sides were making clumsy challenges, a clear indicator that both were out for the win at all costs. Marconi Stallions were the first to move the ball forward and break Bankstown City?s right side of defence with the Stallions? Matthew Gordon quickly attacking and passing the ball to team-mate Erick Anabalon who then set-up Mitchell Mallia for an opportunity to shoot and score the opening goal on 3? minutes.
Bankstown seemed stunned at how quickly it all happened, and they retaliated by turning all attentions to attacking. The Stallions seemed composed and confident when they had the ball, while the Lions were continually looking for space, with quick touches and movement to create any openings.
The key players for Bankstown were Scott Thomas, Robbie Mileski and Tallan Martin – all combining well with quick passing and great vision when in Marconi territory.
In the 14?minute Bankstown?s George Nohra received the first yellow card of the afternoon which would set the tone for the entire game as both sides received a number of cautions as they challenged every ball and shut down every inch of space within seconds.
Marconi, after their first goal, seemed content to sit back and allow Bankstown to attack and test their defensive abilities, with the Stallions always looking in control in defence.
Bankstown City?s moment arrived on 19? minutes as a loose ball inside the penalty-area fell to the feet of Robbie Mileski who found himself with only the keeper to beat. Mileski remained composed and made no mistake in slotting the ball in the top right-side of the net, well out of the goalkeeper?s reach.
The intensity soon slowed as more fouls were committed from the home-side as the Stallions remained composed.
In the second-half the intensity was reinstated as Marconi seemed to be the team to reinforce their abilities in attack and defence with players such as Christopher Nunes, Dominic Trimboli and Mitchell Mallia all drawing their opponents out of position and creating space for attacking football. Bankstown?s Scott Thomas and Richard Luksic meanwhile continued to combine well to give their side a fighting chance with long ball plays.
The Stallions continued to knock the ball around the park, at times with easy, and make the Lions frustrated especially in the midfield, but both teams still committed clumsy challenges and thus a free-kick was awarded to Marconi in the 50?minute, just outside Bankstown City?s penalty-area. Marconi?s Jason Naidovski floated the ball well over the defensive wall and into the top right corner of the Bankstown net for a fine goal to send the Stallions back into the lead.
Despite Bankstown?s lack of opportunities they were still determined to equalise and they continued to attack only for the courageous Marconi goalkeeper to punch or kick the ball out of danger?s way when a real opportunity arose from the Lions.
Substitutions were used to reinvigorate both sides and eventually the game was sealed in the 88?minute with Matthew Gordon scoring Marconi?s third to seal victory for the Stallions.
After the game a very jubilant Marconi coach Lee Sterrey said:
?Look it was a tight game and it could have gone either way.
?It?s the same as what happened to us last week, as we lost three-nil to Sydney United and I don?t think the scoreline last week reflected the game and this game here today was in my opinion an ?arm-wrestle? and it too could have gone either way at any stage.
?Bankstown got back to 1-1 and we scored again and looked very sharp, but then all of a sudden we lost momentum.
?All credit must go to Bankstown as they came back and we know that they are very hard to beat at their home ground, but overall it was a great win for us.?
Asked about the clear physicality of the game, Sterrey said:
?It was always going to be a strong, hard and physical game but there was no real malice in the outcome of the challenges.?
A very disappointed Peter Tsekenis, coach of Bankstown City Lions commented following the final whistle:
?We started very slowly and then conceded a goal, a very sloppy goal. We then fought back, and scored a good goal, had some decisions go our way and we put some pressure on their defence.
?But in the second-half, we played scrappy football and we made a couple of mistakes, plus some decisions didn?t go our way. Overall I wasn?t happy with the performance and we got what we deserved.?
Match Stats
Bankstown City FC 1 (Robbie Mileski 19?)
Marconi Stallions 3 (Mitchell Mallia 3?, Jason Naidovski 50?, Matthew Gordon 88?)
Sunday, 11th April, 2010
Jenson Park, Sefton
Referee: Andrew Best
Assistant Referees: Thomas Klein and Daniel Dewhurst
Fourth Official: Matthew Sampson
Crowd 400
Bankstown City Lions: 1.Zlatko Joseski; 6.Peter Tsekenis, 10.Robbie Mileski, 20. Hussein Salameh, 23.Tallan Martin, 4.Brett Studman, 8. George Nohra (16.Suad Ameti 16?), 2.Scott Thomas, 5.Richard Luksic (C), 3.Shannon Burgin (16. Damian Brosque 70?), 7.Steve Liavas (11.Bill Tsanidis 82?)
Substitutes Not Used: 22.Robert Napoleone, 99.Chris Godoy Bascur.
Yellow Cards: George Nohra 14?, Brett Studman 16?, Scott Thomas 22?, Peter Tsekenis 83?, Zlatko Joseski 87?.
Marconi Stallions: 22.James Chronopoulos; 2.Brenton Rhodes, 5.Abel El Jamal, 9.Erick Anabalon (34.Nathan Jagelman 64?), 11.Matthew Gordon, 23.Christopher Nunes, 25.Domenic Trimboli, 26.Nahuel Arrarte, 31.Mitchell Mallia (8.Aleksander Canak 64?) (39.Sean O?Connell 82?), 42.Giorgio Speranza, 16. Jason Naidovski
Substitutes Not Used: 18. Jared Lum, 21.Jose Bello-Amigo, 38.Anthony Avati
Yellow Cards: Nahuel Arrarte 34?; Jason Naidovski 38?.
Red Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 ? Mitchell Mallia (MS)
2 ? Dominic Trimboli (MS)
1 ? Robbie Mileski (BC)
-By Peter Chiodo
