IGA NPL NSW Grade 20s Round 16 Review

IN the Match of the Round Marconi Stallions FC claimed a 2-1 victory over Sydney Olympic FC to grab their second successive win.

In other fixtures, Manly United FC’s win to Blacktown City on Sunday afternoon, has seen them jump to the top of the table, now three points ahead of second placed Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC.

MATCH OF THE ROUND

Sydney Olympic FC 1-2 Marconi Stallions FC at Belmore Sports Ground

ONLY a fortnight ago, Marconi Stallions FC had only one win to their name, but they took all three points last week and grabbed their second consecutive win on a blustery Sunday afternoon, deservedly beating Sydney Olympic FC.

After an uninspiring early start to the game by both sides, it was Marconi Stallions FC who handled the difficult conditions, taking control of the match to claim a 2-1 victory.

It wasn’t until the 8’ minute that a shot on goal was made, when Marconi’s Bright Appiah’s cross found forward Jack Fulton in the box, but his header was sent wide of the post.

Ten minutes later and a brilliant run down the left saw Fulton again in front of goals, his shot from just inside the box finding the back of the net, but a last minute offside call by the officials denied the visiting side the goal.

It was Sydney Olympic’s Joshua Spina who was next to have an opportunity on goal, but his shot was sent to the hands of Marconi keeper, Nathan Campbell.

Chance after chance went begging for the visiting side and they should have commenced the goal scoring in the 39’ minute. Fulton’s run down the centre found him with only the Sydney Olympic keeper, Kresimir Kardum to beat, but he couldn’t quite get enough power on his shot and it was promptly cleaned up by the home side defence.

Moments later Marconi’s Bruno Antelmi’s free kick from the left of the box found Fulton who responded first, however he sent his header sailing over the bar and another opportunity was lost, as the teams headed for the sheds nil-all.

Sydney Olympic’s Alexander Kelly spurned an early chance in the second half, his shot outside the box, sailing over the crossbar and this was to set the theme for the rest of the half as the home side missed a number of opportunities.

In the 54’ minute Jason Madonis’ free kick from outside the box found James Andrew on the byline and his cutback was met by Joshua Spina in the box, whose shot on goal went high over the crossbar.

Marconi opened the goal scoring in the 61’ minute, bringing relief to the visiting side, when Judah Cleur’s long range strike beat the defence and the keeper, before finding the back of the net. 

Sydney Olympic’s James Andrew responded in the 65’ minute, having a shot from inside the box, but Marconi’s keeper, Campbell pulled off a beautiful fingertip save, to deny the home side a goal. 

Less than a minute later, Andrew broke down the left and his cross in the box found Spina, whose shot on goal once again went high over the crossbar.

Having soaked up the pressure, Marconi doubled their lead ten minutes later, to all but seal the match. Anthony Francl shot into the box from the right was finished off by Noah Chianese’s header, beating the Sydney Olympic keeper, Kardum on the near post.

In the 81’ minute Marconi’s keeper, Campbell was shown a yellow card when adjudged to have taken down a Sydney Olympic striker in the box.

James Andrew stepped up to take the penalty, calmly slotting the ball in the left corner of the post, providing a lifeline for the home side with less than ten minutes on the clock.

A free kick outside the box in the 86’ minute could have given the home side an unexpected equaliser, but nothing eventuated and the full time whistle saw Marconi deservedly take the maximum points.

Sydney Olympic coach, Michael Urukalo was frustrated in his side’s performance.

“It was our worst performance of the season and it’s simply not good enough at this point in the season”, Urukalo said.

“Our general play was very poor and we didn’t read the game well. Marconi fully deserved their victory today.”

Match Stats

Sydney Olympic FC 1 (James Andrew 81’)

Marconi Stallions FC 2 (Judah Cleur 61′, Noah Chianese 71′)

Sunday 29 June, 2014

Belmore Sports Ground, Belmore

Referee: Lachlan Keevers

Assistant Referees: Joon Park and Nick Backo

Sydney Olympic FC: 17.James Andrew, 26.Jonathan Aspropotamitis, 25.Luca Falcone, 12.Kresimir Kardum, 35.Alexander Kelly (31.John Sotiopoulos), 38.Christopher Kolistasis (11.Michael Trajkovski), 30.Jason Madonis, 37.Stefan Sacilotto (43.Ante Markovic), 23.Joshua Spina, 20.Joshua Tanner, 39.Michael Goitatzis (29.James Togias)

Substitutes Not Used: 1.Nathan Polinsky

Yellow Cards: Stefan Sacilotto 43’

Red Cards: Nil

Marconi Stallions FC: 38.Bruno Antelmi, 11.Bright Appiah, 26.Blair Brown, 37.Judah Cleur (24.Marcus Donatieko), 1.Nathan Campbell, 39.Noah Chianese (36.Callum Fitzpatrick), 31.Raimond Coletta, 8.Steven Drewery, 30.Jack Fulton, 19.Zak Elrich (32.Anthony Francl), 41.Zak Sfiligoi

Substitutes Not Used: 40.Alex Bandiera, 33.Jake De Marigney

Yellow Cards: 1.Nathan Campbell 81’

Red Cards: Nil

Round Review

Saturday

Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC 0-2 South Coast Wolves FC at Bonnyrigg Sports Club

Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC were defeated by South Coast Wolves at home.

Peter Simonoski and James Ralston scored for the visiting side.

Sutherland Sharks FC 2-3 APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC at Seymour Shaw

APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC beat Sutherland Sharks FC on Saturday evening.

Matt Mayora scored two and Luke Clifford scored one for the visiting side.

Christopher McStay and Kostandinos Nikas, brother of Panny, scored for the home side.

Rockdale City Suns FC 3-0 St George FC at Ilinden Sports Centre

Rockdale City Suns beat St George FC at home on Sunday afternoon.

Caleb Russell scored two and Jeremy Boden scored one.

Blacktown City FC 1-2 Manly United FC at Lilys Football Centre

Blacktown City FC were defeated by Manly United FC at home.

Lewis Beumie scored for the home side.

Daniel Saric and Christopher Arditti scored for the visiting side.

Sydney United 58 FC 5-0 Blacktown Spartans FC at Sydney United Sports Centre

Sydney United 58 FC hammered Blacktown Spartans 5-0 at home on Sunday afternoon.

Mark Cindric scored an impressive four goals and Richie Darko scored one

– By Anneliese Scenna, National Premier Leagues NSW Grade 20s Reporter