Marconi Stallions vs Wanderers NPL 25/03/2017 7:00PM

In, should be a cracking game

Just the NPL2 game on tonight, with the u18's & 20's postponed to protect the surface. 

If you can't make it, tune into the broadcast via Wanderers Live

Wanderers Live†@WanderersLive

 

 

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Baccus Jnr one of 7 ACL contracted players, listed in our squad for the clash with Marconi tonight

http://websites.sportstg.com/round_info.cgi?c=1-10179-0-439113-0&pool=1&fixture=68736522&a=SELECT

VS

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Live on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nplnsw/videos/1254655537923101/

2-2 draw

Good open game thoroughly enjoyed by a decent crowd.

Another good test for our lads, particularly our two young CB's who had their hands full dealing with the physical presence of Pav etc 

Good results for the academy sides who played Spartans away on Saturday 

u13 0 - 2 Win 

u14 0 - 4 Win 

u15 0 - 4 Win 

u16 0 - 4 Win 

Match of the Round

Marconi Stallions 2 Western Sydney Wanderers 2, Marconi Stadium

Marconi and Western Sydney Wanderers shared the spoils 2-2 in a thilling end-to-end PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Men’s match of the round at Marconi Stadium on Saturday night.

Western Sydney led twice, with goals to Emmanuel Gonzalez and Oliver Puflett; while Judah Cleur and Sean Rooney kept Marconi in the match with one goal apiece.

Wanderers coach Trevor Morgan expected Marconi to play aggressively from the start and he wasn't disappointed as the more experienced Stallions tackled with intensity and attacked in waves through the middle and down the wings.

Mirjan Pavlovic tore into the young Wanderers from kickoff both with the ball and in defence; while Marko Jesic caused a few problems with his pace and skill down the right flank.

But despite the Stallions' robust start, it was the young Wanderers who opened the scoring after nine minutes. Marconi goalkeeper Nenad Vekic found himself stranded outside the penalty box, allowing Wanderers' forward Emmanuel Gonzalez to pounce and guide a long range effort into the back of an empty net.

With the likes of Mario Shabow, Liam Youlley, Tariq Maia and Keanu Baccus pulling the strings, Western Sydney played with panache, creating some wonderful moves; their pace, mobility and skill keeping Marconi on the back foot in the early exchanges. But slowly, the sky blues found their rhythm.

Brandon Vella, Sean Rooney and newcomer Judah Cleur went close but couldn't find a way past brilliant Wanderers goalkeeper Nick Suman, who proved to be a major thorn in Marconi's side.

In the 38th minute Pavlovic sent in an inch-perfect cross for Cleur, whose header rocketed towards the net, only for Suman to pull off a magnificent save.

Then just on halftime Rooney broke clear and in a one-on-one with Suman, the goalscoring ace came off second best as the 17-year-old goalkeeper again defied the locals.

The Wanderers went to the break with a 1-0 lead but it was Marconi who struck first in the second half, when Cleur scored from close range in the 47th minute. Rooney created the opportunity when he let fly with a rasping shot that Suman could only parry. Cleur was on hand to slot home the equaliser.

But just when Marconi fans began to get excited, Western Sydney struck again only five minutes later when Oliver Puflett rifled a shot past Vekic to give his side a 2-1 advantage

Despite the setback, Marconi's belief never faltered and they continued to press and harry and while Cleur went close again; it was that man Rooney who struck gold in the 64th, striking home from close range.   

Marconi had several more opportunities to score but Suman's brilliance kept the wolves in blue at bay.

Marconi strung together some lovely passages of play and caused plenty of problems in the Wanderers' defence. But again Suman continued to frustrate and deny the Stallions, who couldn't believe the gloveman's heroics between the sticks.

In the 65th minute Rooney sent in an inch-perfect low cross for Jesic who could only watch as Suman somehow pulled off a great save from point blank range.

Pavlovic then faced the young keeper in a one-on-one and, under pressure, the former A-League star could only deliver a weak shot straight at the gloveman.

Then with time almost up on the clock, Suman showed cat-like reflexes when he cut out a low Rooney cross destined for a lurking Pavlovic at the far post. Had the cross met its target, chances are Pavlovic would have given his side a 3-2 advantage and a likely victory.

But it wasn't to be and the most eagerly anticipated match of the round finished in a 2-all draw, with the coaches of both sides going away content with the outcome.

For Marconi, the experienced Vesic, Pavlovic and Rooney proved to be a handful, while Cleur, Brandon Vella and Michael Beauchamp impressed. Beauchamp in particular deserves special mention for a cool and composed performance at the back.

The Wanderers were served well by Mario Shabow, Liam Youlley, Tariq Maia, Keanu Baccus, Oliver Puflett, and Emmanuel Gonzalez. But Suman was a cut above everyone else on the pitch and deserved man of the match honours for his brilliance between the sticks.

Wanderers coach Trevor Morgan wasn't surprised by Marconi's physical approach and said that while he was impressed with certain aspects of his side's performance, other areas needed improvement.

"Marconi brought what we thought they would: physicality," Morgan told Football NSW. "They were brave to to come and press in our half early and we got a goal because they were punished for getting a bit too high. But we got what we expected and I think the result's not a major surprise to anybody and probably shows we need to be better.

"I was impressed by certain aspects of our performance but there are individuals who could execute little things better. There were a lot of mistakes and balls given away without pressure. But then there were times when they dealt with the presure reasonably well.

"Marconi had more clear cut chances because of the pace and power in their running and their experience. We had plenty of chances to get into the final third and play balls into the box but we often took the wrong option. In the end a 2-all draw is probably a fair result on the night."

Marconi coach Tony Candy was also happy with the draw and his side's performance.

"I think we played against a well organised, quality team," Candy told Football NSW. "It was a good game and I'm quite happy with the result, which I think is fair in terms of the performance of the game.

"I was really happy with the amount of chances we created today, we created a lot of opportunities. But we just didn't finish them off which is something we've got to keep working on. Defensively we got caught by a couple of long balls which is unusual, so for me that was probably a little bit disappointing. All credit to Western Sydney Wanderers though."

When asked to name his standouts, Candy replied: "I thought Brandon Vella was outstanding and stood out today. The other boy Judah (Cleur), who just joined them today, took a little while to get into the game but for his first game I think he did really well. Michael Beauchamp too, put in a great shift."          

Match Stats

Marconi Stallions 2 (Judah Cleur 47', Sean Rooney 64') Western Sydney Wanderers 2 (Emmanuel Gonzalez 9', Oliver Puflett 52')

Marconi Stadium

Saturday 25 March 2017

Referee: Samuel Grosso

Assistant Referees: Brandon Coveric, Paddy Reynolds

Marconi Stallions: 1. Nenad Vekic, 4. Dhari Alsaad, 5. Michael Beauchamp, 7. Mirjan Pavlovic, 8. Sean Rooney, 10. Marko Jesic, 12. Judah Cleur (24. Richard Darko 80'), 17. Theo Kofinas, 18. Peter Triantis (26. Fabian Monge),  22. Brandon Vella, 23. Christopher Nunes (14. Peter Pelekanos 14')

Unused Subs: 11. Sam Perre, 21. Kristian Sekutkoski

Yellow Cards: 17. Theo Kofinas 69', 7. Mirjan Pavlovic 71'

Coach: Tony Candy

Western Sydney Wanderers: 2. Lachlan Campbell, 4. Henry Davies, 10. Emmanuel Gonzalez, 11. Kosta Grozos, 18. Oliver Puflett (49. Abraham Majok 59'), 21. Mario Shabow, 25. Liam Youlley (22. Matthew Lecce 72'), 26. Jackson Bandiera, 40. Nick Suman (GK), 42. Keanu Baccus, 50. Tariq Maia (8. Charles Abou Serhal 68')

Unused Subs:, 20. Daniel Axford, 22. Matthew Lecce, 24. Tate Russell

Yellow Cards: 42. Keanu Baccus 40', 25. Liam Youlley 41', 26. Jackson Bandiera 44'. 8. Charles Abou Serhal 70', 2. Lachlan Campbell 75'

Coach: Trevor Morgan

Highlights package

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