Marconi Stallions have defeated the NPL 1 Western Sydney Wanderers side in a 1-0 victory at Marconi Stadium.
An 87th minute corner proved to be the difference as the Marconi Stallions went on to secure the victory in a hard fought battle that saw a spirited Wanderers defence almost hold out the undefeated Bossley Park side.
Two teams that started on either side of the table, proved to be a lot closer on the pitch, which all kicked off in the 9th minute of the game as Awan Lual was on the end of a Kaan Nizam cross but a denied penalty shout sent that chance for a corner.
The Wanderers made it difficult for the Stallions to play directly through the middle of the defence, so Marconi resorted to crosses into the box. Marko Jesic, being the target for the majority of them, failed to find the target.
Marconi’s Dean Tsekenis then found himself on the end of a through ball, though Ricky Fransen made the tackle, denying him of the chance.
The remaining 15 minutes of the half played out in the same manner as the Wanderers held Marconi to zero shots on target, and went into halftime level at nil-all.
The second half was enroute to a nil-nil draw, until a break from Luka Knezevic saw a penalty denied, following what looked like a foul on the teenager by Anton Milarnac in the box. The call proved to be a two goal turnaround, as three minutes later, Ricky Fransen unfortunately found himself on the end of a Marconi corner to give the opposition the lead.
Despite the loss, the Wanderers can hold their heads high. This is not the first time this season they have stood up to opposition on the opposite end of the table.
They showed that when tested, the defence can hold up, and if not for a couple unfortunate decisions, the result may have gone in a different direction.
The Red & Black now turn their attention to their rivals in East Sydney on Saturday, when their arch nemesis, Sydney FC, comes to visit at Wanderers Football Park in a do or die clash.
Both teams will be desperate for the win and three points on Saturday could be the catalyst for an early season boost off the bottom of the ladder.
