Marconi’s season is definitely now over

Marconi Stallions have mathematically farewelled their faint finals hopes with a disappointing draw against Parramatta FC Eagles.

The visitors came to Marconi Stadium and can thank a 43-year old veteran, Evangelos Petratos, for their goal.

After the game his coach Manny Spanoudakis praised his veteran player and his impressive performance.

“He’s 43 and has always been strong in the air, but he did more than that because he defended very well,” he said

“I am very happy to pick up another point away from home. I have been here for seven games [3 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses] and I am happy with the way the boys have responded.”

In the 26th minute a free-kick from Umut Tokdogan found Matthew Gordon in the box, but his attempted shot was never really going to beat Tomislav Romic in the Parramatta FC goal.

Right at the end of the first stanza of play Nathan Jagelman won the ball out wide on the left and then headed diagonally in towards goal before firing his shot just wide of the intended target.

It was by far the best chance of the first half which really was rather lamentable for all concerned.

In the second half, Marconi came forward in the 51st minute through Gordon who tried to find Nahuel Arrarte, but he couldn’t control the ball as he headed towards goal.

Marconi scored in the 68th minute. A long ball created a lot of trouble for Romic who spilled the ball.

Nico Sama, who had only been on the field a matter of minutes, was in the right place at the right time when he had a free shot that made its way into the net.

The goal fired up Parramatta FC Eagles. In the 72nd minute they equalised.

A Jonathan Castano-Acero shot was turned wide by James Chronopoulos for a corner which was then taken by Peter Crevani.

There to meet the corner was Petratos who headed home with ease.

After the game Luke Casserly, Marconi’s disappointed coach, couldn’t believe that his side had gifted such a goal.

“There were so many things about the goal,” he said. “We were in control in their half, but instead of playing an easy ball we tried an impossible ball.
“Then we gave away a free-kick, then a corner and then a free header, so the whole goal was a culmination of so many things that just can’t happen at this level.”

Parramatta went close in the 82’ minute when Nicholas McInerney found Matthew Osman in the box, but his final shot was only marginally wide.

In the 89’ minute Marconi should really have scored when Nico Sama did all the hard work before firing a shot that went crashing straight into the post.

“For me it was a game that we totally dominated, but our execution in the top third wasn’t as good as it could have been to finish them off,” Casserly said.

“Next week, we have A.P.I.A. Leichhardt which is a massive game for our club because it is our derby.”

MARCONI STALLIONS 1
(N. Sama 68’)
PARRAMATTA FC EAGLES 1
(Petratos 72’)

MARCONI: 22. James Chronopoulos, 2. Andrew Mailer, 3. Ali Haydar, 4. Umut Tokdogan, 6. Brenton Rhodes (9. Keith Shevlin 46’), 8. Sean O’Connell, 11. Matthew Gordon, 18. Nathan Jagelman (10. Nico Sama 61’), 20. Josh Sama, 23. Christopher Nunes, 26. Nahuel Arrarte.


PARRAMATTA FC EAGLES: 23. Tomislav Romic, 2. Nicholas McInerney, 5. George Strogylos, 6. Thomas Wilson, 8. Bryan Soane (14. Fabien Iacvovelli 65’), 11. Peter Crevani (4. Daniel Fogarty 77’), 16. Jonathan Castano-Acero, 17. Matthew Osman, 20. Evangelos Petratos, 25. Katria Reda, 33.Luke Grima (18. Almir Dizdaric 81’).