Sydney FC’s PlayStation 4 NPL 2 NSW Mens side’s phenomenal ten match winning streak came to an end as they were defeated 2-1 by Marconi Stallions at Marconi Stadium on Saturday night.
With three former Hyundai A-League players on their roster the Stallions were always going to be a tough opponent for the young Sky Blues however it was Sydney FC that started the game the brighter.
The Sky Blues dominated the opening proceedings and created several good chances down both flanks with quick ball movement and pace.
Sydney FC took the lead in the 19th minute, as midfield dynamo Daniel Araujo carved an opening on the edge of the box to slip in Chris Zuvela who made no mistake to slam home for 1-0.
The two combined once more in the 27th minute as Araujo dribbled along the byline and cut the ball back to Zuvela only to see his scooped shot hit the crossbar and the header off the rebound go just wide.
Sydney FC created several other good chances with a Brendan Curtis effort saved by the Marconi keeper while Bai Antoniou hit the side netting trying to squeeze his shot between the keeper and the near post.
Charles Lokolingoy fired off a missile as he turned his defender but the shot skimmed over the bar and the scores remained 1-0 at the break with Sydney FC having the upper hand.
The second half was a more even contest as Marconi came back into the match placing Sydney on the backfoot.
A late tackle in the area by George Timotheou saw the referee point to the spot after 56 minutes, however former Newcastle Jet, Mirjan Pavlovic’s effort was well saved as keeper Mitch Evans thrust out a strong hand to push the shot onto the bar and then regather the ball as it dropped on the line.
Sydney FC continued to create chances, as first Lokolingoy headed wide of the goal and then Antoniou miscued a half volley on the back post with the goals gaping, while another goal bound strike by Lokolingoy was tipped over by the Stallions custodian.
Sydney FC paid the price for not taking their opportunities as Marconi hit back late in the game to score the equaliser in the 86th minute as Sam Perre tapped home from close range for the equaliser.
Marconi struck the winner in the 88th minute, with former Sydney FC Foxtel National Youth eague player Sean Rooney showing his experience to snatch a chance and make it 2-1.
In other NPL grades the U20’s suffered their first defeat of the season also going down by a 2-1 scoreline while the U18’s maintained their undefeated run with a comfortable 3-0 result.
Sydney FC 1 (Zuvela 19′) defeated by Marconi Stallions 2 (Perre 86′; Rooney 88′)
Line Up: Mitchell Evans (GK); Nicola Kuleski; Patrick Flottman; George Timotheou; Brendan Curtis; Yianni Spyrakis (C); Daniel Araujo; Chris Zuvela; Bai Antoniou; Charles Lokolingoy; Cristian Gonzalez
Subs Not Used: Duro Dragicevic (GK); Matt Green; Juan Zapata; Aaron Avery
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