Marconi Fairfield Stallions 2 v. Newcastle Topper Breakers 1 (1-1) Crowd: 2,700 ish. Referee: Con "the card" Diomis 6/10 Game: 5/10 Players: NTB: Baker, Sprod, Austin, Pryce c., McManus, Ritchie, Wilson, Edwards (West), Lowe, Zane, Bennett (Halpin). MF: Covic, M Babic, Longo, Casserly, Maloney c., Z Babic, Awaritefe, Renaud, Kim, Mendez (Care), Zoric. Scorers: MF: Awaritefe, Maloney; NTB: Zane
On a mild and overcast Saturday night the Breakers came to Bossley Park in Sydney amid amazing rumours about the club, and knowing that even a win would only lift them one place off the bottom of the table, so they were expected to be very hungry. Alas the fire still doesn't seem to be there. We started well enough for the first 10 with Zane obviously intent to work hard and with Halpin and Swancott dropped the rest of the team on notice even in this thin squad. There was early evidence of trouble on the left as Awaritefe and Z Babic were giving McNanus and Sprod real trouble. A probing ball from the left from Z Babic somehow evaded 3 Breakers defenders and Francis said thanks as he slotted it away. Meanwhile Zane was having to drop back, pick up, pass to himself, then try to score - a big ask.
Finally a great piece of work saw Zane rewarded with space to slot the ball home inside the left hand upright (coming over the the small knot of we supporters nearby for a salute - thanks Clacka!). Our Marconi hosts nearby suggested it would end 2-2 before they went for a beer but given the Breakers penchant for handing over a goal within minutes of scoring it was indeed unexpected to go in even at half time. Certainly we had been relieved when Awaitefe had milked a penalty and then allowed Baker to psyche him into hitting it straight to him. The half had been slightly Marconi's way but with some good spells from Newcastle.
The second half was a different story with wholesale abandonment of the midfield and some hair raising defending by the Breakers. It was then not a surprise when Awaritefe turned McManus inside out on the right edge of the box and placed a weighted ball over the gaolmouth for Maloney to bang in from close range inside the left upright. Why Baker didn't even get a hand to it amazed us behind the goal. With some of the Newcastle fans going ape calling for Halpin to be brought on - who spent a full 20 minutes warming up - we were quickly going nowhere with no chasing or closing down in the midfield. Yellow cards started to fly from Diomis as both sides got frustrated or bored or both! At last Kosmina introduced Halpin and West and to tempo lifted and balls were being actually supplied to Clacka!. For 20 minutes it looked a half chance we could snatch a draw but the final whistle saw Marconi deserved winners.
We can only hope for retribution on Friday night. As there is expected to be a good number of Marconi fans there we hope the Breakers fans can get behind and lift the team. Best for NTB: Zane, Pryce, Lowe MF: Awaritefe, Maloney, Z Babic.
BTW - the hospitality and good humour of the Marconi fans is appreciated. See you on Friday early on the northern hill at Topper (104 Sandgate Rd Birmingham Gardens - just north of Wallsend off the Wallsend exit of the F2. Great also to have Nick Guoth join us last night. Sorry we can't hope for a Cosmos win tonight Nick!