The local derby match between Marconi and Sydney Olympic was played tonight at Marconi Stadium with the home side victorious by a scoreline of 2-0. It was not a classic encounter but most of the 8752 crowd went home happy.
Marconi began with just one change from the side that started against Brisbane, Mike Smith coming in for the injured Mark Babic. For the Pumas there was no David Mitchell up front, the striking positions going to youngsters Joel Griffiths and Mile Sterjovski.
The first half was a very bland affair with United having the edge in terms of possession but Marconi gaining the upper hand with shots on goal. Twenty minutes in a good instinctive save from Andrew Crews prevented Mike Smith scoring. In the next five minutes United may have scored twice but Sterjovski and Ardone both had chances go just wide. In the last five minutes of the half Marconi had the ball in the back of the net after Francis Awaritefe headed home only for the goal to be disallowed on a linesmans call of offside from the corner. Then it was Uniteds turn to attack but Sterjovskis terrific ball to Griffiths was brilliantly intercepted by hard working Mike Smith. Right on half time Kris Trajanovski put in a great cross to Brendan Renaud but Renaud slipped up at the wrong moment and kneed the ball straight to Andrew Crews.
0-0 at half time but five minutes into the second half the game took a surprise turn. A freekick to Marconi saw the ball go to the far post. Somehow Francis Awaritefe kept the ball in and headed back into the penalty box for Mike Smith to head home, or so it seemed. As the ball flew into the top corner Velimir Kupresaks hand intercepted it to keep it out. Kupresak, who was playing his 200th NSL game, was sent off, whilst Marconi were awarded a penalty. Pan-Kuen Kim successfully converted the penalty although there was discussion on its legality as Kim had seemingly bourked on his way into slotting the ball home. The goal stood and seventeen minutes later there was no doubt about the goal that doubled the home sides lead. Kris Trajanovski, doing alot of running off the ball all night, as well as picking up the ball from midfield, put in a cross from the right and Brad Maloney scored a spectacular goal with a sideways scissors kick volleying the ball home off the post. After that both sides had a couple of chances but the game really petered out into nothing.
Neither coach was happy with the performance after the game and perhaps a two goal loss was harsh on Sydney United. Best players for Marconi were Trajanovski, Smith, and Maloney, whilst Griffiths and Ardone did some good things for Sydney United. Whilst United have the likes of Saad, Day and Laurence to come back into the team Marconis problems may be harder to fix.
The side seem to lack someone tucked in just behind the strikers linking the deep midfield and the front men. The likes of Darren McDonald or even Kris Trajanovski may have to move into that role to make the play flow better. Certainly coach Frank Farina must be considering these options and more in the upcoming weeks.