The home side immediately took control of the game, opening the scoring in the 14th minute with a splendid team move finished by William Akio, perfectly set up by captain Mark Jesic.

Born in Nairobi to South Sudanese parents, Akio is an international for his country with six caps and has already proven himself to be a signing of real quality. After spells in Canada and Scotland, the striker, who signed last October from Canberra’s Tigers FC, gave Marconi fans their first taste of his talent.

Towards the end of the first half, a crucial episode changed the course of the game. Harrison Buesnel brought down a Stallions attacker inside the box. After a brief consultation with the assistant referee, the referee awarded a penalty and showed Buesnel a red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

From the spot, and with the composure of a true specialist, Franco Maya doubled the lead, effectively sealing the result before half-time.

With a man advantage, Marconi dominated after the break and found a third goal through Noah Anderson who entered the record books as the youngest scorer in the history of the Australian Championship at just 17 years old.

“I want to thank coach Tsekenis for giving me the opportunity to make my debut in this competition with such a prestigious club as Marconi,” said the young goal scorer.

“I could have passed the ball to my teammate who was unmarked in the box, but I decided to go for goal myself, and the shot was perfect. Scoring on my debut is something I’ll never forget.”

Despite conceding three goals, Daniel Solsky, Wollongong’s goalkeeper, was undoubtedly his team’s best player, producing several stunning saves that prevented a heavier defeat.

With this convincing victory, the Stallions now look ahead with optimism to their upcoming Friday night encounter with league leaders Heidelberg United at Marconi Stadium.

It will be a decisive clash: a win could propel Marconi to the top of Group B and, most importantly, help them avoid a high-stakes knockout derby with Wests APIA, the favourites to finish top of Group D.

The fans are back in full voice, the team is delivering and the excitement is growing - Marconi are daring to dream big.

“The Stallions would have won even without the extra man,” said Nick Carle, former Socceroo and current head of youth development at Club Marconi.

“The brilliance of the Wollongong goalkeeper, the strikers’ lack of precision and a touch of bad luck prevented the final score from becoming a tennis result.

“Akio scored his first goal and now we can also boast the youngest scorer in the Australian Championship, Anderson - just 17.”

“I’m pleased with both the result and the team’s performance, but above all with the increase in spectators,” said Morris Licata, president of Club Marconi.

“I saw entire families in the stands. It felt like going back to the NSL days, when great players like Roberto Vieri wore the Marconi shirt.”

“At first I had doubts about how successful this competition would be, but after the first two matches I’m starting to believe we’re on the right track,” said Tony Labbozzetta, former president of Club Marconi and Soccer Australia.

“We haven’t seen 3000 spectators at the Marconi Stadium in ages. We’re still far from the attendance records of the NSL era, but enthusiasm is coming back, among Marconi fans and football lovers in general.

“I hope next Friday’s match against Heidelberg draws an even bigger crowd.”