Jason Oswell loving life at APIA

APIA Leichhardt Tigers striker Jason Oswell has taken the IGA National Premier Leagues Mens 1 competition by storm after signing on with the club only seven weeks ago.

Oswell, 20, joined the Tigers from Scottish Premier League side Inverness and has scored nine goals in 11 appearances.

The tall striker opened up about his footballing life so far after APIA Leichhardt’s 2-1 loss to Blacktown City over the weekend.

“I am from Manchester and I grew up in the Crewe Alexandria academy from 12 to 18,’’ Oswell said.

“I moved to Inverness from there in the Scottish Premier League for 6 months of this season.

“I made two appearances in the Scottish Premier League which was a great experience for me but things didn’t turn out too well there.

“There’s a few people that I know from England that have contacts here in Australia and they recommended me and I made the trip over here.’’

Struggling for game time overseas, Oswell has fit in perfectly with the Tigers.

Despite Australian football being described as physical, Oswell said his experience so far has been far from that.

“I’ve been here about seven weeks and I can say I am enjoying the football,’’ he said.

“It is a good league which is tough and technically very good I think.

“It’s different to England in a way. A lot of people say it is more physical here but I think it is less physical than the lower leagues of the English and Scottish game.

“I have had 11 consecutive games here now and it is nice to be playing in a team every week where the boys have confidence in you.

“I want to produce good football performances and move my football career on.’’

APIA Leichhardt Tigers reached the final of the Waratah Cup recently with Oswell scoring the winning goal in extra time against the Bonnyrigg White Eagles.

The Englishman is hoping to continue his recent success and bring the Waratah Cup to Leichhardt.

“The Waratah Cup would be great, I’m really looking forward to the final,’’ he said.

“ I have enjoyed every Waratah Cup match to be honest.

“It is nice playing two game in a week because it keeps you going and keeps your fitness up.’’

And with the recent heavy downpour of rain in Sydney, Oswell said he is happy to play in any type of wet conditions.

“This what I play in, this is me. I prefer playing in these conditions because all the Aussies don’t fancy it,’’ he said.

-By Chris Georges