Sorry Suns eclipsed by ruthless Tigers
APIA Leichhardt Tigers have heaped extra misery on a struggling Rockdale City Suns outfit with a 4-0 demolition job of they rivals during their National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s clash at Lambert Park on Sunday.
It was a one sided display with APIA rarely looking troubled throughout the 90 minutes as they handed Rockdale their third defeat in as many games.
Chris Payne followed on from last week’s hat-trick performance by scoring a double in the win while captain Sean Symons and new signing Andre De Jong also finding the back of the net.
It was the third straight game Rockdale’s high profile attack failed to score leaving coach Paul Reid with some big decisions to make if he is to help the side resuscitate their season.
It took only ten minutes for APIA to open their account with Payne bumping off Rockdale centre back Petkovski before cooly finishing though legs of Bradasevic to make it 1-0.
APIA was on the ascendancy after the goal and put the pressure on a scattered Rockdale defence.
Biczo spurned a gilt-edged with a miss-kick when one on one with the keeper, while Payne had a wasted opportunity of his own not one after.
The game was quickly becoming a physical and feisty affair with referee Stephen Lucas handing out a flurry of cautions.
Payne doubled his tally in the 37th minute after a embarrassing blunder from Bradasevic.
The Rockdale keeper spilled the ball after contesting a high ball with APIA’s in-form striker on hand to tap the ball home into the empty net.
It was a one sided affair in the first half and a well deserved 2-0 lead for APIA.
It didn’t take long for the Tigers to hit top gear after the break with Symons firing past the keeper after making a well timed run at the back post in the 54th minute to make it 3-0.
For all Rockdale’s effort they were unable to create any real opportunities.
APIA continued to push throughout the second half and were in complete control of the contest.
The visitors were lucky not to concede their fourth goal of the after noon midway through the second stanza
Parisi gave the game a sprinkle of stardust with a classy back heel to set up Sam McIllhatton, but the young star was unable to hit the target.
New singing De Jong was given his first minutes in an APIA shirt with a little under 20 minutes left on the clock.
The Kiwi international capped off his debut when he lashed home a penalty in the dying minutes to make it 4-0 and wrap up all three points for the home side.
APIA gaffer John Calleja said the performance was signs of his team slowly edging closer to their top form.
“The boys all came into this game with the right mentality and it really showed out on the park with their performance,” he said.
“Everyone was up for a big game and it was reflected on the scoreboard.
“The last two weeks I have felt the team has lifted their game up another level and with the season only five weeks old it is really promising signs for they can potentially achieve this season.”
A dejected Paul Reid rued what was another horror day out for his Rockdale side as their season goes from bad to worse.
“I don’t think you can compare today’s result to our past two losses. In this match we were very poor and paid the price for our sloppy play,” he said.
“Our struggles in front of goal are a big problem but it isn’t my biggest concern. The fact we’ve conceded nine goals in three games is what I’m really worried about.
“We have plenty of work to do right across the board to come back from a performance like this and it will be straight back to work on the training paddock until we can get things right.”
Match Stats
APIA Leichhardt Tigers: 4 (Payne 11’ 37’, Symons 54’, de Jong 87’)
Rockdale City Suns: 0
Sunday, April 07 2019
Lambert Park, Leichhardt
Referee: Stephen Lucas
Assistant Referees: J Bell, L Radbourne
Fourth Official: A Brett
APIA Leichhardt Tigers: 1. Ivan Necevski, 3. Paul Galimi, 6. Chris Payne (11. Andre De Jong 69’), 7. Tynan Diaz, 8. Corey Biczo, 10. Franco Parisi (14. Lachlan Hughes 80’), 13. David D’Apuzzo (12. Sam McIllhatton 22’), 15. Themba Muata-Marlow, 16. Sean Symons, 18. Adrian Ucchino 21. Michael Kouta.
Substitutes not used: 22. Blake Tuxford (GK) 4. Josh Symons
Yellow Cards: Parisi 43’
Red Cards:
Rockdale City Suns: 1. Daniel Bradasevic, 2. Daniel Petkovski, 3. Micky Neil, 10. Josh Da Silva, 12. Idris El Hafiane, 14. Brayden Sorge, 15. Nicholas Petrillo, 17. Mathew Lecce (9. Jonathan Grozdanovski 66’), 18. Sasa Macura (Alec Urosevski 67’) , 20. Howard Fondyke (Patrick Savor 71’), 45. Jordan Figon
Substitutes not used: 22. Max Rowston, 11. Leigh Egger
Yellow Cards: Da Silva 25’, Petkovski 26’ Petrillo 46’
Red Card:
Player Ratings
3 – Payne (APIA)
2 – Biczo (APIA)
1- Parisi (APIA)
