APIA secures important win over Wolves
A pair of first-half goals have helped APIA Leichhardt to their third win of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season as they claimed a vital 2-1 win against Wollongong Wolves at Lambert Park on Friday night.
Strikes from Mathieu Cordier and Sean Symons before the interval were enough for APIA as they held out an improved Wolves display in the second stanza to secure all three competition points.
It was a second straight loss for the Wolves who have only two wins from their opening nine matches but it was a magical night for APIA coach Paul Dee as his chargers put in a gritty performance to push the club just out of the top six after a poor start to the season.
Wolves’ coach Luke Wilkshire made sweeping changes to the side that slumped heavily at home to Blacktown City last time out bringing in Jacob Gamer, Evan Ball and Nav Darjani and Leroy Jennings
It was a brisk start from the home side when in the opening minute a rash tackle in the box allowed Franco Parisi an attempt from the spot. Last week Parisi scored two from the spot against Sydney FC but it was to be a different outcome as Durose saved his effort then pushed the follow-up from Biczo over the bar for a dramatic double save.
The Wolves rallied and weathered the storm without creating a clear cut opportunity of their own but was susceptible to the quick counter-attack.
Mathieu Cordier glanced a header wide from a corner for the Tigers however, it was as close as either side came to scoring until Biczo forced Durose into another fine save in the 21st minute.
The home side was having the better of the fleeting chances on offer against a stubborn Wolves defence.
Cordier tried his luck from distance and again Durose was up to the task, the visiting ‘keeper having an in-form evening between the sticks.
Lachlan Scott played a couple of quick one-twos in the APIA box but lifted his shot over the bar, the best chance of the match so far for Wollongong before
Sean Symons sent a delightfully weighted through ball for Cordier whose initial shot was saved by Durose but the rebound fell nicely for the former Wanderer to slot home the opening goal of the game and his first for his new club.
William Mutch centred for Sean Symons to gracefully head home and extend the Tigers lead in the 43’ minute.
Wollongong had little choice but to come out and press allowing Sean Symons to maraud down the left and centre for Biczo who was denied by Durose
Darjani forced Ivan Necevski to palm over his bar from a wickedly curling shot but the corner was cleared easily and the threat removed but APIA’s defence were looking for an offside when Scott was put through to once more fire wide of the mark.
Scott reduced the deficit in the 65th minute when rounding Necevski and firing home at the second attempt.
It led to a few nervous moments for the home side however, a lack of composure in the final third saw many Wolves’ attacks break down prematurely.
Symons fired in a free-kick that had Durose smartly down to his left to keep out at the base of the post, the visiting gloveman again pulling off an outstanding block.
APIA coach Paul Dee was delighted with his sides battling performance.
“Their ‘keeper made some crucial saves for them tonight even though we started well,” he said.
“We got the two goals and probably should have put the game to bed but a couple of missed opportunities and they got a bit of momentum towards the end of the half.
“It was a really good resilient defence to hold them out in the second-half and hold on to the three points.
“They pressed us hard after the break and to their credit they weren’t going to lay down and give us the points so I’m very happy with the result.”
A frustrated Luke Wilkshire rued another poor start from his side.
“Our first wasn’t good enough but our second-half was much better,” he said.
“We got hold of the ball after the break and showed more composure whereas in the opening 45’ minutes we didn’t deal with the long ball nor second ball well enough.
“We were more aggressive in the second-half and matched them physically when we showed a bit more confidence going forward.
“We were a lot more threatening after the break.”
APIA will now turn its attentions to the FFA Cup next Tuesday as they face NPL 2 NSW Men’s outfit Bonnyrigg White Eagles for their round 5 clash at Lambert Park with kick off set for 7:30pm.
Match Stats
APIA Leichhardt Tigers 2 (Cordier 31’ , S.Symons 43’)
Wollongong Wolves 1 (Scott 65’)
Lambert Park, Leichhardt
Friday, 23rd April 2021
Referee: Hassan Jomaa
Assistant. Referees: Joon Park & Maddy Allum
Fourth Official: Jake Rose
APIA Leichhardt Tigers: 1.Ivan NECEVSKI, 2.Wiliam MUTCH, 3.Paul GALIMI, 4.Joshua SYMONS, 8.Corey BICZO (26.Vincent FEDELE 89’), 10.Franco PARISI (6.Harry CALLAHAN 66’), 11.Matthieu CORDIER (23.Gian FIORESE, 90+4), 16.Sean SYMONS, 18.Adrian UCCHINO, 20.Samuel McILLHATTON, 21.Michael KOUTA
Substitutes not used: 9.Blake POWELL, 15.Themba MUATA-MARLOW, 30.Gene MARANTOS
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Wollongong Wolves: 23.Hayden DUROSE, 2.Taylor McDONALD, 3.Darcy MADDEN, 5.Jacob GAMER (17.Jake LAVALLE 46’), 8.Brendan GRIFFIN (6.Ethan KAMBISIOS 71’), 10.Nav DARJANI, 11.Leroy JENNINGS (13.Stefan DIMOSKI 89’), 16.Fletcher McFARLANE (9.Lewis GRIMSHAW 82’) 19.Evan BALL, 20.Liam WILLE (15.Daniel LOE 46’), 24.Lachlan SCOTT
Substitutes not used: 1.Aidan MUNFORD
Yellow Cards: Loe 67’, Ball 72’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – S.Symons (ALT)
2 – Durose (WW)
1 – Biczo (ALT)
By National Premier Leagues reporter Micky Brock
