Goals Galore as APIA Run Away with Victory Over Mt Druitt
It was goals galore in an incredible night at Popondetta Park on Wednesday evening as APIA Leichhardt FC secured a huge 5-3 victory over Mt Druitt Town Rangers in their Round 1 rescheduled fixture.
It was back and forth throughout the entire match as both sides had chances to take hold of the game, but it was ultimately the visitors who were able to secure the three points and punish Mt Druitt with an extra goal in injury time for the second week in a row.
Of the massive eight goals were doubles to both Sean Symons and Jason Romero, who were electric on the park throughout the clash, while substitute Paul Galimi netted the visitors fifth of the night in injury time.
Mt Druitt’s Jack Stewart was a standout, creating opportunities and assists and netting one goal of his own to combine with John Roberts and substitute Jorge Moreira Tavares in their three goals.
The high-scoring game saw plenty of attacking potential from both sides, but a lackluster defensive display to keep pressure away from both teams’ ‘keepers, who could do little to keep the goals at bay.
As both sides took to the park for their midweek match, they brought plenty of energy, creating plenty of opportunities in the opening stages of the match, but fans didn’t have to wait long for a goal as APIA Leichhardt’s Sean Symons opened scoring in the 4th minute.
The attacker received a ball from Jack Armson and took his time to get in the right position to send his left-footed strike from outside the 18-yard box past Mt Druitt ‘keeper Matthew Symes and into the netting.
The Rangers retaliated not long after, scoring through John Roberts in the 10th minute.
Stewart sent a deep cross over to Fumoto Kamada, who dribbled in and sent the ball to the goalmouth.
It was then parried by APIA Leichhardt custodian Ivan Necevski and fell in perfect position for Roberts to tap home.
A penalty gave the visitors the advantage in the 37th minute after referee Adrian Arndt ruled that Symes had made contact with APIA Leichhardt’s young attacker Nathanael Blair.
Romero stepped up to take the penalty and sent Symes the wrong way, coolly sliding his shot into the netting.
Sean Symons came back for his second in the 42nd minute, this time sending a sensational curled ball into the top left corner, chipping Symes in the process.
The impressive goal saw APIA Leichhardt hit the sheds for the half-time break with a 3-1 lead, giving them plenty of confidence going into the second stanza.
Kamada made a blitzing run down the left flank in the 66th minute and sent a superb cross into Stewart at the goalmouth, however it came off the foot of APIA Leichhardt defender Walter Scott before bouncing to Tavares, with the Portuguese ace perfectly executing his half-volley to bring Mt Druitt back into the game.
Stewart was next to get on the scoreboard for the home side, capitalising on a rebound off an APIA defender to shoot from distance and equalise, bringing the game to 3-3 and giving the hosts a real chance at recouping points from the match.
Romero netted his second of the night in the 79th minute to take back the lead for the visitors, with an incredible display of attacking prowess.
He received a quality through ball from Sean Symons and proceeded to turn two Mt Druitt defenders and get himself a clear shot at goal before expertly finishing.
Injury time hurt the Rangers for the second week in a row as APIA Leichhardt extended their lead in the 94th minute, this time through substitute Paul Galimi.
Romero was in amongst the action yet again and fed a ball to Galimi outside the 18-yard-box and the substitute scored the fifth and final goal for the visitors with a clean strike from range.
The goal would have surely rubbed salt in the wounds of the hosts, who suffered three late goals from Blacktown City in their round 2 clash on the weekend.
The win takes APIA to two victories from their two matches so far this season, while Mt Druitt remain without a win as they head into a tough Round 3 match-up against Sydney United 58 on Sunday.
Match Stats
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 3 (Roberts 10’, Tavares 66’, Stewart 69’)
APIA Leichhardt FC 5 (Sean Symons 4’, 42’, Jason Romero 37’, 79’, Paul Galimi 90+4’)
Wednesday, 16th March, 2022
Popondetta Park, Emerton
Referee: Adrian Arndt
Assistant Referees: Matthew Staples and Joel Crawford
Fourth Official: Jake Rose
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC: 1. Matthew Symes, 2. Solomon-Johnn Monahan-Vaiika, 4. Travis Oughtred, 6. Louis Khoury, 7. Jack Stewart, 8. Diogo Barbosa, 9. John Roberts, 11. Fumoto Kamada, 17. Cooper Coskerie (22. Rhett Desilva 63’), 19. Bul Juach (13. Jorge Moreira Tavares 46’), 21. Tarek Elrich
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Robert Fanella, 8. Jason Perez, 12. Jake Trajkovski, 26. Rocco Fragale
Yellow Cards: Kamada 16’, Elrich 42’, Oughtred 81’, Montgomery
Red Cards: Nil
APIA Leichhardt FC: 1. Ivan Necevski, 5. Nicholas Azzone, 9. Jason Romero, 14. Jack Armson, 15. Themba Muata-Marlow (4. Josh Symons, 76’), 16. Sean Symons (3. Paul Galimi 83’), 18. Adrian Ucchino, 20. Nathanael Blair (10. Franco Parisi, 74’), 21. Michael Kouta, 23. Walter Scott, 38. Yianni Nicolaou
Substitutes Not Used: 2. Gian Fiorese, 6. Simon Nicholas, 22. Luke Turnbull
Yellow Cards: Sean Symons
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Sean Symons (AL)
2 – Jason Romero (AL)
1 – Jack Stewart (MD)
By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Editor Madeline Riley
