Late Bulls Equaliser Salvages Draw Against high flyers APIA
Northbridge Bulls have pulled off a stellar last-second comeback to secure a well-earned 3-3 draw against National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s high flyers APIA Leichardt.
The Bulls found themselves in an incredible position in the first half, after the deadly duo of Jed Drew and Diego Bonilla combined for a two-goal lead at the half hour mark.
However, APIA proved their quality and came back, with goals from Sean Symons and Matthew Cahill levelling proceedings heading into the break.
Symons popped up for a second with 20 minutes remaining, which looked like it would be the winner.
Mile Sterjovski’s young chargers didn’t give up and forced the issue until the final seconds of the game, where they were rewarded through a late Mason Wells equaliser.
It was a fairly even start to the game, with the sides going back and forth looking for the opener.
Bonilla found himself with the first real chance of the game with a free-kick from close range, his deflected shot was brilliantly defused by Ivan Necevski.
Northbridge enjoyed a good spell of attacking pressure after the opening period, testing the quality APIA defence in the process.
Jed Drew began to make his mark on the contest, causing plenty of headaches for the right-side of APIA’s defence.
The pacey-winger found himself in a good area close to the box and squeezed his way through the defence for a good look at goal, his shot was calmly taken by Necevski
APIA came agonisingly close to an opener, when a deflected cross fell perfectly to Themba Muata-Marlow on the volley, however he couldn’t keep his shot down as it went past the near open-net and over the bar.
Northbridge’s early pressure paid off in the 28th minute when a monster goal kick from Nicholas Suman gave Drew an open run down the line. Drew found himself in space and managed to get a powerful cross across, which was fumbled by Necevski, as Bonilla pounced on the mistake and found the opener.
The visitors looked to answer back instantly from the following kick-off and came within inches, as Sean Symons found himself wide-open with a headed chance towards goal, his effort went narrowly wide of the post.
Northbridge sensationally doubled their lead in the 36th minute and a shock was on the cards as Drew and Bonilla linked up for the second time in a matter of minutes.
Drew again found himself in space on the right and skilfully cut his way into the box and down the by-line, with Necevski coming out to meet him Drew, he neatly placed it to Bonilla, who tapped it home for his second.
It didn’t take long for the visitors to rally back, as a perfect long ball picked out Symons in the box, where he neatly placed his effort in for a much-needed opener for APIA.
APIA built some crucial momentum on the heels of this and finished off the half in the best way possible.
Cahill ensured his side went into the break level, after a promising run from Jason Romero into the box gave him the chance to play a ball into the crowded area, the ball took numerous touches but was eventually put over by Cahill, in a goal line scramble
The sides went into the break level at two-goals apiece, with APIA buzzing with confidence on the back of a two-goal comeback.
Northbridge came out with a point to prove in the second half, forcing APIA on the backfoot and placing a lot of pressure on their defence in the process in the early stages after the restart.
APIA survived the strong start from Northbridge and began to even out the attacking chances.
The visitors found themselves in the lead for the first time in the match, as a powerful shot from the club’s South American signing Diego Celis forced a strong hand from Suman, his save however fell perfectly to Symons, who placed the ball in from close range.
After the substitutions of Stephan De Robillard and Rory Jordan, Northbridge looked lively in attack with the pair causing plenty of issues for the APIA defence.
Suman ensured the Bulls remained within reach of a result, after a world-class save from a top-corner bound shot from Romero.
Lachlan Sepping came within inches of a late equaliser when his effort from a free-kick narrowly curled past the sticks.
Northbridge fought hard until the final seconds and were rewarded in the final minute of injury through Mason Wells.
Jordan lined a free-kick from the side of the box and found Wells at the front-post, where he neatly placed it past Necevski, as Northbridge deservingly found their equaliser.
The final whistle came moments after, as the sides were forced to share the points in a thrilling encounter.
APIA Leichardt coach, Danial Cummins credited Northbridge’s performance, but was disappointed with the end result.
“It was a tough game, they’re [Northbridge] a good side, I like the way they play, I don’t think their position on the table reflects how they’re playing, we knew it was going to be hard,” he said.
“It was good to get back into the game, but that was disappointing at the end to give the foul away and then to concede so late, to come away with a point is better than nothing.
“I thought they played well and I thought they created enough chances, I’m not arguing with the draw, but we had a 3-2 lead and you’d think our experience would be able to hold them out.”
Northbridge Bulls coach, Mile Sterjovski admitted he was frustrated, but proud of his side’s comeback at the end against one of the most in-form side’s in the league.
“It was frustrating, I thought we played well for long periods, I think the lack of experience or being a little bit naïve defensively, we let them back in the game,” he said.
“We fought to the end and I’m glad we got a point out of it against the league leaders, it just showed what we are capable of.
“Maybe I’m being a bit bias, but I thought in the first-half especially we dominated longer periods, there was a short period where they got back into the game, but they’re a quality team and there’s a reason why they’re on top of the table.”
Match Stats
Northbridge Bulls FC 3 (Bonilla 28’ 36’, Wells 94’)
APIA Leichardt FC 3 (Symons 37’ Cahill 42’, Symons 67’)
Sunday 24th April 2022
Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park
Referee: Hassan Jomaa
Assistant Referees: Samuel Quinn and Matthew Staples
Fourth Official:Hadi Al-Nakeeb
Northbridge Bulls FC: 1. Nicholas Suman 2. Jack McLoughlin (14. Charlie Ragg 45’), 3. Nathan Dimou, 4. Andrew Sparacino, 7. Mason Wells, 8. Brodie Clarkson, 9.Diego Bonilla (13. James Cakovski 72’) 15. Eddie Caspers (19. Lachlan Sepping 77’), 16. Oliver Jones, 17. Jed Drew (10. Rory Jordan 72’) 21. Jake Hollman (11. Stephan De Robillard 57’)
Substitutes not used: 20. Levi Kaye
Yellow Cards: nil
Red Card: nil
APIA Leichardt FC: 1. Ivan Necevski, 4. Joshua Symons, 5. Nicholas Azzone, 7. Matthew Cahill (8. Diego Celis 62’), 9. Jason Romero, 14. Jack Armson (10. Franco Parisi 88’), 15. Themba Muata-Marlow, 16. Sean Symons, 18. Adrian Ucchino, 23. Walter Scott, 38. Yianni
Substitutes Not Used: 3. Paul Galimi, 6. Simon Nicholas, 21. Michael Kouta, 22. Luke Turnbull
Yellow Cards: Muata-Marlow 55’
Red Card: nil
Player Ratings
3 – Jed Drew (NB)
2 – Sean Symons (APIA)
1 – Diego Bonilla (NB)
-Written by NPL NSW writer, Dominic Criniti @DominicCriniti
