It was a case of three precious points lost as National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s high flyers APIA Leichhardt FC were held to a 2-2 draw against bottom of the table side Bulls FC Academy on Saturday night at Lambert Park.
The first half was actioned-pack with three goals in the space of seven minutes.
Jack Armson put the home side in front midway through the half before Joel Bertolissio and Mason Wells both scored for the Bulls which sent the side into halftime with a lead.
Jack Stewart equalised for APIA within the first minute of the second half, but the hosts were unable to push on and find a winner in the remainder of the game.
It was an even opening few minutes as both teams looked to take the game to their opponents early on.
The hosts went close in the eighth minute as Rory Jordan fired a shot from inside the box that took a deflection and spun into the gloves of Bulls goalkeeper Alexander Robinson.
The Bulls had a chance 11 minutes later as a turnover on the left allowed Sebastian Hernandez to take aim from the edge of the box – the ball deflecting away for a corner.
Twenty-two minutes in though, APIA found the opening goal through a spectacular strike from Armson.
The midfielder’s looping effort from outside the box dropping into the left side of the net.
It was an inspired response from the Bulls who turned the scoreline around just seven minutes after conceding.
A well-worked move from the visitors found Bertolissio free in the middle of the box, prodding home to set the scores level in the 26th minute.
The side weren’t done yet as three minutes later, Wells mazed his way into the box from the left and slid a composed finish into the bottom right corner to put the Bulls in front.
It was nearly another goal for Bulls FC Academy just after the half-hour mark with Hernandez’s dangerous cross cleared over the crossbar.
Wells continued to threaten for the away side latching onto a ball into the box and edging it past onrushing APIA goalkeeper Ivan Necevski, but also just past the right post.
The Bulls took their lead into halftime following a quickfire turnaround after trailing in the first half.
However, it didn’t take long for APIA to restore parity in the second half, less than a minute after the restart, the side had their goal.
Stewart driving down the right and into the box, evading a couple of challenges as he shifted the ball inside before slotting a low shot into the right corner.
The side had another chance six minutes later as Diego Celis rattled the crossbar with his strike from the left of the box.
The chances dried up after this latest effort for APIA with it looking like the next goal in the game would be the winner.
APIA stepped up the tempo as the game moved into the final 10 minutes.
With six minutes to go, Celis had another shot but this time, his first-time strike rolled past the left post.
As the match ticked into stoppage time the home side looked to nick the points, probing in the Bulls’ half.
Some diligent defending from the visitors meant APIA were unable to find the winning goal as the points were shared.
Match Stats
APIA Leichhardt FC 2 (Jack Armson 22’, Jack Stewart 46’)
Bulls FC Academy 2 (Joel Bertolissio 26’, Mason Wells 29’)
Saturday 18 March 2023
Lambert Park, Leichhardt
Referee: Sebastian Andrews
Assistant Referees: Andrej Giev and Scott Edeling
Fourth Official: Michael Weiner
APIA Leichhardt FC: 1. Ivan Necevski (GK), 3. Paul Galimi, 6. Anthony Sparacino, 7. Jack Stewart (98. Franco Farinella 74’), 8. Diego Celis, 14. Jack Armson, 15. Themba Muata-Marlow, 17. Rory Jordan (16. Sean Symons 65’), 18. Adrian Ucchino (C) (Aedon Kyra 85’), 19. Fabian Monge (4. Joshua Symons 74’), 23. Dakota Askew (11. Corey Biczo 74’)
Substitutes Not Used: 12. Anthony Bouzanis (GK)
Yellow Cards: Paul Galimi 45+3’, Diego Celis 90’
Red Cards: Nil
Bulls FC Academy: 1. Alexander Robinson (GK), 3. Isaac Hovar, 4. Joel Bertolissio, 8. Mason Wells, 9. Anthony Krilic (5. Jonathan Maras 76’), 16. Oliver Jones, 18. Sebastian Hernandez (14. Sunday Yona 66’), 19. Jesper Webber, 20. Adrian Knez (12. Charlie Ragg 76’), 21. Lachlan Macdonald, 22. Edward Caspers (C) (23. Flynn Madden 88’)
Substitutes Not Used: 15. Luka Sterjovski, 40. Griffin Barry (GK)
Yellow Cards: Anthony Krilic 27’, Oliver Jones 43’, Lachlan Macdonald 63’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 – Mason Wells (BA)
2 – Oliver Jones (BA)
1 – Jack Stewart (AL)
Report by Timothy Gibson, on Twitter @Timg123_
