APIA continue unbeaten season in tough win over Mariners
APIA Leichhardt have continued their unbeaten run in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition with a tight 2-1 win over the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford.
Perhaps spurred on by playing after the A-League Men’s side won 4-1 against the Brisbane Roar, the Central Coast Mariners Academy began the match fast out of the blocks as the light rain settled into Industree Group Stadium.
APIA slowly started to pin back the home side back by finding their passing rhythm and mounting some chances on the Mariners goal.
Central Coast defender Josh Hong was forced off the field with concussion in the 29th minute after Jack Stewart’s goalward shot rocketed into Hong’s head.
It was only a couple of minutes after that incident that APIA took the lead from a free kick. Michael Kouta’s delivery bounced inside the Mariners box and it went untouched for the opener.
The Mariners had a chance to equalise just before half time from a set piece of their own, but Cameron Windust’s header glanced wide.
The Mariners captain perhaps used that effort as a rangefinder, with the defender equalising for the Mariners in the 54th minute. The chance came from a Lachlan Bayliss corner, with Windust flicking the ball just inside the unmanned back post.
APIA had a golden chance to take the lead once again in the 66th minute through Rory Jordan. Jack Stewart crossed the ball to find Jordan in the box. His first-time shot was saved well by Pat Beach but rebounded back to Jordan who misfired his shot inside the box well wide.
It was then the Mariners who missed a golden chance just two minutes later after Olayinka Sunmola created space inside the box and squared it up for Nicholas Duarte, who scuffed his shot over the bar.
The Mariners were made to pay for that miss, as a minute later in the 68th minute APIA took the lead through Stewart. The winger cut inside onto his left foot and converted his shot brilliantly into the bottom-right corner.
The frantic couple of minutes proved to be crucial, as Stewart’s winning effort was the last meaningful chance of the game.
APIA Leichhardt continued their unbeaten run so far this season, while the Mariners are still searching for their second win of the season, just one point off the foot of the ladder.
Central Coast Mariners manager Abbas Saad was happy with his side’s performance, despite walking away without the points.
“I’m obviously disappointed with the scoreline, but we were with them all the way and I’m happy with the performance, we competed very well,” he said.
“APIA are an experienced team and I thought our kids raised it today.
“We had a chance to go 2-1 up but we stuffed it, and then they go down the other end and score.
“We’re just missing that final touch and execution, but we’re not far off,” Saad ended.
APIA manager Franco Parisi was delighted with his sides performance, and admitted that the home side gave them a tough match.
“It was a key three points for us, but total credit to Central Coast, they played very well and pushed us to the end,” he said.
“It was a very good game of football that could have gone either way, but thankfully it was us who took the win.
“Stewie [Jack Stewart] can find a goal when we need it, and he was the difference today.
“The Mariners are training more than us, so I think we deserve credit for showing our fitness and seeing out the game.
“They’re good young athletes and good young footballers. It’s great to see the Central Coast developing good football players.”
Match Stats
Central Coast Mariners Academy 1 (Windust 54’)
APIA Leichhardt FC 2 (Kouta 31’, Stewart 68’)
Saturday 1st April, 2023
Industree Group Stadium, Gosford
Referee: Karl Davies
Assistant Referees: Amber Morris, Logan Jones
Fourth Official: Michael Weiner
Central Coast Mariners: 30. Patrick Beach (GK), 3. Joshua Hong (21. Maksim Kasalovic 29’), 4. Dean Larson, 5. Cameron Windust (c), 6. James Bayliss (17. George Daniel 76’), 8. Lachlan Bayliss, 9. Miguel Di Pizio (18, Max Middleby 76’), 10. Nicholas Duarte, 12. Olayinka Sunmola (11. Bailey Brandtman 76’), 14. Zac Zoricich, 15. Jordan Segreto (7. Aydan Hammond 51’)
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Alexander Parkes (GK)
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
APIA Leichhardt FC: 1. Ivan Necevski (GK), 4. Josh Symons, 7. Jack Stewart (98. Franco Farinella 86’), 8. Diego Celis (25. Aedon Kyra 62’), 14. Jack Armson (30. Alex Denmead 86’), 15. Themba Muata-Marlow, 17. Rory Jordan (16. Sean Symons 71’), 18. Adrian Ucchino (c), 19. Fabian Monge, 21. Michael Kouta, 38. Yianni Nicola
Substitutes Not Used: 12. Anthony Bouzanis (GK), 3. Paul Galimi
Yellow Cards: Kouta 11’, Armson 42’, Nicola 46’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Jack Stewart (APIA)
2 – Themba Muata-Marlow (APIA)
1 – Cameron Windust (CCM)
