APIA continues its unbeaten run in 2023
APIA Leichhardt have defeated Manly United 3-1 with a good display at Lambert Park to strengthen their second placed standing on the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s ladder.
The home side began in the best way possible, opening the scoring inside the opening two minutes. A good combination play saw Jack Stewart in space on the right, and the in-form winger played a dangerous first time cross into Rory Jordan.
The cross was cleared to the edge of the box, where Jack Armson was quickest to the second ball.
The advanced midfielder slid an intelligent ball back into Jordan, and the on loan Newcastle Jets winger converted clinically from close range.
Following the goal, the opening 20 minutes was even, with APIA looking dangerous on transition when winning the ball back and Manly United beginning to grow into the game with Seiya Kambayashi impressing with his positivity and energy in progressing the ball forwards.
Armson was presented with a chance to gain a second goal 22 minutes in after an incisive run and square ball from Stewart set him up with time to shoot on the edge of the box, but the midfielder couldn’t find the target with a curled effort.
Manly showed their quality in their quick combinations in tight areas led by Kambayashi, to break free into open space, but struggled to move up the field and create chances.
In the 28th minute, APIA looked to capatalise on a Manly defensive error, as a quick pass from Fabian Monge found Armson.
The winger cut inside and unleashed a left-footed effort which was parried by Levi Kaye, and the goalkeeper got to the rebound just before the onrushing Monge.
Manly responded with an opportunity of their own as Benjamin Koop had a good burst in behind the defence, but his shot was blocked well by a backtracking APIA backline, and he couldn’t fashion a meaningful second effort against heavy defensive numbers.
APIA again showed themselves to be threatening on transition as Stewart was presented with a golden chance to add a second after good progressive play from Monge and Michael Kouta.
Stewart latched onto a threatening early cross from Kouta, but dallied on a volleyed effort from a promising position inside the box, and Manly’s defence got across sharply to block the effort.
Minutes into the second half, Manly were presented with a golden chance to draw level.
A good drive from Kambayashi saw a left-footed cutback find Brazilian marksman Bruno Mendes with time and space to shoot from inside the box, but his right footed effort sailed over the bar.
As went the course of the game, APIA struck back with an effort on transition, as Jordan drove forward positively, in search of a brace, and unleashed a left footed near post effort.
APIA doubled their lead off a corner in the 51st minute.
A dangerous ball in from Armson was redirected by Themba Muata-Marlow onto the head of Joshua Symons who made no mistake in finding the back of the net from close range.
In the 59th minute APIA looked to have a third, but Kaye pulled a miraculous save from close range.
Aedon Kyra was presented with a golden opportunity after a rebound well inside the box against a stranded Kaye, but couldn’t convert past the goalkeeper, who stood strong to keep Manly in the match.
Manly looked to pile on the pressure, as a good run from Kambayashi saw his parried shot find the head of James Oates, who couldn’t find power in his headed effort, which was caught by Ivan Necevski.
APIA almost had a third in the 73rd minute with Sean Symons sneaking in at the back post with a header, but Kaye was alert and caught calmly.
It was Manly who found a goal next as veteran star Matthew Sim halved the deficit with a spectacular cross-cum-shot from the left flank – after making a run in behind, he unleashed a left footed effort which bounced off the far post and into the back of the net.
APIA almost increased their lead in the 81st minute with a fantastic disguised ball from Stewart finding the feet of Sean Symons, who turned and unleashed a low shot, but his effort sailed just wide of the bottom left corner.
The home side did in fact find a third goal in the 88th minute to wrap up the match.
Sean Symons made a good tackle and played an instinctive switch out to Stewart who was free on the left flank.
The winger ran at his marker and eventually cut back onto his right foot before unleashing a stinging effort at goal.
Kaye parried the ball away but Alex Denmead was well positioned to tap home from close range to ensure APIA took home the three points.
APIA coach Franco Parisi was happy with the overall result, despite lamenting the concession of a goal to prevent a clean sheet.
“We wanted to win in both halves and we did that today.
“I am disappointed to concede a goal, but seeing how the goal was scored, it’s difficult to be upset with that one. We’re happy with the three points and we go again next week.”
Parisi went on to praise the new format of a regular season without finals, stating that it leads to more competitive and higher quality games during the season.
“We’re now a third of the way through the competition and it’s clear that every single game is good football but is also a good battle. It’s getting stronger and stronger every week, and everyone wants to get three points because of the new format, so it’s clearly having its impact on the way teams are approaching every game.”
Match Stats
APIA Leichhardt FC 3 (Jordan 2’, J. Symons 51’, Denmead 88’)
Manly United FC 1 (Sim 74’)
Friday 7 April, 2023
Lambert Park
Referee: Brodie Merchant
Assistant Referees: Hugh Fenton-White and Arinath Gobinath
Fourth Official: Blake Sanchez-Cruz
APIA Leichhardt FC: 1. Ivan Necevski, 4. Joshua Symons, 7. Jack Stewart (3. Paul Galimi 89’), 14. Jack Armson (98. Franco Farinella 79’), 15. Themba Muata-Marlow, 17. Rory Jordan (30. Alex Denmead 79’), 18. Adrian Ucchino (C) (6. Anthony Sparacino 89’), 19. Fabian Monge, 21. Michael Kouta, 25. Aedon Kyra (16. Sean Symons 63’), 38. Yianni Nicolaou
Substitutes Not Used: 12. Anthony Bouzanis
Yellow Cards: Armson 17’, Ucchino 58’, S. Symons 90’, Sparacino 90’
Red Cards:
Manly United FC: 2. Kieran Paull (18. Lucas Rainbird), 4. James Oates (C), 5. Thomas Fay (12. Kristian Santich), 7. Seiya Kambayashi, 8. Dominic Ferguson (6. Finn Ashton), 9. Benjamin Koop, 10. Bruno Mendes, 19. Alen Aganovic, 20. Levi Kaye, 22. Bilal Belkadi (11. Matthew Sim 66’), 23. Harry McCarthy (31. Marcus Lal 66’)
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Jack Greenwood
Yellow Cards: McCarthy 17’, Mendes 90’
Red Cards:
Player Ratings:
3 – Jack Stewart (APIA)
2 – Seiya Kambayashi (MU)
1 – Fabian Monge (APIA
By Jack George (@JackGeorge0004)