Sydney United 58 have handed APIA Leichhardt their first home defeat of their National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s, thanks to a late Chris Payne goal at Lambert Park.
In the fourth minute, Patrick Antelmi forced Ivan Necevski into action, as a goal bound left footed shot on the half-turn was tipped over by the APIA custodian.
The home side then sustained a good period of pressure in Sydney United 58, with a rifling shot from Jack Stewart taking a deflection and going out for a corner to finish a sustained attack.
Off the resulting set piece, Joshua Symons rose highest at the back post, but couldn’t direct his effort into the top right corner.
APIA continued to control possession well, and another Stewart effort was deflected narrowly over the bar after a positive counterattack down the right.
The home side continued to play great, possession-based football, manipulating space to open up options to progress the ball.
However, they struggled to find a decisive pass to create shooting opportunities, and Sydney United 58 held well to defend their box, despite APIA’s midfield dominance.
APIA were also dangerous off counter-attacks, as an incisive drive and pass from Stewart on transition saw Aedon Kyra skew a shot from a tight angle.
However, it was Sydney United who found the opener in the 34th minute with a brilliant piece of play.
Andreas Agamemnonos received the ball in between the lines and produced a clever, skilful Maradona spin to shrug off his marker.
He drove diagonally towards the edge of the box before playing a sharp, penetrating pass forward int the space he originally drove away from, wrong-footing APIA’s defence.
His ball found the crisp left foot of Antelmi, who rolled the ball into the back of the net with a clinical, caressed finish.
Sydney United 58 began to exert more authority on the proceedings following their goal, not allowing APIA to dominate in the same fashion as prior to the opener.
On the stroke of halftime, Armson picked up the ball off a progressive Kyra run and poked the ball towards goal with his weaker foot, but Danjiel Nizic stood strong to keep the ball out of the net.
APIA came out positively in the second half, with Kyra forcing multiple corners off deflected efforts from threatening situations.
With his first touch on the field, Glen Trifiro forced a smart save from Necevski off a close-range freekick on the right, with his effort bound for the bottom right corner.
APIA responded with a bottom-right shot of their own, as Stewart forced Nizic to scramble effectively across his goal and make a crucial save.
The home side responded in the 71st minute with a precise volley from Rory Jordan from outside the box.
Stewart continued his outstanding performance with another positive drive down the right, before striking a venomous effort at Nizic.
The goalkeeper did well to parry, but the ball found Jordan outside the box, and the winger made no mistake in striking the ball into the bottom right corner to level the scores at Lambert Park.
In the 76th minute, Christopher Payne latched onto a bouncing ball inside the box and struck a testing effort at Necevski; the goalkeeper responded with a fantastic reactionary save, and one of the best of the 2023 season.
Two minutes later, Jordan cut inside with precision and purpose, before curling an effort just wide of the far post from the left flank.
In the 87th minute, it was Sydney United 58 who found the decisive goal.
Matthew Bilic latched onto a stray ball on the right and beat his marker with a wonderful piece of skill, before cutting the ball back to Payne.
The experienced striker made no mistake in converting into the back of the net, rolling home a clinical effort into the bottom left-hand corner.
In the 89th minute, Joshua Symons forced Nizic into a fantastic save, as the goalkeeper reached down to prevent the ball from finding the far left corner after a headered effort.
The Sydney United 58 goalkeeper had been playing exceptionally with an injury that was visible after the concession, with Nizic struggling to move freely and take goal kicks.
However, when required, he stepped in heroically.
Moving into stoppage time, Sydney United 58 continued to withstand heavy pressure from APIA in a thoroughly intense, exhilarating end to the match.
Sydney United 58 coach Miro Vlastelica was happy with the result in what was an intense affair at Lambert Park.
“We knew we were going to be in for a battle.
“APIA is a quality team, they’re not top of the league for no reason.
“But credit to my boys; we played the midweek game, we’re down on numbers at the moment and to pull off a result at Lambert was massive.
“I’m super proud of the whole group.”
Meanwhile, APIA coach Franco Parisi was pleased with his side’s performance, stating they deserved more from the clash.
“I was very happy with our performance; we definitely deserved better.
“It’s very disappointing when you’re playing good football and teams are coming here now to defend, and that’s what they did.”
Match Stats
APIA Leichhardt 1 (Jordan 71’)
Sydney United 58 FC 2 (Antelmi 34’, Payne 88’)
Sunday 4 June, 2023
Lambert Park
Referee: Kurt Ams
Assistant Referees: Matt Staples and Matthew Harris
Fourth Official: Jackson Mackie
APIA Leichhardt FC: 1. Ivan Necevski, 4. Joshua Symons, 6. Anthony Sparacino, 7. Jack Stewart, 14. Jack Armson, 17. Rory Jordan (8. Diego Celis 81’), 18. Adrian Ucchino (C), 19. Fabian Monge, 21. Michael Mouta, 23. Dakota Askew, 25. Aedon Kyra (16. Sean Symons 65’)
Substitutes Not Used: 12. Anthony Bouzanis, 38. Yianni Nicolaou, 63. Joshua Lazzaro, 64. Luke Prsa
Yellow Cards: S. Symons 90’
Red Cards:
Sydney United 58 FC: 1. Danijel Nizic, 3. Bailey Rule, 4. Adrian Vlastelica (C), 5. Anthony Tomelic, 9. Patrick Antelmi (11. Yianni Perkatis 58’), 10. Devante Clut (18. Glen Trifiro 53’), 12. Hiyori Kawaguchi, 14. Andreas Agamemnonos (6. Christopher Payne 53’), 16. Ante Bakmaz, 17. Matthew Bilic, 21. Yianni Fragogiannis
Substitutes Not Used: 13. Alessandro Lacalandra, 20. Luke Cukar
Yellow Cards: Bilic 81’
Red Cards:
Player ratings:
3 – Matthew Bilic (SU)
2 – Jack Stewart (APIA)
1 – Danijel Nizic (SU)
By Jack George (@JackGeorge0004)
