APIA extends lead at the top with win over Rangers
APIA Leichhardt have gone eight points clear at the top of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s ladder thanks to a 2-1 victory in their Round 19 rescheduled fixture against the Mt Druitt Town Rangers at a wet and wintery Popondetta Park on Tuesday night.
Franco Parisi’s men opened the scoring in the 9th minute through the on-fire Jack Armson before an 80th minute strike from Sean Symons confirmed the three points even though there was a nervous moment following Olayinka Sunmola scoring a free kick in the 91st minute.
The visitors started the game on the front foot. They swung in a corner which was headed wide by Josh Symons in the 4th minute.
APIA Leichhardt found the opener in the 9th minute through Jack Armson. Jason Romero’s initial shot was parried into his patch and Armson tapped home to make it 1-0. It was Armson’s twelfth goal of the NPL NSW Men’s campaign.
They looked to build on their advantage. APIA Leichhardt strode forward and forced Mt Druitt Town Rangers custodian Dylan Niski into a save.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers starting to gain some momentum as the game wore on. Mid-season recruit Shunta Nakamura had an effort fizz wide of the post then Will Harvey shot over the bar as the hosts looked to surprise the league leaders.
Romero tried to double APIA’s advantage from a set piece. He curled his free kick over the wall and forced Niski into a diving save.
The hosts finished the half strong through Jackson Bandiera. The midfielder ran forward and unfurled a shot over the bar as Mt Druitt Town Rangers trailed 1-0 at the break.
Coming out of the break, Mt Druitt Town Rangers had a chance to equalise. Bandiera looped his free kick high but it was taken well by APIA number one Ivan Necevski.
APIA almost doubled their delight through good work from Armson. He snatched the ball and fed it forward but Niski was equal to the task.
Romero was heavily involved for APIA in this game. The striker cut inside and his effort saw Niski dive to his right to claim the ball.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers went close through Will Harvey. The hosts worked the move well on the left before Harvey had the goal wide open but deflected it over.
Playing against his former side, Jack Stewart was keen to get on the scoresheet. He tried to curl one top corner before a flying Niski tipped it over.
APIA Leichhardt doubled their lead in the 80th minute. They strode forward on the counter and Sean Symons rolled the ball home for 2-0.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers clawed a goal back in the 91st minute. Olayinka Sunmola curled his free kick into the bottom corner to make it 2-1.
The hosts had a chance to snatch a point right at the death. Sunmola stood over the free kick again, close to the box but fired it over quickly followed by the final whistle.
Speaking post match, Mt Druitt Town Rangers coach Stewart Montgomery reflected on the defeat for his side against the league leaders:
“We were in the contest at 1-0, had our own chances which didn’t go in but we built pressure in the second half.
“The pressure got relieved with the second goal but we got one back and on another night, we could’ve taken something from that game.” said Montgomery.
For APIA Leichhardt coach Franco Parisi, the three points was huge as they almost certainly put one hand on the Premiership trophy.
“It’s a tough place to come but we’ll take three points.
“It is disappointing to concede late but it made it interesting for the crowd late.
“We’re happy with our work and move into the weekend.
“It’s a cliché but we’re taking it one game at a one.
“The ladder will stay there but we’ll keep moving forward for the last eight games.” said Parisi.
Match Stats
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 1 (Sunmola ‘90+1)
APIA Leichhardt 2 (Armson ‘9. S. Symons ‘80)
Tuesday 4 July 2023
Popondetta Park, Emerton
Referee: Adrian Arndt
Assistant Referees: Matt Staples & Lance Greenshields
Fourth Official: Logan James
Mt Druitt Town Rangers: 2. Solomon-John Monahan-Vaiika (42. Bailey Jacobs ‘77), 5. Jacob Esposito, 6. Jared Macerola, 8. Henry Davies, 10. Kotaro Katsuta (15. Anthony Gallo ‘85), 11. Jackson Bandiera (22. Rhett Desilva ‘64), 12. Will Harvey, 20. Dylan Niski, 21. Tarek Elrich (4. Cooper Coskerie ‘85), 27. Olayinka Sunmola, 40. Shunta Nakamura (43. Abdelelah Faisal ‘85)
Unused subs: 25. Vasos Kartambis
Yellow cards: Harvey ‘66
Red cards: nil
APIA Leichhardt: 1. Ivan Necevski, 4. Joshua Symons, 7. Jack Stewart (30. Alex Denmead ‘81), 9. Jason Romero (17. Rory Jordan ‘77), 14. Jack Armson (98. Franco Farinella ‘81), 15. Thema Muata-Marlow, 16. Sean Symons, 18. Adrian Ucchino (6. Anthony Sparacino ‘77), 19. Fabian Monge, 23. Dakota Askew, 38. Yianni Nicolaou
Unused subs: 8. Florent Indalecio, 42. Sebastian La Luz
Yellow cards: Ucchino ‘68, Sparacino ‘89
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings:
3: Sean Symons (APIA)
2: Jason Romero (APIA)
1: Dylan Niski (MDTR)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
