Six in a row as APIA continues to build its Premiership momentum
APIA Leichhardt have defeated NWS Spirit with a cohesive 2-0 win at Christie Park to earn their sixth victory in a row on a chilly Saturday evening.
After a tense start at Christie Park, it was APIA who had the first major chance of the match.
12 minutes in, NWS Spirit struggled to deal with an inswinging corner from Jordan Segreto, and the ball fell to Josh Symons well inside the box.
The central defender swung at the ball, but his strike went over the crossbar from a threatening position.
APIA began to warm into the match, and were beginning to play their classic free flowing, fluid football.
In the 19th minute, a long range strike off the left boot of Jordan Segreto troubled Christopher Marques, but the shotstopper made a save and saw the rebound cleared.
It took until the 43rd minute, with Spirit’s defence remaining strong, but just before halftime, APIA opened the scoring off a devastatingly clinical move.
A beautiful, searching ball from Adrian Ucchino found Rory Jordan in behind on the left flank.
The winger took an assertive touch to break free of his marker within the box, and poked the ball past Marques, with his shot subsequently finding the back of the net.
12 minutes into the second half, APIA had a chance to make it two, with Ben Gibson stealing in behind, but the striker couldn’t provide a finish to compliment a strong run in behind.
In the 62nd minute, Joshua Symons had another good chance off a corner, with the central defender beating everyone to a low ball, but he couldn’t fashion his effort on target.
Three minutes later, Gibson found himself in behind once more, and gracefully advanced towards Marques, but the striker was foiled by the active goalkeeper, who made an integral save to keep his side in the match.
APIA continued to trouble off corner kicks, with a precarious clearance from Spirit’s defence in the 76th minute almost ending up in their own net, narrowly missing the far post.
In the 79th minute, APIA found their elusive second goal, with Ben Gibson extending his lead as his side’s top goal scorer of the season.
A disguised pass from Sean Symons found the run of Rory Jordan in behind, who held the ball up well in the box before laying it off for a cross.
Gibson attacked the original ball with bravery and intent, and then latched onto the rebound, scrambling onto the ball before converting into an empty net, to find crucially double the away side’s lead.
Gibson had a chance to find his second of the match two minutes later after being released in behind once more, but another good save from Marques kept APIA’s lead to just two.
However, two was enough for APIA, who extended their run of successive victories to six with an important three points earned at Christie Park.
APIA coach Franco Parisi was proud of his side’s victory and clean sheet.
“We obsess over three points and clean sheets so we can tick both of those off,” he said.
“Spirit are an impressive side, especially as Christie Park.
“We knew tonight was going to be a tough task and it was, but credit to Stephan Lucas the referee and Spirit.
“It was an impressive game of football that was freeflowing and a real good game to watch and be part of.
“Of course when you’re winning it’s a nice feeling to be on the better side of a game like that, but genuinely for football lovers and for the league itself today was a great representation of what football should be, and credit to Spirit – they’re growing every season.”
Match Stats
NWS Spirit FC 0
APIA Leichhardt FC 2 (Jordan 43, Gibson 79’’)
Saturday 18 May, 2024
Christie Park
Referee: Stephan Lucas
Assistant Referees: Reece Edwards and Gerrod Young
Fourth Official: Blake Sanchez-Cruz
NWS Spirit FC: 1. Christopher Marques, 3. Kyle Shaw, 4. Jarred Mckinley, 7. Richard Darko (18. Zachary Cianci 80’), 8. Grant Cornwell (C), 10. Michael Konestabo (21. Luiz Lobo 69’), 11. Ollie Wiggin, 13. Simon Nicholas, 16. Ante Bakmaz, 17. Jacob Chidiac (34. Noah Peacock 88’), 20. Jared Lum
Substitutes Not Used: 14. Jacob Sullivan, 31. Joel Wade, 36. Kyah Williams
Yellow Cards: Wiggin 38’
Red Cards: None
APIA Leichhardt FC: 1. Anthony Bouzanis, 4. Josh Symons, 7. Jack Stewart, 9. Ben Gibson (19. Luigi Ditroia 84’), 11. Rory Jordan (30. Alex Denmead 88’), 15. Themba Muata-Marlow, 16. Sean Symons (21. Michael Kouta 84’), 17. Jordan Segreto (14. Jack Armson 67’), 18. Adrian Ucchino, 22. Edward Caspers, 23. Dakota Askew (41. Nicholas Azzone 67’)
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Alexander Parkes
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Player ratings:
3 – Rory Jordan (APIA)
2 – Christopher Marques (NWS)
1 – Ben Gibson (APIA)
By Jack George (@JackGeorge0004)
