Mariners no match for rampaging APIA
APIA Leichhardt FC got its maiden victory of the 2025 National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW season in devastating fashion defeating a young Central Coast Mariners outfit 6-2 at Pluim Park on Sunday.
The visitors were on the front foot from the opening whistle as they looked to find the opener.
APIA made it 1-0 in the 10th minute as Franco Parisi’s troops wasted no time. Jack Stewart combined well with Presley Ortiz who found Jordan Segreto to finish well.
Central Coast Mariners tried to find a quick response with Ben Mewett skewing wide on the counter.
It wasn’t to be the hosts day as APIA Leichhardt FC scored their second in the 21st minute. Ortiz turned well inside the box and threaded home for 2-0.
Segreto was at the heart of almost every APIA chance in the first half. The former Mariner found space inside the box and shot right at keeper Joel Wade.
APIA soon made it 3-0 before the half hour mark again through Ortiz. Segreto cushioned the pass for the attacker to fire home off the post in the 29th minute.
The chances kept coming for the visitors. Themba Muata-Marlow unfurled a long range effort which Wade tipped over then Stewart had a straight shot.
Central Coast Mariners pulled it back to 3-1 in the 53rd minute with the home crowd sensing a possible comeback. The corner was swung in and Zayd Kassaby nodded home.
APIA Leichhardt looked to restore their advantage from a set piece. Segreto tried to curl the attempt but it fizzed wide.
The visitors added fourth which all but ended the Mariners hopes of gaining something from this match in the 64th minute through Michael Kouta. It was a delightful pass from substitute Alex Denmead which found Kouta to blast home for 4-1.
APIA Leichhardt FC made it 5-1 in the 72nd minute. The corner found Muata-Marlow who nodded it to the far post and Denmead found the back of the net.
Lawrence Taylor brought an instant impact when he was subbed on. The youngster drove forward and rocketed a shot in the bottom corner for 5-2 in the 80th minute.
APIA went close to hitting the Mariners for six. Denmead played in Seiya Kambayashi who squared it to substitute Max Court but was unable to stab it home.
The visitors pushed forward again late in the game. Kambayashi put it right on the head of substitute Sean Symons who craned his effort over.
APIA Leichhardt FC made it 6-2 in the 90th minute. Adrian Ucchino put Ortiz through and he finished well for his hat-trick, a first of many for his new club.
The visitors were able to see out the last minutes of the game and APIA Leichhardt FC earned their first three points of the season in stunning fashion.
Match Stats
Central Coast Mariners FC 2 (Kassaby ’53 Taylor ‘80)
APIA Leichhardt FC 6 (Segreto ’10 Ortiz ’21 ’29 ‘90 Kouta ’64 Denmead ‘72)
Sunday 16 February 2025
Pluim Park
Referee: Logan Jones
Assistant Referees: Travis Griffith & Hugo Fonseca
Fourth Official: Jackson Mackie
Central Coast Mariners FC: 2. Luca Pecora, 4. Rocco Smith, 5. Ben Mewett, 7. Ayouk Mow (23. Lawrence Taylor ’77), 9. Ahmad Elhelou (17. Jesse Mantell ’45), 11. Jai Rose, 15. Freddie Clunas (24. Kye Schumacher ’45), 19. Prayaag Thapa, 21. Muginga Mpota (39. Harper Ryles ’63), 25. Zayd Kassaby (14. Angus Reid ’77), 40. Joel Wade
Unused subs: 20. Jared Williams
Yellow cards: Mow ’58 Taylor ‘89
Red cards: nil
APIA Leichhardt FC: 2. Seiya Kambayashi, 5. Dredon Kelly, 7. Jack Stewart (29. Maksim Kasalovic ’63), 8. Joel Bertolissio, 9. Presley Ortiz, 15. Themba Muata-Marlow, 17. Jordan Segreto (14. Max Court ’68), 21. Michael Kouta (16. Sean Symons ’68), 22. Eddie Caspers (30. Alex Denmead ’63), 80. Oliver Kalac, 99. Franco Farinella (18. Adrian Ucchino ’72)
Unused subs: 1. Anthony Bouzanis
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings:
3: Jordan Segreto (APIA)
2: Presley Ortiz (APIA)
1: Eddie Caspers (APIA)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
