Epic St George FC fightback silences APIA
APIA Leichhardt FC and St George FC fought out an exhilarating 3-3 draw in Round 6 of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW.
Both sides were coming off wins from the previous round where APIA Leichhardt had defeated Sydney FC while St George picked up their first victory of 2025 with a win over Sutherland Sharks, and both sides were looking to continue to add to their positive results.
The sign outside Lambert Park reads The Home of Football in Australia and this game had all the hallmarks of a classic worthy of such a historic and boutique venue. For the fans present at the clash it was truly a front row seat at something very special indeed.
St George FC led at the break before APIA came out in the second half all guns blazing and scored three quick goals. St George FC gallantly fought back and thanks to a brace from captain Troy Danaskos, they were able to take home a share of the points.
The first real opportunity of the game arrived in the 9th minute and it belonged to APIA Leichhardt. An in-swinging corner reached Joel Bertolissio at the far post but his header was knocked away by the visiting defence.
A St George FC corner in the 21st minute by Jaden Casella was met by APIA’s Themba Muata-Marlow who almost turned it back into his own net, but in the end some aerial ping-pong followed and the ball was eventually hoisted away.
St George FC however didn’t have to wait too long as they hit the lead two minutes later thanks to Bai Antoniou. A delightful through ball reached Casella who had his first time shot blocked by goalkeeper Oliver Kalac, but the ball then made its way to Antoniou on the left and he delightfully threaded it home to beat ‘keeper Kalac at the near post.
In the 26th minute St George had the wind in their sails and were at it again. Antoniou provided a wonderful assist for Casella who beautifully on the half-volley almost found the top right hand corner of the net, but he was thwarted by a great save from Kalac who turned it over for a corner.
On the half hour mark APIA replied through a dangerous shot from just outside the box by Jack Stewart that went diagonally across the face of goal and just wide of the mark.
The game was now well and truly in full swing with action at both ends of the park. In the 33rd minute Sunday Yona’s shot from the left wasn’t too far wide of the mark for the visitors before Jordan Segreto in the 41st minute fired from just outside the box, only to be denied by a low down save from Mackenzie Syron.
The exciting first half finished shortly afterwards with St George FC narrowly ahead.
The second half’s first chance was APIA’s equaliser in the 47th minute through Eddie Caspers who won the ball from the St George defence and then proceeded to slot it into the back of the net. It was all too simple and the start of St George’s disastrous opening ten minutes or so in the second stanza of play.
In the 52nd minute APIA then took the lead and the game was now turned upside down. Segreto was fouled by ‘keeper Syron in the 52nd minute down the left channel of the box and referee Hayden Langholz was perfectly positioned to award the penalty. Stewart stepped up to the spot and scored by sending the ‘keeper the wrong way.
A minute later an intercepted ball ended up with Seiya Kambaysahi who forced Syron into a brilliant one-handed save to deny the home side their third.
In the 56th minute though APIA did score their third and once again it was a simple goal. A corner by Kamabaysahi from the left wasn’t held by a backpedalling Syron and Themba Muata-Marlow at the far post managed to turn in the spoils for his first goal of the season.
In the 76th minute St George FC were awarded a penalty when in an attempt to block a cross from close range, the ball struck the arm of Muata-Marlow who had gone to ground.
The referee once again awarded the spot kick which captain Troy Danaskos fittingly took beating ‘keeper Kalac who dived correctly and got his hand onto the ball but couldn’t prevent it from going in.
Well into stoppage time St George FC struck gold and equalised through a Danaskos rocket. It may have taken a slight deflection but it ended up over the head of Kalac and into the back of the net to give his side a fair share of the points.
After the game Franco Parisi the coach of APIA Leichhardt was partially satisfied with what he had witnessed.
“I was very pleased with the way we came out in the second half,” he said. “We showed great intention and scored some good goals, but the game goes for 90 plus minutes.
“Credit to St George because they didn’t give up but the game is about scoring more than the other team. We are looking to do in the whole match what we did at the start of the second half.
“The heat today was a factor but it’s not an excuse. We showed what we can do and we just needed to follow that through until the end of the match.”
In the opposition dressing room Fabian Miceli, coach of St George FC, was also pleased with many aspects of his side’s play.
“I thought that we were really good in the first half and controlled possession for long periods,” he said. “I think in the first 15 minutes or so in the second half it didn’t work. We try to always play football and out through our backline, but it didn’t work.
“We had 12 available first grade players today and to get this result is great. We fought hard to come back and I am very proud of all our players. We’ll take the point and I am very proud that we fought back.”
When asked about his captain Troy Danaskos he was full of praise. “He is a fantastic leader off and on the pitch.”
Match Stats
APIA LEICHHARDT: 3 (Caspers 47’, Stewart 52’ pen, Muata-Marlow 56’)
St GEORGE FC: 3 (Antoniou 23’, Danaskos 78’ pen, Danaskos 90’+3)
Saturday 15th March 2025
Lambert Park
Referee: Hayden Langholz
Assistant referees: Aaron Bloch, Blake Eastwood
Fourth Official: Blake Sanchez-Cruz
APIA Leichhardt: 80. Oliver Kalac, 2. Seiya Kambayashi (30. Alex Denmead 81’), 4. Josh Symons, 7. Jack Stewart, 8. Joel Bertolissio, 9. Presley Ortiz, 15. Themba Muata-Marlow (5. Dredon Kelly 81’), 17. Jordan Segreto, 18. Adrian Ucchino (41. Nicholas Azzone 66’), 21. Michael Kouta (16. Sean Symons 44’), 22. Eddie Caspers.
Substitutes not used: 1. Anthony Bouzanis, 20. Maksim Kasalovic.
Yellow Card: Bertolissio 58′
Red Cards: Nil
St GEORGE FC: 99. Mackenzie Syron, 3. Troy Danaskos, 5. Nicholas Kalogerou, 6. Patrick O’Shea, 7. Aedan O’Shea (14, Justin Poon 57’), 8. Evangelo Souris, 10. Jaden Casella, 13. Sunday Yona (12. Thomas Dunn 67’), 15. Bai Antoniou (4. Mark Rudic 90’+4), 16. Kaidyn Wright (35. Harrison Farrow 67’), 27. Jayden Seeto.
Substitutes not used: 20. Daniel Axford, 23. Javier Rodriguez.
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Troy Danaskos (StG)
2 – Jack Stewart (AL)
1 – Jaden Casella (StG)
By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Joe Russo
