Wanderers hit for six by ruthless APIA
APIA Leichhardt returned to winning ways after a stunning 6-1 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers at Lambert Park.
The match was always expected to be a goals-fest and it certainly delivered in the first half.
APIA started off strong, keeping possession in their half and attacking the goal early on. Jordan Segreto was the first one to strike, keeping his red hot form and blasting through the Wanderers’ defence to deliver APIA their first goal of the match just six minutes in.
APIA kept the momentum going for much of the opening period, with a brief Wanderers run cut short by an injury to skipper Jesse Cameron who was subbed off just 18 minutes in.
A penalty appeal from APIA after Segreto was taken down in the box by the new substitute Lachlan Tilt was waved off by referee Craig Fisher.
APIA struck once again at the half hour mark with a brilliant solo run from Presley Ortiz capped off with a brilliant strike into the back of the net to double the home team’s lead.
It was tripled just five minutes later as Jack Stewart managed to find the corner of the net from a tight angle for a 3-0 lead.
Five minutes later and the Wanderers responded with an awkward strike from Nicholas Badolato somehow making it past the APIA defence. However APIA clawed back their three-point lead before the break as Ortiz made it a brace, scoring off a great cross from Seiya Kambayashi.
The second half may have had less goals but was no less entertaining.
The Wanderers tried to make a quick start with a speedy Luka Knezevic almost outrunning his defender, but Joel Bertolissio made a clutch tackle to stop the attack. APIA had a couple of solid chances in the opening minutes, with the best once again coming from Ortiz.
It was fresh-faced substitute Alex Denmead that finally added another goal to the scoreboard at the hour mark, converting a solid cross from Jack Stewart for a 5-1 lead with half an hour to go.
APIA were keeping possession well in the final 30 and were clearly looking for that sixth goal. Denmead had the opportunity to join Ortiz on a brace with five minutes left in regulation, but despite getting clear of his defender right in front of goal, he sent his shot wide and out for a goal kick.
A sixth goal finally came APIA’s way in stoppage time as a brilliant Bertolissio cross found Kambayashi for the 6-1 win.
APIA coach Franco Parisi said his team is really finding its form.
“It was some really sexy football,” Parisi said.
“If you look at the goals, there’s some real special moments in there, whether it’s the shot, whether it’s the build up or that’s the finish, there’s some sexy football in there.
“In terms of a collective unit, it was one of the better performances we’ve done so far.”
Match Stats
APIA-Leichhardt FC 6 (Jordan Segreto 6’, Presley Ortiz 30’, 43’, Jack Stewart 35’, Alex Denmead 65’, Seiya Kambayashi 90’)
Western Sydney Wanderers FC 1 (Nicholas Badolato 40’)
Saturday 22nd March 2025
Lambert Park, Leichhardt
Referee: Craig Fisher
Assistant Referees: Joon Park and Mitchell Renton
Fourth Official: Joshua Kermond
APIA-Leichhardt FC: 2. Seiya Kambayashi, 4. Josh Symons, 7. Jack Stewart, 8. Joel Bertolissio, 9. Presley Ortiz (11. Rory Jordan 68’), 15. Themba Muata-Marlow, 16. Sean Symons (6. Anthony Sparacino 68’), 17. Jordan Segreto (30. Alex Denmead 61’), 18. Adrian Ucchino (c) (29. Maksim Kasalovic 61’), 22. Eddie Caspers (99. Franco Farinella 75’), 80. Oliver Kalac (GK)
Substitutes Not Used: 1.Anthony Bouzanis
Yellow Cards: Presley Ortiz 10’
Red Cards: Nil
Western Sydney Wanderers FC: 1.Tristan Vidackovic, 2. Nathan Barrie (12. Joshua Cetinic 62’), 4. Ricky Fransen, 8. Nicholas Badolato, 9. Alaat Abdul-Rahman, 10. Luka Knezevic (29. Edmun Haddad 70’), 18. Awan Lual, 22. Jesse Cameron (c) (5. Lachlan Tilt 19’), 27. Julian Cop, 32. Saxon Hillyer (11. Kaan Nizam 45’), 34. Meliwethu Nkomo (18. Awan Lual 62’)
Substitutes Not Used: 20.Lucas Sinnott (GK)
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Presley Ortiz (APIA)
2 – Jack Stewart (APIA)
1 – Alex Denmead (APIA)
By Katrina May (katrinaa_mayy)
