United 58 prove too strong for APIA

Sydney United 58 edged out APIA Leichhardt 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Sydney United Sports Centre in a thrilling encounter with Ante Juric’s men gaining a much needed three points for the second successive week.  

In a high-paced first half, United 58 went in front within 16 minutes through Bailey Rule before Eddie Caspers equalised just after the half-hour mark.

In the second period, Mason Wells proved the hero for United 58 scoring in the 61st minutes to win the points for the home side.

The visitors suffered a significant blow within the first 30 seconds when star defender Themba Muata-Marlow went down clutching his knee and needed to be taken off.

United 58 had a great chance to open the scoring in the 10th minute. The ball rolled out to Wells in the right of the box, but he dragged his shot narrowly past the left post.

The hosts came forward again 13 minutes in through Rule, who snatched the ball in midfield, drove forward and lashed a strike just over the top.

United 58’s positive play paid off three minutes later as they took the lead.

Matthew Hatch escaped down the left, dribbling further into the box before sliding the ball across to Rule for a simple close-range finish.

The side had the ball in the goal again in the 27th minute as Lacalandra steered home a scrappy finish, but was flagged offside.

Hatch was the standout for United 58 in the first 30 minutes, with his consistent distribution and diligent running propelling his team forward.

However, the visitors pulled their way back into the game in the 32nd minute. Seiya Kambayashi clipped a delicate left-sided cross toward Caspers, who steered a composed header into the goal.

APIA’s equaliser swung the momentum in their favour with Kambayashi coming close twice over the next eight minutes.

In the 41st minute, Caspers nearly had his second goal as United 58 goalkeeper Tristan Prendergast tipped over his left-footed curler on the turn.

An exhilarating first half concluded with the scores level despite plenty of chances falling both ways.

Carlos De Oliveira had the first chance of the second half 10 minutes for United 58, firing a shot from the edge of the box that Oliver Kalac saved well.

The side retook the lead just after the hour mark. De Oliveira mazed his way up the pitch before sliding a pass to Wells in the right of the area who slotted an accurate finish in off the left post.

De Oliveira was involved again for United 58 in the 79th minute when he blasted an effort from outside the box that Kalac palmed over.

United 58 continued to probe for further goals in the final 10 minutes, but they were also wary of APIA’s threat as they targetted snatching a late point.

In the end, the score stayed the same as United 58 grabbed another win to continue on their good run of form in the NPL Men’s NSW while it was a poor result for APIA who have high expectations in challenging for this year’s Premiership.

Match Stats

Sydney United 58 FC 2 (Bailey Rule 16’, Mason Wells 61’)

APIA Leichhardt FC 1 (Eddie Caspers 32’)

Sunday 6 April 2025

Sydney United Sports Centre

Referee: Logan Jones

Assistant Referees: Matthew Harris and Aaron Bloch

Fourth Official: Blake Sanchez-Cruz

Sydney United 58 FC: 1. Tristan Prendergast, 3. Bailey Rule, 4. Adrian Vlastelica, 8. Mario Shabow (15. Tariq Maia 45+1’), 10. Carlos De Oliveira, 11. Matthew Hatch, 13. Alessandro Lacalandra (9. Patrick Antelmi 62’), 14. Liam McGing, 17. Michael Glassock, 23. Mason Wells, 32. Leroy Jennings (22. Stephan De Robillard 75’)

Substitutes Not Used: 16. Anthony Krilic, 31. Josip Orlovic, 43. Michael Pratezina

Yellow Cards: Liam McGing 64’

Red Cards: Nil

APIA Leichhardt FC: 80. Oliver Kalac, 2. Seiya Kambayashi, 6. Anthony Sparacino, 7. Jack Stewart (30. Alex Denmead 68’), 8. Joel Bertolissio, 9. Presley Ortiz, 15. Themba Muata-Marlow (5. Dredon Kelly 3’), 16. Sean Symons (11. Rory Jordan 68’), 17. Jordan Segreto 18. Adrian Ucchino (99. Franco Farinella 81’), 22. Eddie Caspers (29. Maksim Kasalovic 81’)

Substitutes Not Used: 1. Anthony Bouzanis

Yellow Cards: 

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings: 

3 – Matthew Hatch (SU58)

2 – Carlos De Oliveira (SU58)

1 – Eddie Caspers (AL)

Report by Tim Gibson