APIA secures narrow win at Lambert Park
Update 17/06/2025: The Football NSW Competitions Department has confirmed the final result will stand.
APIA Leichhardt secured a 1-0 win over Blacktown City at Lambert Park.
It was APIA who struck first in this fabled fixture, with the home side finding the lead inside six minutes off a set piece.
After a bright start, a delightful Sean Symons corners was met strongly by the head of Dredon Kelly, who forced a good save from Cayden Henderson.
However, Michael Kouta had gambled on the rebound, and the central defender was first to the ball to convert it into the net, giving APIA an important lead in this top-six clash.
APIA kicked on following their opener, looking calm and composed playing in Blacktown’s half, and were denied a second in the 17th minute as Henderson saved a stringing shot from Seiya Kambayashi.
The sides traded chances shortly after, with Blacktown’s Maksim Jez striking just wide, before Segreto was denied a one-on-one with Henderson thanks to a brilliant tackle from Travis Major.
In the 32nd minute APIA had another good chance, which was created by brilliant work from Kambayashi, who beat his man on the left touchline before driving in behind.
The winger then played a ball into the feet of Jordan Segreto in the box, who saw his shot blocked, before Eddie Caspers also had his effort re-directed.
The ball fell to Jack Stewart at the back post, whose header was saved wonderfully by Henderson, to keep APIA’s lead to one.
Three minutes later the home side had another good chance, as a short corner found the head of Sean Symons at the far post, but he couldn’t find the target from close range.
APIA began the second half strongly, with Segreto forcing yet another save out of Henderson.
In the 66th minute, Blacktown had a major chance as a brilliant ball from Martin Fernandez found Mitch Mallia in the box.
Mallia took a perfect first touch to escape the pressure of his marker, but then saw his shot drag just wide, as a save from Oliver Kalac did enough to deflect it onto the post and out of harms way.
APIA responded with a chance shortly after, as a shot from Denmead was parried away once again by Henderson, who was having a brilliant game.
The final stages of the match saw APIA comfortably protecting their 1-0 lead, but just as the match looked to move into extra time, bursts of thunder and lightning disrupted play, with the match suspended.
Match Stats
APIA Leichhardt FC 1 (Kouta 6’)
Blacktown City FC 0
Sunday 15 June, 2025
Lambert Park
Referee: Jake Rose
Assistant Referees: Cameron Wright and Damien Delovski
Fourth Official: Matt Staples
APIA Leichhardt FC: 80. Oliver Kalac, 2. Seiya Kambayashi, 5. Dredon Kelly, 7. Jack Stewart, 8. Joel Bertolissio, 16. Sean Symons (C), 17. Jordan Segreto (30. Alex Denmead 57’), 21. Michael Kouta, 22. Eddie Caspers, 24. Cameron Fong, 99. Franco Farinella
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Anthony Bouzanis, 4. Josh Symons, 9. Presley Ortiz, 14. Max Court, 18. Adrian Ucchino
Yellow Cards: Stewart 85’
Red Cards: None
Blacktown City FC: 1. Cayden Henderson, 4. Lachlan Campbell, 5. Grant Lynch, 6. Adam Berry, 7. Travis Major (C), 9. Keanu Moore (3. Jarred McKinley 45’ (8. Jak O’Brien 76’)), 11. Danny Choi (10. Maksim Jez 17’), 14. Mitchell Mallia, 17. Martin Fernandez (16. Benjamin Berry 68’), 18. Nicholas O’Brien, 24. Jackson Bandiera (23. Jakob Cresnar 76’)
Substitutes Not Used: 30. Willian Kinghan
Yellow Cards: Jez 85’
Red Cards: None
Player ratings:
3 – Eddie Caspers (APIA)
2 – Cayden Henderson (BC)
1 – Seiya Kambayashi (APIA)
By Jack George (@JackGeorge0004)
