Rangers in trouble as APIA secure three valuable points
NPL Men’s NSW finals aspirants APIA Leichhardt FC inflicted more pain on current cellar dwellers Mount Druitt Town Rangers following a 2-0 win at Popondetta Park on Sunday.
The match was scheduled for Saturday night however there were light issues which prompted the game to be pushed on Sunday where the match commenced from the 16th minute.
The first chance fell to Eddie Caspers as the APIA star surged past a defender and bent an effort wide of the mark.
The Rangers responded with a shot of their own as Abraham Majok unfurled his shot which flew past the post.
APIA Leichhardt FC continued to be the dominant side. Sean Symons forced Rangers keeper Dylan Niski into a save from a corner then Maksim Kasalovic was denied.
The game was stopped in the 16th minute due to a lighting failure and resumed on Sunday afternoon for the remainer of the time.
It got back underway with a throw in, and APIA Leichhardt went straight back on the front foot with former Ranger Jack Stewart spraying his shot wide.
Next up was Rory Jordan who wriggled free of his defender and whistled an effort past Niski’s post as the visitors looked for the opener.
The Rangers chances were limited with their only real one coming from Caleb Jackson-Brown who tried his luck from range.
Eventually, Rowan Fisher blew his whistle to bring one of the longer first halves to an end with the score at 0-0.
Yuta Komura was a spark down the wing for the Rangers. He put in a cross which Majok couldn’t turn home.
APIA Leichhardt made it 1-0 in the 55th minute after absorbing some pressure with Franco Farinella producing a well taken finish to find the back of the net.
Morita tried to get a goal back for the Rangers quickly. He won a free-kick and opted to take it but crashed it against the wall.
The visitors punished them immediately and made it 2-0. Stewart had neat ball played through to him and the confident attacker took the opportunity smashing one past his former club.
APIA Leichhardt were in full flight after their second goal. Some incisive passing saw them go inside the box as Niski was tested again.
The Rangers rung in the changes in the hope of salvaging something from the game.
Rangers Substitute William Rankin was found inside the box and forced APIA shot stopper Oliver Kalac into a save.
The visitors continued to search for a third goal. Caspers found space again and his shot was denied by Niski.
APIA Leichhardt looked to add to their tally in stoppage time. Caspers was denied twice in quick succession by Niski.
It was another big three points for APIA Leichhardt in their chase for the title heading into the final month.
It will be a big week for the Inner West side who take on Melbourne City in the HAHN Australia Cup Round of 32 on Wednesday at Leichhardt Oval with a big crowd expected to be on hand to hopefully witness a ‘Cupset’.
Post-match APIA Leichhardt FC boss Franco Parisi was delighted with his side picking up another three points against a team battling for survival.
“It started last night and finished today but three points and a clean sheet is perfect.
“We love coming here on the grass pitch but we got the job done.
“The three points is what everyone is playing for at this point of the season.” said Parisi.
While Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC coach Ben Rollison reflected on what was a tough match for his relegation threatened squad.
“I thought APIA deserved the win in the end but we had a chance early to go up and if you don’t take them, that’s how football punishes you.
“We have to focus on our performances not the table and I think it will work out if we keep winning games.” said Rollison.
Match Stats
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 0
APIA Leichhardt FC 2 (Farinella ’55 Stewart ‘60)
Saturday 26 July 2025
Popondetta Park
Referee: Rowan Fisher
Assistant Referees: Aaron Bloch & Lucy Hungerford
Fourth Official: Andres Castro
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC: 1. Dylan Niski, 2. Alexander Trajanoski (21. William Rankin ’61), 3. Danilo Doce Monteiro, 6. Jared Macerola, 10. Yuto Morita, 12. Rocco Pelle, 14. Abraham Majok (18. Lachlan Vasiliou ’81), 15. Caleb Jackson-Brown, 17. Stevan Stanic-Floody (27. Shayden Sampow ’61), 29. Yuta Komura (20. Thomas Lopez ’61), 99. Bilal Belkadi (5. Theph Theph ’77)
Unused subs: 16. Stefan Giglio
Yellow cards: Trajanoski ’42 Montiero ’60 Majok ‘80
Red cards: nil
APIA Leichhardt FC: 6. Patrick Flottmann, 7. Jack Stewart (30. Alex Denmead ’65), 8. Joel Bertolissio (21. Michael Kouta ’65), 9. Presley Ortiz (18. Adrian Ucchino ’70), 11. Rory Jordan, 16. Sean Symons, 22. Eddie Caspers, 26. Cameron Fong, 29. Maksim Kasalovic (2. Seiya Kambayashi ’70), 80. Oliver Kalac, 99. Franco Farinella (19. Fabian Monge ’75)
Unused subs: 1. Anthony Bouzanis
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings:
3: Rory Jordan (APIA)
2: Cameron Fong (APIA)
1: Sean Symons (APIA)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
