Court ‘in session’ at Cromer Park
Max Court sealed a dramatic 2-2 draw at Cromer Park, rising highest in the 87th minute to power home a thumping header and secure a vital point for APIA Leichhardt against Manly United in their Round Three National Premier Leagues NSW clash on Friday night.
Friday night delivered a showcase of spectacular goals, highlighted by a stunning Darcy Burgess free kick, as Manly at least temporarily climbed to third on the ladder.
The contest ignited from the opening whistle. Inside the first minute, Manly defender Aaron O’Driscoll misjudged Michael Kouta’s long ball, while in the fourth minute APIA goalkeeper Oliver Kalac narrowly beat Ayumu Kimura in a footrace to the ball — an early sign of the knife-edge nature that would define the encounter.
Moments later, former Manly attacker Seiya Kambayashi saw his delivery headed clear near the box by Kimura, before Max Martinello turned defence into attack with a surging run down the flank.
Between the 12th and 14th minutes, both Kalac and Mackenzie Syron were called into action, each punching away dangerous efforts. Syron again proved decisive in the 29th minute, racing off his line to clear ahead of a lurking Konestabo.
Konestabo remained a constant threat, but was denied in the 36th minute when Martinello produced a perfectly timed slide tackle to snuff out another opportunity.
The breakthrough came five minutes into the second half in remarkable fashion. Michael Konestabo, while being pulled down from behind by Luka Krizan, managed to lift the ball over the advancing Syron and into the net to give APIA the lead.
Manly responded in style. A Cameron Fong foul on the edge of the area in the 62nd minute handed the hosts a prime opportunity, and Darcy Burgess made it count, curling a sublime free kick into the back of the net to level the scores.
Buoyed by momentum, Manly struck again in the 67th minute. Luke Nieuwenhof reacted quickest to Stephen De Robillard’s deflected effort, smashing the ball home amid desperate APIA attempts to clear and turning the match on its head.
APIA pressed relentlessly for an equaliser. In the 78th minute, Krizan redeemed himself with a crucial slide tackle to deny Jack Stewart, forcing a corner and preserving Manly’s slender advantage.
But with three minutes remaining, Max Court delivered the decisive moment. Rising above his markers, he headed home from close range to restore parity in dramatic fashion.
A frantic finale followed, with chances at both ends. However, neither side could find a winner. The drama continued deep into stoppage time as Jasper Chipman received his second yellow card in the 93rd minute, reducing Manly to ten men.
APIA coach Franco Parisi reflected on the contest post-match.
“The first half was tight, but we opened them up twice — the first time they’ve conceded this season. We scored, then they scored twice and we let ourselves down, but we responded again.”
“As the game wore on there were more and more spaces, which was natural.”
“It was a fair result, and it was played in great spirit. Both sides wanted to win.”
Match Stats
Manly United 2 (Darcy Burgess 63’, Luke Nieuwenhof 67’)
APIA Leichhardt 2 (Michael Konestabo 50’, Max Court 87’)
Friday 20 February, 2026
Cromer Park
Referee: Eric Saba
Assistant Referees: Patrick Teleki and Vicky Clark
Fourth Official: Jackson Tippett
Manly United: 2.Luka Krizan, (3.Matthew O’Donoghue 65’), 4.Jesse Piriz, 5.Aaron O’Driscoll, 6.Saxon Hillyer, (7.Stephen De Robillard 65’), (8.Kakeru Ono 53’), (9.Benjamin Koop 53’), 10.Darcy Burgess, 11.Ayumu Kimura, 15.Max Martinello, 18.Luke Nieuwenhof, 19.Cai Evans, 33.Jasper Chipman, 99.Mackenzie Syron
Substitutes not used: 12.Mitchell Seamen, 14.Max Walker, 21.Harry Turner
Yellow Cards: Jasper Chipman 75’, 93‘, Luke Nieuwenhof 86’
Red Cards: Jasper Chipman 93’
APIA Leichhardt: 1.Oliver Kalac, 2.Seiya Kambayashi, (7.Jack Stewart 65’), 8.Michael Konestabo, 9.Presley Ortiz, (11.Rory Jordan 70’), (14.Max Court 85’), 16.Sean Symons, 17.Jordan Segreto, 19.Fabian Monge, 21.Michael Kouta, 22.Edward Caspers, 24.Cameron Fong, (26.Oscar Gonzalez 85’), 28.Kyle Shaw, (99.Franco Farinella 65’)
Substitutes not used: 27.Henry Gifford, 30.Alex Denmead
Yellow Cards: Michael Konestabo 28’, Cameron Fong 62’, Michael Kouta 89’, Sean Symons 96’
Red Cards: None
Player Ratings
3 – Michael Konestabo (APIA)
2 – Luke Nieuwenhof (MU)
1 – Darcy Burgess (MU)
-By Tobias Canning
