APIA return to the top of the table with victory over Wolves

APIA Leichhardt FC returned to the top of the NPL Men’s NSW ladder with a 2-0 victory over the Wollongong Wolves at Macedonia Park on Saturday night.

After a tightly contested opening period, goals either side of half-time from Cameron Fong and Presley Ortiz secured all three points for the visitors despite a determined effort from the Wolves.

The Wolves entered the match looking to return to form following back-to-back losses, while APIA were aiming to return to the top of the table after two wins in a row.

Both sides started brightly and playing free-flowing attacking football with Alex Masciovecchio and Lucas Trajcevski firing shots from distance for the Wolves, and captain Lachlan Scott coming close with a header.

APIA striker Presley Ortiz started strong and was making intelligent runs and fired an early warning shot at Wolves goalkeeper Daniel Solsky.

The match was turning into a tight, cagey affair with Wollongong midfielder Trajcevski having the best chance early for the Wolves when his volley forced APIA goalkeeper Oliver Kalac into a stunning diving save in the 21^st minute.

APIA went close to taking the lead in the 27^th minute when a volley from Rory Jordan came back off the post after a brilliant chip over the top of the Wolves defence from Seiya Kambayashi, following some wonderfully worked build up play with Ortiz.

Jordan was proving to be a handful for the Wolves defence and tested Solsky again a few minutes later when he beat numerous Wollongong defenders and got a shot away, however his shot was straight at the Wolves goalkeeper.

APIA were starting to control the match and were creating the better chances with captain Michael Kouta firing into the side netting in the 32^nd minute after a well-constructed team move.

APIA’s dominance was rewarded in the 43^rd minute when they took the lead thanks to a header from Cameron Fong. The ball was crossed from Ortiz down the right, with Jordan heading the ball back across goal into the path of Fong who slotted his header past Solsky.

The first half came to a close with APIA registering eight shots with seven on target, while the Wolves had two shots on target.

APIA made a dream start to the second half when they doubled their lead in the 47^th minute when a deflected shot from Ortiz looped into the goal, with the wicked deflection giving Solsky no chance.

Wolves striker Scott nearly hit back a few minutes later when he raced through on goal and was one-on-one with Kalac, however he slipped just as he was about to get his shot away.

Ortiz was proving to be a handful for the Wolves defence and the APIA striker went close to adding a third goal when his shot forced Solsky into a brilliant diving save.

APIA continued to dominate and were creating numerous chances with the Wolves defence scrambling well as they kept their team in the game.

The Wolves nearly hit APIA on the counter attack in the 58^th minute when winger Sebastian Hernandez found space in the box on the right and fizzed his shot just wide after a nice spin and lay off from Flynn Madden.

The game was starting to open up and APIA nearly added a third goal in the 60^th minute when a header from Ortiz came back off the post after a perfect cross from substitute Max Court.

The Wolves had a big chance to get back into the game when Hernandez picked up a long ball from Solsky and raced through on goal and was one-on-one with Kalac, however the goalkeeper produced a good save with his feet to deny the Wollongong winger.

Wollongong were looking dangerous and Hernandez had another chance in the 75^th minute when his volley went just wide after a switch of play from Wolves midfielder Marcus Beattie.

APIA had a chance to finish off the game in the 88^th minute when substitute Oscar Gonzalez cut inside on his right and fired a shot away that was heading into the top right hand corner, however Solsky produced a good save to keep the Wolves in the game.

The Wolves continued to push forward as they chased the game, however the APIA defence remained strong as they claimed a 2-0 win and returned to the top of the table.

Next up for the Wolves is a Round 20 home game against Sydney FC, while APIA are away to Blacktown City FC on Sunday afternoon.

Match Stats

Wollongong Wolves FC: 0

APIA Leichhardt FC: 2 (Cameron Fong 43’, Presley Ortiz 47’)

Saturday June 13, 2026

Macedonia Park

Referee: Luke Chapman

Assistant Referees: Arinath Gobinath and Hayden Kaye

Fourth Official: Rowan Fisher

Wollongong Wolves FC: 1. Daniel Solsky, 4. Dylan Ryan, 5. Banri Kanaizumi, 8. Sebastian Duarte, 10. Flynn Madden (77. Dylan King 65’), 11. Sebastian Hernandez, 15. Dax Kelly, 16. Lucas Trajcevski (18. Kazuya Yamamura 65’), 17. Marcus Beattie, 24. Lachlan Scott (C), 25. Alex Masciovecchio (14. Noah Mathie 73’)

Substitutes not used: 2. Kristian Butkovic, 7. Felipe D’Agostini, 9. Jack McClatchie, 19. Max Cunial

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil

APIA Leichhardt FC: 1. Oliver Kalac, 2. Seiya Kambayashi (30. Alex Denmead 65’), 4. Eijin Kishimoto (16. Sean Symons 53’), 8. Michael Konestabo (14. Max Court 53’), 9. Presley Ortiz (Oscar Gonzalez 84’), 11. Rory Jordan, 21. Michael Kouta (C), 22. Edward Caspers, 24. Cameron Fong, 25. Kyle Shaw, 99. Franco Farinella (3. Navid Alizada 84’)

Substitutes not used: 19. Fabian Monge, 20. Alexander Parkes

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Rory Jordan (APIA Leichhardt FC)

2 – Presley Ortiz (APIA Leichhardt FC)

1 – Daniel Solsky (Wollongong Wolves FC)

Report by Joel Martelli