APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Manly United Abandoned
THE match between APIA-Leichhardt Tigers and Manly United was abandoned after a problem with one of the light towers at Lambert Park.
APIA held a 1-0 lead thanks to a fifth minute goal from Blake Powell. Marc Warren, deputising for Michael West as captain and playing in central midfield, spread the ball to the left to David D’Apuzzo.
His cross found Joe Gibbs at the near post, but his connection wasn’t true, but his attempted finish turned into an assist for Powell, who tapped in with little problem at the back post.
APIA were in charge with Warren proving to be a physical presence in midfield and Gibbs and Powell troublesome up front.
The light tower went out in the 10′ minute and play was suspended. Once they were back in action, Manly got on the front foot and had a shot that went narrowly wide from James Oates.
APIA should have doubled their lead in the 28′ minute when Warren advanced on goal, but instead of shooting he passed to Brad McDonald, who was in an offside position.
With 31′ minutes on the clock, the lights went out again and play was again suspended.
Manly coach Paul Dee was keen to get his side off the field while APIA were obviously desperate to carry on. The lights were warming up as the match was abandoned, amid slightly farcical scenes of full brightness at Lambert Park.
Football NSW has advised that the match will be played from the 31′ minute and with APIA’s 1-0 lead intact, at a later date.
Match Stats
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 1 (Blake Powell 5′)
Manly United 0
Saturday June 14, 2014
Lambert Park, Leichhardt
Referee: Adam Susz
Assistant Referees: Andrej Giev and Mitchell Clark
Fourth Official: Lachlan Daniel
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers: 1.Andrew Bazi; 2.Travis Oughtred, 4.Bradley Bartels, 6.Marc Warren (C), 7.Stephen Kayes, 8.Bradley McDonald, 9.Blake Powell, 10.Franco Parisi, 13.David D’Apuzzo, 14.Paul Galimi, 19.Joe Gibbs
Substitutes not used: 40.Stefan Giglio, 3.Jamie Lobb,11.Daniel Fogarty, 16.Jordan Simpson, 20.Ali Nasreddine
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Manly United: 1.Dylan Mitchell; 2.James Oates, 3.Leigh Egger, 4.Graeme Forbes (C),5.Joshua Lawson, 6.Josh Ward, 9.Christopher Payne, 10.Brendan Cholakian, 15.Rhys Williams, 21.Patrick Weir, 31.Dylan Whitlock
Substitutes not used: 20.Tonu Liiband, 8.Daniel Grant,11.Roberto Speranza, 12.Dominic Ferguson, 22.Jack Green
Yellow Cards: Graeme Forbes 18′
Red Cards: Nil
NB: The match was abandoned after 31′ minutes and will be continued from that point at a later date.
– By Matthew Lopez, National Premier Leagues NSW Mens 1 Editor, at Lambert Park
