APIA Leichhardt put in a Premiership worthy performance on Sunday night as they deservedly defeated high flying NWS Spirit 3-0 at Lambert Park.
The home team set the pace from the outset and a fine goal to Rhianna Pollicina had them up 1-0 at half time.
Ash Crofts then doubled the advantage from the spot in the second half before Holly McNamara rounded off the scoring late on.
It wasn’t Spirit’s best performance of the season and Tiana Gauci’s team will no doubt bounce back in the coming weeks.
The visitors did have the first chance of the game, trying to transition from defence to attack quickly, the ball broke for Rola Badawiya in space, only for the striker’s effort to sting the palms of Morgan Aquino.
APIA went down the other end, Sophie Hoban showing great fight to get passed her defender before crossing to the near post, finding the head of Crofts who beat Mio Nemoto but not the upright.
Less than 60 seconds later and APIA was in front.
Tash Prior spotted the forward movement of Pollicina and found her with a sublime long ball, the touch and finish from APIA’s number 10 was immaculate as she buried her effort into the top corner.
Shortly after, APIA should have made it two.
This time Tanya Borazio created problems down the right flank, delivering a low cross into the box which wasn’t dealt with.
McNamara was quickest to react, blasting an effort goalwards, only for it to rebound off the crossbar.
Against the run of play, Spirit almost had a goal of their own.
A defence splitting pass found Morgan Roberts, driving through the middle, unable to get any power on her shot as Aquino gathered the ball calmly.
Ten minutes from half time, again APIA went close.
A short corner between McNamara and Pollicina saw some space open of for the latter, only for Nemoto to make a crucial finger tip save.
After the break it was APIA with the first chance as Borazio lifted another ball into the box, Charlotte Young heading down but Crofts unable to react in time.
Moments later and APIA had the opportunity to extend the lead from the spot.
Pollicina was brought down in the area, Crofts stepped up and despite Nemoto picking the right way, their was too much power behind the penalty as APIA went two to the good.
Spirit was given a lifeline as they were awarded a penalty of their own for a foul on Rachel Perrins.
Sarah Morgan picked up the ball and the normally trusty left foot sent the spot kick well over the bar as Spirit’s opportunity went begging.
Spirit continued to push as Badawiya and Roberts had good opportunities comfortably saved by Aquino.
In the final moments of the game, APIA found their third.
Bella Habuda showed all her speed to get beyond her defender before crossing a fantastic ball into the far post for the on-rushing McNamara who finished in style.
Spencer Prior’s team picked up their first win after three games without a win and will look to go on with the job now and secure the Premiership.
Match Stats
APIA Leichhardt 3 (Pollicina 18’, Crofts 58’, McNamara 90+2’)
NWS Spirit 0
Sunday, 2 July, 2023
Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt: 90. Aquino, 2. Cicco, 3. Borazio 4. Prior, 9. McNamara, 10. Pollicina (14. Coco-Di Sipio), 11. Crofts (5. Pipino), 16. Fragale (17. Bozanic), 18. Hoban (7. Habuda), 24. Young, 32. Daczko.
Substitutes: 1. Magus, 37. Milton.
NWS Spirit: 21. Nemoto, 2. Perrins, 3. Pridmore, 4. Morgan, 7. K. Buchanan, 10. Badawiya, 11. Abdul Massih, 12. Tavares, 13. Roberts, 16. E. Buchanan (34. Jensen), 17. Stanic-Floody.
Substitutes: 1. Offer, 8. Schembri, 18. Casha, 19.Holder, 32. Halmarick.
By – Nikola Pozder