APIA Leichhardt took a giant leap toward the 2023 NPL NSW Women’s Premiership with a 3-0 victory over Sydney Olympic at Belmore Sports Ground.
Ash Crofts added another goal to her season tally as she opened the scoring after 15 minutes.
In the second half, Rhianna Pollicina doubled the lead midway through, before a late own goal by Maya Fernandez rounded off the scoring.
With the first chance of the game, Holly McNamara sprung to life, getting into the box before getting clipped on the ankle, the referee pointing to the spot.
Crofts stepped up and calmly dispatched her penalty into the back of the net, Courtney Newbon not moving off the line.
Olympic should have equalised on 26 minutes after a Charlotte Young error, Allira Toby unable to beat Sophie Magus from metres out.
McNamara went close after a fine ball through by Pollicina, only able to hit the side netting.
Next it was Olympic’s turn after Young was dispossessed, Toby played the ball through for Lacie Bowling who could not test Magus.
Toby took advantage of another defensive error, this time shooting from some way out and forcing Magus to palm the ball away.
Charlotte McLean had an opportunity of her own from distance which Magus dealt with comfortably.
As the second period started, Olympic came out of the blocks firing.
Their high press and possession looked as though they could create something but the APIA defence was now up to the task.
On the hour mark APIA almost doubled their advantage, McNamara delivering a powerful cross, only for Crofts to flick it goalwards with the outside of the boot, the ball going just wide of the target.
APIA started to dominate the game and not long after, Crofts his a well struck shot, only to go wide of the target.
As the pressure mounted, APIA’s goal finally came.
A ball into the box was poorly dealt with as it sat up perfectly for Pollicina, who blasted it into the back of the net.
McNamara deserved a goal and almost made it 3-0 after a powerful shot was well saved by Newbon.
With 10 minutes to go, McNamara’s football was giving Olympic all sorts of headaches, as she took on her marker down the left before cutting back and an under-pressure Maya Fernandez found her own goal.
Spencer Prior’s team showed those title credentials again with a very good second half.
Match Stats
Sydney Olympic 0
APIA Leichhardt 3 (Crofts 15’, Pollicina 67’, Fernandez (OG) 77’)
Sunday, 23 July, 2023
Belmore Sports Ground
Sydney Olympic: 1. Newbon, 3. McLean, 6. Bowling (42. Stewart), 8. Oliverio, 10. Toby (12. Koutzoumis), 11. Collister, 17. Fernandez, 18. Hampson, 43. Barnes, 44. Johnson, 46. Ray
Substitutes: 26. Giannakos, 31. Rozman, 32. Prasad.
APIA Leichhardt: 1. Magus, 2. Cicco (Kiparizov), 3. Borazio, 4. Prior, 9. McNamara, 10. Pollicina, 11. Crofts (18. Hoban), 15. Pipino (7. Habuda), 16. Fragale (17. Bozanic), 24. Young, 32 Daczzko.
Substitutes: 40. Vidakovic.
By Nikola Pozder