APIA Leichhardt put one hand on the NPL NSW Women’s Premiership on Sunday night as they rescued a late draw against the Macarthur Rams at Lambert Park.
An intense game of football with immense quality on display, the spoils were shared with a 1-1 stalemate.
Kelli Brown opened the scoring in spectacular fashion mid-way through the first half, before Gisella Pipino scored late in the second period for APIA.
The game started with both teams pressing high, challenges flying in and the intensity high.
The first shot of the game came via India Breier down the left, her powerful effort went just wide of Sophie Magus’ goal.
On 26 minutes, the Rams won a free kick just outside the box.
Brown stepped up and let fly with a thunderous effort, giving Magus no chance in APIA goal and founding nothing but the top corner.
The Rams grew in confidence from here and won consecutive corners, lifting the pressure on the home team.
Five minutes before the break it was almost two after some Mel Caceres magic saw her slip a pass for Maya Lobo who let fly from outside the area, forcing Magus into a fine save.
Some fine football from the Rams had them testing Magus again.
Brown played a one-two pass with Miku Sunaga before the striker forced the APIA keeper into fantastic save.
Stephen Peters went to the bench in the second half and called upon the experienced Leena Khamis.
It was Khamis who should have made it two moments after coming on, breaking through the last line of defence and forcing Magus into another fingertip save.
With the clock ticking on and the Rams closing in on a massive three points, APiA struck.
Rhianna Pollicina delivered a delightful free kick which Gisella Pipino got onto the end of, taking a fabulous touch before slamming the ball home.
Not long after APIA goal, the Rams went the other way but Brown’s effort wasn’t up to her standard, comfortably saved by Magus.
Brown had another free kick late on which flashed inches wide of the target while Magus was once more called into action to slap away a Caceres cross.
In the end, it was a sweeter point for APIA as they held onto their four point advantage over the Rams.
Match Stats
APIA Leichhardt 1 (Pipino 74’)
Macarthur Rams 1 (Brown 26’)
Sunday, 6, August, 2023
Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt: 1. Magus, 2. Cicco, 3. Borazio, 4. Prior (24. Young), 7. Habuda (14. Coco Di-Sipio),9. McNamara, 10. Pollicina,, 15. Pipino, 16. Fragale, 18. Hoban, 32 Daczzko.
Substitutes: 11. Crofts, 21. Kiparizov, 40. Vidakovic.
Macarthur Rams: 1. Khamis, 2. Bertolissio, 3. McComasky, 10. Caceres, 14. Sunaga, 16. Lobo (25. Malone), 17. Breier (19. Sloan), 18. Plummer (9. Khamis), 22 Huynh, 32. Gordon, 44. Brown.
Substitutes: 8. Dipple, 13. Pereira, 21. Clarke.
By – Nikola Pozder
