Rams no match for star-studded APIA
APIA Leichhardt got their 2025 National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW season off to the best possible start with a 2-0 victory over the Macarthur Rams at Lambert Park on Sunday night.
In a 2024 Grand Final rematch, two first half goals to the prolific Ash Crofts secured the points for the home side.
The Rams came into this one with only Lola Sossai surviving from last season’s Championship winning side.
In saying that, Vitoria Guzman’s side were not pushovers, making it difficult for their more fancied opponents and even dominating at different part of the game.
The opening 15 minutes were tight with neither team really creating a clear cut opportunity.
With their first chance though, APIA struck the lead.
On debut, a long ball from central defender Christina Kiceec toward Crofts saw the experienced striker use her body to turn Chantelle Maniti before sprinting through and placing the ball beyond Issabella Coelho.
Minutes late, APIA went close again, this time Charlotte Lancaster forcing Coelho into an excellent save.
Just as the home side began dictating play, the Rams had their best chance of the first half fall to captain Sossai.
Operating down the right wing, Sossai sprung through and blasted an effort toward goal, going wide of the top corner by inches.
With Mel Caceres swapping Macarthur’s maroon for APIA’s, the silky number 10 almost made it 2-0 with a well struck volley against her former club, only for Coelho once more to save, the rebound falling to Crofts who missed from only a couple yards out.
Sossai was finding good attacking positions and once again was played through, this time hitting a weak shot toward Sophie Magus at full stretch.
With half time quickly approaching, APIA doubled their advantage.
Charlotte Lancaster splitting the Rams defence with Crofts making another smart run, rounding Coelho before passing the ball into the back of the net for her second of the day.
At the break Guzman brought on Claire Corbett who made an immediate impact, the 15-year-old getting on the ball straight away and creating havoc.
The Rams had the first chance of the second half as well as Mya Yaghi’s effort after a corner was struck just wide of the goal.
With the Rams looking to get into the game, the home side almost added a third.
Coming off the bench for her APIA debut, Hannah McNulty almost scored a fine header, only to be denied by an excellent Coelho one-handed save.
Macarthur almost made for a nervy finish, Tea Mecenski lifting a free kick from the edge of the area over the wall, only for Sophie Magus to save well.
Brad Attard would have been pleased with his sides performance and with McNulty returning to full fitness, he will be looking forward to the coming games.
Match Stats
APIA Leichhardt 2 (Crofts 15’, 43’)
Macarthur Rams 0
Sunday 9 March
Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt: 1. Magus, 5. Kilbride, 6. Walker, 7. Lancaster, 10. Caceres, 11. Crofts (13. Jasnos), 14. Golding (25. Collins), 15. Pipino (8. McNulty), 16. Fragale, 21. Kiparizov (19. Lane), 24. Kiceec.
Substitutes Not Used: 30. Cuthill, 20. Panagopoulos.
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Macarthur Rams: 20. Coelho, 5. Sossai, 9. Mucenski, 10. Nojima, 12. Dias (30. Baroudi), 13. Morris (19. Swatridge), 15. Yaghi, 22. Callow, 26. Plummer (25. Corbett), 27. Hampshire.
Substitutes Not Used: 24. Puckett, 29. Luong, 31. Lewis-Zraika.
Yellow Cards: Plummer, Yaghi.
Red Cards: Nil
-By Nikola Pozder
