Mt Druitt Town Rangers down Competition heavyweights APIA
Newly promoted Mt Druitt Town Rangers made a massive statement of intent in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW on Sunday evening with a memorable 2-0 victory over league leaders APIA Leichhardt FC at Popondetta Park.
Two late goals by the Rangers inflicted APIA it’s first loss of the campaign as substitute Clare Holder and attacker Roukayah Al Fararjeh found the back of the net.
Ben Gough’s team secured win number two of the 2025 season and kept their unbeaten start to the campaign going, incredibly, still yet to concede a goal in 2025.
For Brad Attard and APIA, it’s their first defeat of the season and the first time they have been kept scoreless, albeit in a solid performance against a good opponent.
The home team showed their intent early, putting Sophie Magus under early pressure as a Rosie Galea corner almost curled into the goal.
Next to threaten the opposition were the visitors, Charlotte Lancaster delivering a perfect ball into the area, only for Ash Crofts to arrive just late.
Set pieces looked dangerous for both teams, APIA coming close through a Lancaster corner, only for Mt Druitt to clear their lines.
Al Fararjeh then had the Rangers first big chance, veteran Leena Khamis slotting in her fellow attacker, only for Magus to react quickly and save well.
Starting her first game of the season for the Rangers was Rita Boateng and was looking dangerous from the off, delivering a delightful cross to Khamis who volleyed well toward goal, only for Magus to once more save well down low to her right.
Shortly after APIA threatened through Mel Caceres, her looping volley clawed away by Renee Krstanovska.
With 10 minutes to go till half time, Caceres went on a great run, brought down outside the area.
Lancaster stepped up to take the set piece and sent a powerful striker toward goal, Krstanovska perhaps getting fingertips to the ball which rebounded off the cross bar.
The Rangers keeper would be called into action again, this time denying Gisella Pipino, the APIA midfielder taking a shot from just outside the area, forcing Krstanovska to tip the ball out for a corner.
It was the home side again that came out well in the second half, threatening through Al Fararjeh, only for Magus to save.
Without creating a clear cut opportunity until the final 10 minutes of the match, the action was end to end in a fast paced game.
It would be Galea who would come close in the 82nd minute.
After some neat passing, the midfielder beat a couple defenders before bursting into the box, but with only Magus to beat and on her favoured left foot, Galea hit her effort directly at the APIA keeper who stood tall and saved.
Gough’s team wouldn’t need to wait long to hit the front though, 87 minutes on the clock.
Having come off the bench only five minutes earlier, Clare Holder stepped up to hit a free kick from some 25 metres out, curving the ball over the wall and into the top corner, giving Magus no chance with the spectacular finish.
Attard reacted immediately by bringing on Brinley Gentle, but to no avail as minutes later Mt Druitt secured the points.
Emily Kos’ clearance fell to Holder who slipped in Al Fararjeh who made no mistake with her finish, driving through the middle of the APIA defence and blasting the ball beyond Magus.
Match Stats
Mt Druitt Town Rangers 2 (Holder 87’, Al Fararjeh 90+2’)
APIA Leichhardt FC 0
Sunday, 30 March
Popondetta Park
Mt Druitt Town Rangers: 88. Krstanovska, 2. Williams, 3. Buchanan, 5. Kos, 8. Casha (14. Dalrymple), 15. Galea, 17. Sloan, 19. Khamis (10. Holder), 23. Flavin (24. Robinson), 25. Boateng (6. Pender), 30. (35. Gao)
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Tredinnick.
Yellow Cards: Kos
Red Cards: Nil
APIA Leichhardt: 1. Magus, 5. Kilbride (9. Gentle), 6. Walker, 7. Lancaster (13. Jasnos), 10. Caceres, 11. Crofts, 14. Golding, 15. Pipino (8. McNulty), 16. Fragale, 21. Kiparizov, 24. Kiceec.
Substitutes Not Used: 30. Cuthill, 25. Collins, 28. Crawford.
Yellow Cards: Kilbride.
Red Cards: Nil
-By Nikola Pozder
