APIA trump Rams in monumental victory
APIA Leichhardt continued their resurgence in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition, defeating the Macarthur Rams 2-1 in a tight game at Lynwood Park on Sunday afternoon.
Sophie Hoban returned in APIA colours in style, opening the score line early in the first half, a lead which the visitors held going into half time.
The Rams equalised in superb style via Tea Mucenski in the second half, but that last only a few minutes as Ash Crofts scored what would be the winning goal.
It was the home side that came out of the blocks, Mucenski forcing Sally James into a save after only three minutes, which was soon followed up by a Sakura Nojima effort, again the APIA keeper saving well.
With their first chance of the game, APIA was ahead on nine minutes.
Ash Brodigan creating some space for herself before slipping in Hoban who calmly slotted the ball beyond Isabella Coelho.
Vic Guzman’s team reacted and had an opportunity shortly after once more through Mucenski, the shot easily saved by James.
A couple balls over the top of the Rams defence caught them out, with Crofts and Hoban on two separate occasions breaking through, both times thwarted by Tegan Bertolissio who worked back to win the ball.
Indi Breier and Nojima had shots from distance toward the end of the first half but they were comfortably dealt with by James.
The home side continued to create in the second half, Bronte Trew calling James into action inside the first two minutes after a shot from the right.
From the resulting corner Lola Sossai let fly from distance, her effort just going wide of the target.
On 53 minutes the Rams were inches from being level.
Amelia Cassar switched play to the left for Breier who shot from outside of the box, her powerful effort cannoning off the underside of the bar and somehow not crossing the line.
Tea Mucenski finally had the home side level on 67 minutes in some style.
Breier delivered an inch perfect in swinging corner, finding the striker in the box, Mucenski with a spectacular bicycle kick to equalise for the Rams.
But the sides would be level for less than three minutes, APIA going back in front through Crofts.
A free kick in the box caused confusion where it seemed time stood still, Crofts reacting and taking full advantage, blasting the ball beyond Coelho into the back of the net.
With the Rams opening up, chances started appearing for the visitors and a Brodigan cross 10 minutes from the end found Crofts at the far post, the striker unable to direct her effort goalwards.
Jordan Jasnos is playing like a re-born player, her delightful cross found Brodigan at the post, the latter heading wide from a good position.
APIA managed the game well in the closing stages and shut the gates, not giving the Rams a proper opportunity.
Match Stats
Macarthur Rams 1 (Mucenski 67’)
APIA Leichhardt 2 (Hoban 9’, Crofts 70’)
Sunday, 8 June
Lynwood Park
Macarthur Rams: 20. Coelho, 2. Bertolissio, 3. Maniti, 6. Malone, 7. Trew (25. Corbett), 8. Cassar, 9. Mucenski (22. Callow), 10. Nojima, 16. Lobo, 17. Breier, 29. Luong (5. Sossai).
Substitutes Not Used: 41. Inman, 11. Silva, 26. Plummer.
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
APIA Leichhardt: 40. James, 4. Seaman, 6. Walker, 7. Brodigan (8. McNulty), 11. Crofts (15. Pipino), 13. Jasnos, 14. Golding, 16. Fragale, 18. Hoban, 20. Panagopoulos (38. Rose), 24. Kiceec.
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Magus, 5. Kilbride, 21. Kiparizov.
Yellow Cards: Jasnos
Red Cards: Nil
-By Nikola Pozder
