APIA Leichhardt Edge Thriller to Maintain Perfect Start

APIA Leichhardt FC continued their perfect start to the NPL Women’s NSW season on Sunday afternoon, defeating a spirited Macarthur Rams side 2–1 at Lambert Park to make it three wins from three.

The home side started brightly, with Aurelia Collins rounding off a neat team move only to see her effort blocked at a crucial moment. From the resulting corner, Christina Kiceec came close to opening the scoring, her back-post header drifting wide. Talia Kapetanellis was next to threaten, but Rams goalkeeper Isabella Coelho stood tall to deny her.

APIA’s attacking pressure continued to build, with Kapetanellis causing constant problems down the left. Her dangerous ball flashed across goal, with Ash Brodigan inches away from turning it home. The breakthrough finally came in the 31st minute, when a deep corner evaded everyone and Maya Lobo reacted quickest, volleying home against her former side to give APIA a deserved 1–0 lead.

As half-time approached, APIA remained on top, particularly from set pieces. Kiceec forced a strong save from Coelho, who was again called into action moments later to deny Kapetanellis and keep the Rams within touching distance at the break.

Despite APIA’s first-half dominance, Macarthur came out firing in the second half, applying early pressure on Sophie Magus. However, the best chance initially fell to APIA, with Kapetanellis picking out the in-form Ash Letta, whose header drifted just off target.

Then came a moment of magic in the 58th minute. Abbie Puckett produced a stunning piece of skill, meeting a deep free kick and, in one fluid motion, back-heel volleying the ball over Magus and into the net—an audacious strike that will surely be in contention for goal of the season.

The equaliser lifted the visitors, who began to grow in confidence. Tea Mucenski fired narrowly wide from the edge of the area before Puckett capped off a slick team move, only to be denied by Magus.

APIA responded with renewed urgency. Letta set up Kapetanellis with a golden opportunity, but the winger blazed over, before turning provider moments later, only for Brodigan to be denied by Coelho.

With 20 minutes remaining, the decisive moment arrived. A slick move between Letta and Kapetanellis saw the latter finish clinically at the near post following a pinpoint cross, restoring APIA’s lead.

From there, APIA showed their class and composure, managing the game professionally to secure another crucial victory and keep their flawless run alive.

Match Stats

APIA Leichhardt: 2 (Lobo 31’, Kapetanellis 70’)
Macarthur Rams: 1 (Puckett 59’)

Sunday 22nd March
Lambert Park

APIA Leichhardt: 1. Magus, 5. Lobo, 7. Kapetanellis, 9. Brodigan (37. Brodigan), 11. Letta, 14. Golding, 15. Hayward (23. Mandile), 16. Fragale, 24. Kiceec, 25. Collins (19. Lane), 38. Rose.
Substitutes not used: 17. Meuronen, 31. Gulabovski, 57. Modena.
Yellow Cards: Fragale
Red Cards: Nil

Macarthur Rams: 18. Coelho, 3. Maniti, 6. Ammendolia (12. Dias Wadewitz), 9. Mucenski, 10. Nojima, 11. Santos (22. Callow), 14. Luong, 15. Brokenshire, 21. Sarkis, 23. Puckett (28. Smith), 26. Plummer (16. Thomas).
Substitutes not used: 1. Sollecito, 27. Bagiante.
Yellow Cards: Maniti
Red Cards: Nil

-By Nikola Pozder