Gladesville Ravens Prevail in Five-Goal Classic Over APIA
Gladesville Ravens came away with all three points in a Match of the Round classic in the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition on Sunday evening, defeating APIA Leichhardt 3-2 in a five-goal thriller at Christie Park.
Annie Daczko opened the scoring for the home side, before returning star Sophie Hoban restored parity for APIA. Gisella Pipino then struck on the stroke of half-time to give the Ravens a 2-1 lead, with Daczko adding her second early in the second half to extend the advantage. APIA fought back again through Ash Brodigan from the penalty spot, but the visitors were ultimately unable to find an equaliser.
The first real opportunity of the game fell to APIA just before the quarter-hour mark, with Talia Kapetanelis forcing Eliza Coleman into action after stinging the palms of the Ravens goalkeeper. Kapetanelis continued to threaten, first being denied by a last-ditch challenge before Ash Letta’s follow-up effort was also kept out by Coleman.
The Ravens shot-stopper remained busy early, producing another strong save to deny Kapetanelis as APIA built momentum.
Despite the pressure, it was Gladesville who struck first. A loose ball on the edge of the box fell kindly to Daczko, who calmly guided a left-footed finish into the bottom corner.
APIA responded quickly through their high press, forcing a turnover that saw Hoban pounce on the edge of the area and rifle a brilliant strike into the top corner, leaving Coleman with no chance.
Even so, the Ravens went into half-time ahead after Pipino showcased superb footwork to beat multiple defenders before finishing emphatically past Jacinta Gulabovski to make it 2-1.
Early in the second half, Morgan Roberts had a chance to extend the lead but couldn’t trouble Gulabovski, while Coleman again came out on top in her ongoing duel with Kapetanelis, saving with her feet.
The Ravens made it 3-1 in the 56th minute when a poorly cleared corner fell kindly for Daczko, who reacted quickest inside the six-yard box to poke home her second of the afternoon.
APIA continued to push forward in search of a response, with Brodigan and Kapetanelis both going close after dangerous deliveries from Mia Golding.
Their persistence paid off in the 70th minute when Hoban was brought down in the box following neat footwork. Brodigan stepped up and, despite Coleman diving the right way, fired into the top corner to bring it back to 3-2.
With ten minutes remaining, APIA almost levelled when a chaotic corner caused havoc inside the box, but Mona Walker’s final effort sailed wide of the target.
From there, Gladesville managed the closing stages expertly, showing composure and discipline to see out a massive win and secure back-to-back victories for the first time this season.
Match Stats
Gladesville Ravens 3 (Daczko 26’, 56’, Pipino 45+2’)
APIA Leichhardt 2 (Hoban 31’, Brodigan 70’)
Sunday 10 May – Christie Park
Gladesville Ravens: 1. Coleman, 3. Daczko, 4. Allen, 6. Pipino (16. Allan), 8. Halls, 10. McNulty (34. Adams), 11. Roberts, 13. Scamardella (7. Villa), 14. Kilbride, 19. Khamis, 39. Sunaga (66. Murtagh).
Substitutes not used: 5. Tabata, 17. Shannon, 18. Kent.
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
APIA Leichhardt: 31. Gulabovski, 5. Lobo, 6. Walker, 7. Kapetanelis, 11. Letta, 13. Jasnos (38. Rose), 14. Golding, 15. Hayward (9. Brodigan), 16. Fragale, 18. Hoban, 24. Kiceec.
Substitutes not used: 1. Magus, 19. Lane, 25. Collins, 37. Cameron.
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
– By Nikola Pozder
