Four-Goal Second Half Fires APIA To Remarkable Wanderers Comeback
APIA Leichhardt produced one of the comebacks of the season in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition, overcoming a two-goal deficit to run away with a 4-2 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers at Lambert Park on Sunday evening.
On a special occasion where both clubs united for their “United Against Cancer” match, supporters were treated to an epic six-goal thriller that produced a dramatic turnaround after half-time.
The visitors started the game in style, racing to a 2-0 lead in the first half through Mia Nataly and Amelia Bennett.
But whatever was said in the APIA dressing room at half-time worked wonders, with Brad Attard’s side returning as a completely different team and scoring four unanswered goals.
Captain Ash Letta scored twice, while Susan Phonsongkham and Jordan Jasnos also found the back of the net to complete the remarkable comeback.
Talia Younis looked dangerous early for the Wanderers, terrorising the APIA defence and turning away from Maya Lobo inside the penalty area before forcing Jacinta Gulabovski into a good save.
The visitors eventually broke the deadlock in the 13th minute.
Alvina Khoshaba delivered a well-placed cross into the penalty area, with Nataly getting away from Tash Prior before applying the finishing touch beyond Gulabovski to make it 1-0.
The Wanderers doubled their advantage 10 minutes before half-time.
Gulabovski was comfortable with the ball at her feet but did not spot substitute Madena Moussa closing her down.
Moussa blocked the goalkeeper’s attempted clearance, with the ball falling perfectly for Bennett, who had the simple task of passing it into an empty net.
APIA looked most dangerous from corners during the first half, although they were unable to seriously trouble Wanderers goalkeeper Annabelle Croll.
The final opportunity of the opening 45 minutes fell to Nataly, whose effort went wide of Gulabovski’s near post.
APIA came out of the break with immediate intent and were rewarded with a penalty just five minutes into the second half.
Charlotte Lancaster was brought down inside the box by Tessa Young, with captain Letta stepping up and blasting the penalty into the back of the net.
Within 30 seconds, APIA were level.
Jasnos crossed from the left and found Letta, who intelligently dropped the ball back for Phonsongkham on the edge of the area.
Phonsongkham made no mistake, producing a spectacular strike into the top corner to bring the scores level.
The league’s top scorer almost added another moments later, with Letta turning outside the box before lifting her effort just too high.
APIA were now in full flight.
The hosts should have taken the lead in the 62nd minute when Prior headed on a cross from Alyssa Rose towards Phonsongkham, but the attacker somehow missed the target from point-blank range.
Moments later, however, APIA finally completed the turnaround.
A misplaced pass from Croll fell straight to Crofts, who took full advantage and fired first time into the back of the net to put APIA 3-2 ahead.
The goal took her season tally to 29.
APIA continued to pile on the pressure as they looked to put the result beyond doubt, with the Wanderers defence working desperately to keep their side in the contest.
Western Sydney had an opportunity of their own from a free-kick, with Khoshaba trying her luck from distance, but the effort was comfortably held by the APIA goalkeeper.
The three points were secured three minutes from full-time.
A cross from Talia Kapetanelis was not cleared far enough, allowing Jasnos to arrive on the scene and unleash an absolute bullet into the back of the net.
The strike had too much power for Croll to keep out, giving APIA a commanding 4-2 lead.
The Wanderers had one final opportunity to make the closing stages nervy when Moussa found herself with a chance around the penalty spot, but her volley sailed over the bar.
The final whistle confirmed an extraordinary comeback for APIA, who turned a 2-0 half-time deficit into a 4-2 victory and secured all three points in a memorable United Against Cancer clash at Lambert Park.
Match Stats
APIA Leichhardt: 4 (Crofts 50’, 65’, Phonsongkham 51’, Jasnos 87’)
Western Sydney Wanderers: 2 (Nataly 13’, Bennett 36’)
Sunday 23 August, 2026
Lambert Park
APIA Leichhardt: 31 Gulabovski, 2. Cicco, 3. Lancaster, 4. Prior (24. Kiceec), 5. Lobo, 6. Walker (7. Kapetanellis), 10. Phonsongkham (8. Beaufils), 11. Letta, 13. Jasnos, 14. Golding (19. Golding), 38. Rose.
Substitutes not used: 1. Johnstone, 25. Modena.
Yellow Cards: Cicco
Red Cards: Nil
WSW: 20. Croll, 2. Keep, 5. Bennett, 8. Nataly (11. McKenzie), 13. Khoshaba, 19. Younis, 24. Fazzari (32 Moussa), 27. Bradshaw, 28. Karaberis (16. Panagopoulos), 29. Betro, 38 Young.
Substitute not used: 7. Bagiante, 12. Gabilla, 25. Dal Broi, 30. Church.
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
-By Nikola Pozder
