Tigers grind vital narrow away victory against Bankstown

After last week?s rather disappointing performance against Sydney United, the home side was certainly looking for redemption against A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt.
However, that scenario – on paper at least – appeared to be a difficult task given that the Tigers had easily accounted for West Sydney Berries in their last outing and had won two out of their last three games.
The win over Bankstown City FC was another notch in belt for the Tigers who now, with three wins out of four games, can seriously start talking about having turned the corner.
In reality the game was a tight affair on a hot afternoon and the first real chance of the game didn?t arrive until the 19? minute when Robert Mileski found some space through the heart of the A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt defence but finished off the move with a shot that was just marginally off target.
A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt responded shortly afterwards through a Robert Younis free-kick that sailed over Zlatko Joseski?s crossbar and, only a matter of seconds later, Younis again was dangerous to Bankstown City FC when he created some space on the left but fired his shot once again just over the target.
In the 30? minute Younis was once again a very dangerous adversary for the home side because he beautifully won the ball from Scott Thomas near the halfway line and set sail towards goal but, in the end, his powerful drive was well saved by an alert Joseski down to his right.
In the 39? minute A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt took the lead with a sweeping move that was beautifully finished by an unmarked Anthony Hartshorn who was arguably one of the visitors? best and most consistent performers.
The ball traversed the field from right to left, from to Franco Parisi to Hirofuni Moriyasu, before reaching the well-placed Hartshorn who, with a powerful drive, beat the stranded Joseski.
At this point in the game it was no more than A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt deserved because they were rewarded for constant pressure and a very tight defence at the other end of the park.
However, just prior to the break a dangerous ball from the right by Hassan Akil created uncertainty in the A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt penalty box, but somehow the visitors managed to clear the danger before Akil again found himself in a dangerous shooting position, only to stab his foot into the ground and thus give little or no heartache to Matthew Nash with his shot.
Both teams entered the sheds for a well earned break at the interval after a combative first half that was played under a very unusual autumn sun and scorching heat.
Whatever was said in the Bankstown City FC dressing room at the break by coach Peter Tsekenis, and his reliable offsider Peter Papoythis, must have worked because almost immediately after the resumption of play the home side evened the ledger.
Hassan Akil?s shot hit the woodwork and rebounded beautifully into the path of Tallen Martin who, with an easy finish, made no mistake and sent the ball crashing into the back of the net.
In the 56? minute though Robert Mileski found himself on the end of a straight red card for a rather clumsy challenge in midfield as the game?s passion started to increase.
In the 61? minute A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt regained the lead through Nick Rizzo; a nice, powerful drive from Franco Parisi forced Joseski into a diving save but he could only parry the ball into the path of the former young Socceroo who made no mistake when presented with a golden opportunity.
In the 67? minute Younis with a trademark free-kick from long range almost made it three for the Tigers but was thwarted by a beautiful diving save from Joseski.
Shortly afterwards the home side nearly equalised when a nice move, that was started in their own half, ended up with a Hassan Salameh shot rebounding off the goalposts and then somehow straight back into Nash?s hands.
It was a stroke of good luck for the Tigers but sometimes football can be a game of mere millimetres and this was one such occasion that proved this point.
In the 76? minute a corner was met by Bankstown City FC captain Richard Luksic out-jumping all and sundry but his glancing header was just wide of the mark.
Just prior to the final whistle Hassan Salameh from the left sent a ball across to the left for Martin, but unfortunately for Bankstown City FC his shot was turned away for a corner by Nash.
After the game it was clear that both Tsekenis and Papoythis were annoyed at factors beyond their control as they walked across the field to the dressing rooms.
The narrow loss is nothing to be ashamed of because A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt in this form will give most opponents in the NSW Premier League a lot to worry about.
Bankstown City FC were gallant and brave and, even with a man down, are always a dangerous team.
On the other hand A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt were quietly content with their performance.
Their football manager Tony Raciti, never one to get carried away, expressed satisfaction and stated that the team under the guidance of temporary coach Billy McColl was performing to an expected level.
?The team under Billy McColl is now starting to take shape and I give him a lot of credit,? he said.
?I was happy today with the commitment all our eleven players because they showed what they are capable of doing and they need to keep this up in future games starting with South Coast next week away.
?However, I am disappointed that our star player Horifuni Moriyasu seemed to be targeted and I would express disappoint at this tactic because he is such a brilliant player.?
Meanwhile, in the Grade 20s Bankstown City FC defeated A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt 1-0 through a goal from Anthony Musumeci in a tight encounter.
Match Stats
Bankstown City FC 1 (Tallan Martin 47?)
A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers 2 (Anthony Hartshorn 39?, Nick Rizzo 61?)
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Jensen Park, Sefton
Referee: Kris Griffith Jones
Assistant Referees: Matthew Colquhoun and Nick Backo
Fourth Official: Leigh Pigram
Bankstown City FC: 1.Zlatko Joseski; 2.Scott Thomas (16.Damien Brosque 69?), 4.Brett Studman, 5.Richard Luksic, 7.Steve Liavas, 8.George Nohra, 20.Hassan Salameh, 23.Tallen Martin, 12.Bill Tsanidis, 9.Hassan Akil (99.Chris Gody Bascur 81?), 10.Robert Mileski
Substitutes Not Used: 22.Robert Napoleone, 18.William Angel, 21.George Issa
Yellow Cards: Liavas 22?, Nohra 33?, Thomas 54?, Studman 90?
Red Cards: Mileski 56?
A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers: 1.Matthew Nash; 2.Mark Byrnes, 3.John Kelso, 5.Michael West, 6.Marton Vass, 8.Anthony Hartshorn, 19.Danial Cummins, 16.Hirofuni Moriyasu, 11.Nick Rizzo (7.Stephen Kayes 65?), 9.Robert Younis, 10.Franco Parisi.
Substitutes Not Used: 40.Terry Dal Broi, 4.Joseph Cartisano, 18.Bishara Stephan, 20.Liam McConaghy
Yellow Cards: Kelso 35?, Younis 78?
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 – Anthony Hartshorn (ALT)
2 – Robert Younis (ALT)
1 – Zlatko Joseski (BC)
-By Joe Russo