Tigers take maximum points from Manly trip
Younis was a constant menace in the final third, signalling his intentions inside the first 2′ minutes. The former Adelaide United striker tested Manly keeper Brad Swancott with a shot that whizzed past the far post before missing an even easier chance 6′ minutes later.
Younis failed to connect with a teasing Michael West cross with the goal at his mercy, but looked in the mood from the outset.
7′ minutes later Manly United midfielder Roberto Hamad was cautioned for a foul on Younis and was then sent off midway through the first-half following a full blooded tackle on Nick Rizzo.
The decision appeared harsh and was compounded after Keith Shevlin had missed a penalty moments earlier following a handball inside the penalty-area.
On the half-hour mark Luke Casserly almost opened the scoring for the home team but saw his looping header cleared off the line with Tigers shot stopper Matt Nash in no man?s land.
A.P.I.A. did take the lead seconds before the break when Casserly was pinned for a debatable foul inside the area. The protests of Swancott saw the gloveman cautioned before Younis composed himself from 12-yards to hand the away side the ascendency.
Manly United coach Craig Midgley responded by introducing Adam Foti and Jimmy Oates, with the latter unearthing an impressive 45? minutes down the right flank.
As the minutes ticked over Manly pushed for an equaliser, but their attacking raids were continually foiled by a resolute Tigers defence.
With injury time approaching, the Tigers sealed the contest.
A clumsy challenge from Pascal Julliard saw Younis send Swancott the wrong way from 12-yards to ensure a happy trip back to the inner west of Sydney for the Tigers faithful.
A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers skipper Parisi was happy with the gritty performance:
?Coming to Cromer Park on a cold and windy Tuesday night is never easy, so we are delighted to get the three points,” he said.
?Manly fight for everything, we knew it would be scrappy at times.
?Before the game we spoke about cutting out any instances the referee may deem as thuggery.
?Our defensive display was pleasing, we held firm, which will do our confidence the world of good.”
Midgley acknowledged the penalty miss from Keith Shevlin was crucial:
?Goals change games, simple as that,” he said.
?To then have Roberto (Hamad) sent off a few minutes later, you couldn’t ask for a worse script.
?I was happy with how we responded with ten men for just an hour, our team spirit is great.
?It isn’t panic stations yet, but some points would be handy.”
Match Stats
A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers 2 (Robbie Younis 44′ pen, 89′ pen)
Manly United FC 0
Tuesday 22nd June, 2010
Cromer Park, Dee Why
Referee: Adam Weir
Assistant referees: Mike Robertson and Tom Lee
Fourth Official: M.Samson
Manly United FC: 1.Brad SWANCOTT; 3.Roberto HAMAD, 4.Matt SIM (17.Jimmy OATES 45′), 5.Pascal JULLIARD, 6.Luke CASSERLY, 8.Keith SHEVLIN (22.Joey GIBBS 62′), 9.Robbie CATTANACH (11.Adam FOTI 45′), 12.Scott BALDERSON, 16.Joey SCHIRRIPA, 23.Chris PAYNE, 24.Beau BUSCH
Substitutes Not Used: 19.Brad GROVES, 20.Rhyss KEANE.
Yellow Cards: Hamad 15′, Payne 21′, Shevlin 44′, Swancott 44′
Red Cards: Hamad 24′
A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers: 1.Matthew NASH; 2.Mark BYRNES, 3.John KELSO, 5.Michael WEST, 6.Marton VASS (7.Steve KAYES 52′), 8.Anthony HARTSHORN, 9.Robbie YOUNIS (17.Matt FSADNI 90′), 10.Franco PARISI (20.Liam McCONAGHY 90′), 11.Nick RIZZO, 16.Hiro MORIYASU, 19.Danial CUMMINS
Substitutes Not Used: 18.Bishara STEPHAN, 40.Terry DELBROI
Yellow Cards: Kayes 59′, Moriyasu 71′
Red Cards: Nil
