Ruthless Tigers roar to second successive victory
Oozing with confidence following last weekend?s hard fought 2-0 defeat of Manly United FC, the Tigers out ran their opponents in midfield with some fine performances by Franco Parisi and Anthony Hartshorn in support of Chris James up front. Parisi opened the scoring for the Tigers before James and Hartshorn added their names to the score sheet in the second-half. Steven Krsteski showed heart to force the Lions consolation goal late on.
Bankstown City?s afternoon was a gloom one with the side constantly second to every ball. The Lions new coaching duo, Blagojce Pilovski and George Nohra couldn?t find a solution to help the side string a second victory in two weeks, leaving the club with a big three weeks ahead to steer the side away from relegation in the Club Championship.
The home side carved out the opening chance of the match on 5? minutes as David D?Apuzzo cleverly released Chris James down the left-flank with a pin-point searching ball. With no support around him, James beat two markers before driving a weak effort directly at Zlatko Joseski.
James again found some space on the left before beating Blaz Dejanovic to cut-in onto his right foot, though his violent effort finished well over the crossbar.
Bankstown City?s first forward foray arrived in the 11? minute as Frederick Graham showed his skill to beat his marker on the right-flank. With Nathan Ristevski in his sights, Graham played a neat short path into the path of the midfielder who blasted his effort wide of the target.
A rugged affair in midfield ensued as both sides tried to master the bumpy surface. Daniel Slaveski was the orchestrator of most things going forward for the visitors, though the John Kelso – Cole Tinkler partnership at the centre of the Tigers defence remained unyielding.
On 25? minutes, Sean Mitchell and Slaveski combined nicely to release the latter down the left, though Slaveski?s delivery into the penalty-area finished over the goal line.
David Gardiner got forward for the visitors 1? minute later with a precise through ball into the path of Hussein Salameh. The Lions? number 10 left his marker for dead with his electrifying pace, though the linesman correctly flagged for offside.
The Tigers players had appeals for a penalty waved away in the 28? minute as James and Joseski collided. James? appeal was the loudest, and to be fair the only real appeal for a penalty, as the referee correctly waved play on.
Bankstown City created their best chance of the opening half on 29? minutes as Salameh and Mitchell played a neat one-two to release Salameh. From a difficult angle, Salameh attempted to dribble his way past two Tigers? defenders before losing his footing, and consequently possession of the ball.
On 30? minutes Franco Parisi opened the scoring with a well taken diagonal effort across the face of goal. James? square ball from the left found the Tigers? number 10 lurking on the edge of the penalty-area, and Parisi made no mistake with his first-time drive.
Parisi tried his luck again 2? minutes later with a shot from distance though Joseski collected the ball with complete ease.
Emotions flared in the 40? minute as David D?Apuzzo fouled Graham on the halfway line, leading to a melee between both sets of players. Referee Gerard Parsons was quick to arrive on the scene and competently calm all players down.
After the break, the Tigers went close to doubling the lead via a set-piece. James? set-piece delivery from the left picked out West at the back post, though the defender?s attempt on goal was thwarted by some scrambling Bankstown City defending.
The Tigers did double their lead in the 53? minute with an exceptionally well taken goal. Parisi?s exquisite pass with the outside of his right boot opened space for Hartshorn down the right. The right-sided attacking midfielder played a pin-point square ball into the path of James who finished with aplomb, much to the delight of the Tigers? home supporters.
The Lions thought they had pulled a goal back via a set-piece of their own on 56? minutes, though Mitchell?s fabulous effort finished inches wide of Stefan Giglio?s left-hand post.
A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt added a third just shy of the hour mark as David D?Apuzzo?s delivery from the left found Hartshorn unmarked at the back post. With all the time in the world, Hartshorn drove a fierce diagonal effort into the bottom left-hand corner that left Joseski helpless.
Bankstown City?s best efforts going forward revolved around the long ball, and Slaveski?s searching effort on 75? minutes did pick our Gardiner despite the referee calling up the Lions? defender for a foul on his marker.
The introduction of Chris Petrovski allowed the Lions some good movement down the left-flank, though the solid performance of the Tigers backline proved to be a constant menace.
The Tigers created a marvelous buildup on 78? minutes as Hartshorn produced a phenomenal touch to liberate himself of his marker and release James. The Tigers? number 23 played a neat layoff for Parisi, who was equally impressive with his return pass to James, though the Lions got men behind the ball to reclaim possession ad thwart the fine display.
Steven Krsteski pulled a goal back in the 89? minute for the Lions with a strong run into the penalty-area. His low-driven effort across the face of goal took a touch off Mark Byrnes, under immense pressure from Liavas, as the ball finished in the back of the net.
In the end, the points add additional cushioning for the Tigers who have moved further away from the bottom of the League ladder.
Victorious Tigers? leader Franco Parisi was delighted at full-time:
?After a team like effort where we all fought hard there is nothing like a recovery beer,? commented Parisi.
?Very happy with the performance today, the boys were all up for a big game and we really played well from the opening whistle.
?I thought that defensively we were very strong, the only disappointment was conceding a goal in the last minute.
?In the final third, I think the return of Anthony (Hartshorn) gives us an extra outlet, and we really took advantage of that today with some nice goals, and great understanding up front with Chris James.
?Our objective now is to give the next three matches our best shot, and look to move as high up the ladder as possible,? Parisi ended.
Out of the opposite dressing room, former Bankstown City midfielder George Nohra expressed his disappointment at the result:
?It was a very tough match today, the conditions were not good though the loss certainly did not come down to the conditions.
?We were constantly second to the ball, and just failed to communicate well enough and get any real momentum going.
?Our situation at the moment isn?t the best as we are battling to stay up in the top flight. It has been a difficult season, definitely, though there is some good talent in this group.
?I am sure the boys can come good over the remaining three matches, though we as a club will need to pick up as many points as possible to ensure we remain in the top flight next season,? ended Nohra.
In the Grade-20 division, A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers sealed three very valuable points with a 2-0 victory over Bankstown City.
Match Stats
A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers 3 (Franco Parisi 30?, Chris James 53?, Anthony Hartshorn 58?)
Bankstown City 1 (Steven Krsteski 89?)
Sunday 14th August, 2011
Lambert Park, Leichhardt
Referee: Gerard Parsons
Assistant Referees: Michael Robertson and Thomas Lee
Fourth Official: Janne Sjogren
A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers: 40.Stefan Giglio; 2.Mark Byrnes,3.John Kelso, 4.Cole Tinker, 5.Michael West (C), 7.Stephen Kayes, 8.Anthony Hartshorn (9.Robbie Younis 84?), 10.Franco Parisi, 13.David D’Apuzzo, 15.Adam D’Apuzzo, 23.Chris James (16.Damir Prodanovic 89?)
Substitutes Not Used: 1.Michael Frost, 12. Andrew Vitucci, 11.Nicola Rizzo
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Bankstown City: 1.Zlatko Joseski (C), 31.Blaz Dejanovic, 8.Peter Peralta, 18.Lenox Tweneboa (3.Chris Petrovski 61?), 5.David Gardiner, 6.Daniel Slaveski, 10.Hussein Salameh (17.Steven Krsteski 68?), 11.Frederick Graham (7.Stefanos Liavas 54?), 14.Nathan Ristevski, 32.Sean Mitchell, 9.Chris Bedzo
Substitutes Not Used: 13.Sam Dagher, 20.Antonio Anic
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
-By Joseph Carlucci
