Spartans prove too strong for Tigers
The Tigers were still recovering from their 5-0 demolition of staunch rivals Marconi Stallions in the Waratah Cup Quarters mid-week, but three fixtures in a seven days caught up with the side according to their coach John Turner.
Greg Kondek and Chris Gomez put the Spartans ahead in the second-half, while Kiwi Andrew Bevin pulled one back for APIA in the 83? making it a nervous finish to the game for Ben de Haan?s side.
APIA started the game on the front foot with former Sydney FC and North Queensland Fury man Adam Casey looking threatening up front.
Spartans captain and keeper Carlos Saliadarre kept the scores level when his outstretched glove prevented Sam Salameh?s header from hitting the back of the net.
A slalom run by Adam D?Apuzzo in the 18? minute looked promising but he was cut out by the Spartans defence who went straight into the counter attack. That effort proved fruitless, but the Spartans kept it up and didn?t have to wait long for their reward.
A perfectly placed Chris Bedzo cross found the head of Greg Kondek who got it straight past Tigers keeper Anthony Costa in the 21? minute.
APIA were looking to hit back straight after the kick off. Adam Casey looked to be clear of the Spartans defence but collided with Saliadarre. The referee called it up and blew in Spartans? favour.
Spartans went straight back onto the attack and within minutes they were rewarded again. A shot from the Spartans was miskicked by APIA keeper Anthony Costa into the feet of Chris Bedzo, who set it up perfectly for Gomez. His shot found the back of the net, and the Spartans had their second goal in three minutes.
Casey was determined to pull one back for APIA. His shot from 25-yards out in the 30? minute was saved by an alert Saliadarre.
The second-half commenced just as it ended, APIA playing the long ball, Blacktown played on the counter.
Luke Boyd missed a golden opportunity in the 52? minute to put the Spartans up 3-0. He had an open goal but his volley sent the ball straight into Costa.
Chris Gaitatzis made his debut for the Spartans when he replaced Chris Bush in the 61? minute. He came to the Spartans after growing frustrated with a lack of playing opportunities at Bonnyrigg. Coincidentally, his brother Harris scored a brace for Bonnyrigg over Spartans? cross city rivals Blacktown City on the same evening.
Spartans defender Peter Hubbard did well to stop APIA winger Andrew Bevin?s run in the 68? minute.
A minute later, Gomez was sure he had put Spartans up 3-0 but he was denied by the assistant referee?s flag. It was the result of a lovely ball from the Spartans? Japanese import Hiroaki Kawasaki, who showed great control to keep the ball in, dribble around the APIA defence and provide the perfect ball for Gomez.
Dead-ball specialist D?Apuzzo was well in range in the 79? minute but his free-kick just outside the Spartans box went straight into the wall.
Gaitatzis certainly didn?t lack confidence in his Spartans debut but he fell short in the execution. An attempt at a back-heel misfired and his two long range efforts went high and wide.
Substitute Franco Parisi was determined to pull one back for APIA but his 30-yard strike hit the side netting in the 82? minute.
A minute later Kiwi winger Bevin salvaged one for the Tigers. A long range effort was deflected off Saliadarre into Bevin?s path. He poked it in and ran the ball straight back to the halfway line.
The final few minutes were frantic but Spartans held their nerve.
Another victory at Blacktown Football Park for the newly promoted side, who are developing into formidable opponents for the more established NSW Premier League sides – a remarkable feat considering they were playing division one only two seasons ago.
Spartans coach Ben Dehaan said he was pleased with the result and the way his side played and the performances of Gomez, Saliadarre and Bedzo:
?The football we?re playing is good so it?s even better to get the victories. I love seeing good footy here at Blacktown Football Park,?? Dehaan said.
?Sure we had to play counter in the second-half but that?s how it is. Probably should have sunk it with the volley from Boyd but we had a few great saves from Carlos so it balances it out.
?Carlos kept us in the game early on because we played a few bad balls up the back.
?We scored two quick goals after his saves so it was extremely important.
?Gomez worked tirelessly and in the last few weeks he hasn?t had as many rewards as he deserved but now he?s got three in the last two.??
Dehaan said his side has been boosted by their recent signings including Gaitatzis mid week:
?They?ve had a massive impact, they?ve given us plenty of depth. Chris had a great game. ?He?s got the touch and he will fit in here very well so I think he will be a great asset for us.
?We?ve got enough signings now I think I can build from here.??
John Turner refused to pull the punches and placed the blame squarely on his players for missing early opportunities and mistakes at the back:
?We should have led three or four goals in the first 20? minutes. You miss those chances and you pay the penalty.
?The second goal was comedy capers from our keeper. That goal was a gift and it makes me angry seeing goals like that.
?There?s lots of players that need to look at themselves after tonight and I can?t think of one who deserves praise.?
But he said the heavy fixture burden was being felt by the players:
?That?s our third game in a week, they?ve had the whole week off and I?ve got no doubt that the fixtures have caught up with us and fatigue is setting in.
?It?s a fair ask of semi-professional footballers playing three games in seven days.??
Match Stats
Blacktown Spartans 2 (Greg Kondek 23?, Chris Gomez 26?)
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 1 (Andrew Bevin 83?)
Saturday, June 9th, 2012
Blacktown Football Park, Rooty Hill
Referee: Jason Blackwood
Assistant Referees: Paul Faithful and Samuel Grasso
Blacktown Spartans: 1.Carlos Saliadarre; 3.Nathan Millgate, 5.Luke Boyd, 6.Greg Kondek (27.Jacob Ott 90?), 8.Djordie Degenek, 9.Christopher Bedzo, 10.Christopher Gomez, 13.Hiroaki Kawasaki, 17.Peter Hubbard, 20.Sean Mitchell, 23.Christopher Bush (7.Chris Gaitatzis 61?)
Substitutes Not Used: 11.Steven Veleski, 19.Simon Zahra, 40.Jesse Shewan
Yellow Cards: Degenek 45?, Millgate 69?
Red Cards: Nil
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers: 21.Anthony Costa; 3.Adel El Jamal, 6.Danial Cummins (2.Mark Byrnes 53?), 5.Michael West, 12.Andrew Bevin, 7.Stephen Kayes, 8.Adam D?Apuzzo, 4.Mun-Soo Gil (10.Franco Parisi 63?) , 16.Michael Hawyrsiuk, 17.Sam Salameh, 14.Adam Casey
Substitutes Not Used: 1.Stefan Giglio, 15.Bradley Bartels
Yellow Cards: Salameh 63?, Kayes 83?, El Jamal 86?
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 – Chris Gomez (BS)
2 – Carlos Saliadarre (BS)
1 – Andrew Bevin (ALT)
(As of next week the Player Ratings will be hidden till the end of the NSW Premier League season)
-By Alex Zerafa
