Tigers’ last-ditch effort salvages a point at Manly United FC
An injury time goal from APIA’S David D’Apuzzo rescued a point in a pulsating 2-2 draw against Manly United FC at Cromer Park on Saturday night.
While both teams may be out of contention for finals football, the level of football made a mockery of their lowly positions on the league table.
Both teams passed the ball around with purpose from the kick-off, and it was the home side that had the first decent chance on 18’ minutes.
A free-kick from Brendan Cholakian found the head of Scott Balderson, who directed his effort wide of the target with Tigers keeper Andrew Bazi beaten.
Moments later, old Manly boy Keith Shevlin almost found the back of the net with an audacious shot on the half volley, which Dylan Mitchell wouldn’t have stopped if it was on target.
It proved decisive with Balderson atoning for his early miss with a crisp finish on 20’ minutes.
Faced with a one-v-one with Bazi, the playmaker never looked like missing, slotting home clinically at the near post.
2’ minutes later United doubled their lead from the penalty spot. Referee Andrew Best ruled defender Michael West had tugged on the shirt of Colin Iley and Matt Sim did the rest from 12-yards.
United almost added a third on 43’ minutes, only to seer Bazi deny the impressive Jimmy Oates from point-blank range.
Tigers coach Billy McColl welcomed the half-time break, viewing it as a chance to galvanise his troops.
His pep talk had the desired effect, with the men from Lambert Park a completely different team in the second-half.
D’Apuzzo fired the first warning shot with an effort from distance on 49’ minutes and Franco Parisi was more prevalent on the ball after virtually being a ghost in the first stanza.
Oates had the crowd on their feet with a lung busting run through the heart of APIA’s defence on 51’ minutes, but he couldn’t beat Bazi, skewing his effort wide.
Moments later, Oates then rescued his team with a cleared effort off the line.
Teammate Josh Lawson followed suit on 64’ minutes, as the Tigers roared back into the contest.
APIA finally got their goal after 73’ minutes via the boot of Aaron Clapham.
He couldn’t have hit it any sweeter, and the anxious groans around Cromer Park told the story as the home team began to panic.
Parisi went close on 75’ minutes with a crisp volley, and after a series of near misses, APIA got their goal at the death – albeit in controversial circumstances.
In the lead up to D’Apuzzo’s late effort, Cholakian was fouled in a brutal challenge from Adel El Jamal, which earnt him a caution.
After going off for treatment, referee Andrew Best took an age to let him back into the field of play.
APIA made the most of their numerical advantage, with Stephen Kayes firing in a great ball from the right to D’Apuzzo, who couldn’t miss from six-yards.
United substitute Dom Ferguson was sent off for a rash challenge seconds later, capping off a mixed night for the men from the northern beaches.
Craig Midgley pondered what could have been moments after full-time.
“First-half we were totally in control and then after the break we tried to weather them, but couldn’t,’’ the Manly boss said.
“We had a lot of tired legs out there and you also have to remember they (APIA) are fighting for their lives.
“I thought we would hold on, but it wasn’t to be.”
Billy McColl felt his team should have won it:
“We changed things at half-time because we were a little bit flat,’’ the Tigers coach said.
“When we got one back I thought we would go on and do them, we had plenty of chances.
“It could prove to be a valuable point, we will take it, a club like ours must stay in this league.’’
Match Stats
Manly United FC 2 (Scott Balderson 20’, Matt Sim 22’)
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 2 (Aaron Clapham 73, David D’Apuzzo 90’)
Saturday 27th July, 2013
Cromer Park
Referee: Andrew Best
Assistant Referees: Sarah Ho and Steve Nguyen
Fourth Official: Alex Long
Manly United FC: 1.Dylan Mitchell; 14.David Cain, (25.Dom Ferguson 53’) 12.Brendan Cholakian, 4.Graeme Forbes, 6.Danny Grant, 10.Colin Iley,7.Scott Balderson, 5.Josh Lawson, 15.Jimmy Oates, 11.Matt Sim, 16.Josh Ward (29.Max Hastings 79’)
Substitutes Not Used: 20.Tonu Liiband, 30.Jack Green
Yellow Cards: Grant 36’
Red Cards: Ferguson 90’
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers: 21.Andrew Bazi; 15.Brad Bartels, 14.Aaron Clapham, 3.Adel El Jamal, 7.Stephen Kayes, 9.Jason Oswell, 10.Franco Parisi, (18.Marko Micevski 86’) 5.Micheal West, 4.Brendan Reilly, 8.Keith Shevlin, 13.David D’Apuzzo
Substitutes Not Used: 16.Sean Symonds, 1.Simon Jaegar
Yellow Cards: West 21’, Shevlin 28’, D’Apuzzo 81’, Reilly 89’, El Jamal 90’
Red Cards: Nil
-By Andrew Prentice
