IGA NPL NSW Grade 20s Round 15 Review
IT was a closely contested game on Saturday evening at Lambert Park between APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC and Blacktown City FC in the Match of the Round, which saw the visiting side grab the only goal of the game.
In other fixtures, Marconi Stallions FC have claimed their long overdue second win for the season, beating Sutherland Sharks 3-0 on Saturday evening.
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC 0-1 Blacktown City FC at Lambert Park
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC has again fallen short to Blacktown City FC, with the visiting side grabbing a 1-0 victory in a cagey encounter at Lambert Park.
In a game that saw tensions high, with the referee dishing out three yellow cards in the first half alone, APIA had their opportunities, but it was Blacktown City that created more of the clear cut chances.
In the 23’ minute APIA had a clear goal scoring chance when Brendan Hallab’s free kick outside the box found Luke Clifford, but Blacktown City’s Kieren Paull pulled off a crucial tackle to deny his attempt on goal.
The defining moment of the match came in the 28’ minute when Blacktown City’s first shot on target led to the games only goal.
A purposeful run from the left by Danny Choi found Matthew Stewart on the right. His darting run up the line drew the APIA defenders before cutting the ball back to Sam Perre, whose shot across the goal was unfortunately deflected by APIA’s central defender Brendan Hallab into his own goal.
The visiting side kept the pressure on and two minutes later Danny Choi found space, before squaring the ball to Lewis Beumie at the top of the box, whose shot was sent just narrowly over the crossbar.
Sam Perre was lively for Blacktown City as his efforts continued to prove dangerous for the home side. In the 31’ minute a free kick from the right saw another great opportunity for Perre to double the visiting side’s lead, but his shot cannoned off the near post.
APIA were eager to get an equaliser and Daniel Fogarty had their best chance to find the back of the net moments later.
Fogarty should have graced the scoresheet when his run up the right saw him with only the keeper, Thomas Heward-Belle to beat, but the gloveman’s quick reaction denied the right-winger.
Early into the second half and APIA had their first shot on target, when Luke Clifford on the right headed the ball towards goal, narrowly missing the far post.
However, apart from a few individual moments, Blacktown City dominated the second half play.
In the 71’ minute some wonderful lead up play between the City midfield saw substitute Ryan Peterson pass to Danny Choi on the left. Choi’s terrific cross into the box missed everyone, including the oncoming City strikers.
Moments later Perre hit a beautiful shot from 25 metres out, but it was sent to the welcoming arms of APIA keeper, Stefan Giglio.
Desperate for a point, APIA came close in the 78’ minute. Beating four players in a domino like effort, Luke Clifford made a brilliant solo run down the right, only to be denied by keeper, Heward-Belle on the near post.
In the 88’ minute Blacktown City’s Nicola Kuleski’s right pass found Joel Hardwick who had a chance to put the game to bed but his wayward shot sailed high over the bar.
In the end, the visitor’s left with the only goal of the game and a valuable three points.
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC coach, Rod Williams was disappointed in the result, but is confident his team can return into the top three on the table.
“We bombed two or three really good chances, we seem to be up and down in front of the goal”, Williams said.
“I thought a draw would have been a fair result, so to move from third to fourth, it’s just clear that the lack of goal scoring has cost us, which is disappointing because we’re quite capable of beating any team on any day.”
Match Stats
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC 0
Blacktown City FC 1 (Brendan Hallab 28’)
Saturday 21 June, 2014
Lambert Park, Leichhardt
Referee: D.Haslett
Assistant Referees: A.Coombs and J.Park
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers FC: 39.Matthew Casali, 29.Michael Cimino (41.Sinan Dilber), 32.Luke Clifford, 25.Patrick Crane, Daniel Fogarty, 31.Adam Funari (35.Alexander Kontellis), 40.Stefan Giglio, 28.Brendan Hallab, 27.Ali Nasreddine, 44.Adamo Raciti (30.Jason Perez), 42.Zac Ribeiro
Substitutes Not Used: 38.Raffaele Moniaci, 37.Liam Unicomb
Yellow Cards: Daniel Fogarty 37’
Red Cards: Nil
Blacktown City FC: 30.Lewis Beumie, 32.Keenan Gibson (28.Ryan Peterson), 12.Joel Hardwick, 40.Thomas Heward-Belle, 27.Nicola Kuleski, 24.Eoin Montford, 17.Kieren Paull, 21.Sam Perre, 31.Matthew Stewart (29.Jack Press), 11.Danny Choi, 15.Marco Travaglani (22.Peter Pelakanos)
Substitutes Not Used: 25.Adam Gorrie, 50.Michael Figueirr
Yellow Cards: Nicola Kuleski 30’, Kieren Paull 43’, Sam Perre 87’
Red Cards: Nil
Round Review
Saturday
Blacktown Spartans FC 0-2 Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC, 5:30pm at Blacktown Football Park
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC defeated Blacktown Spartans FC at Blacktown Football Park.
Wade Giovanelli and Daniel Velonio scored for the visiting side.
Manly United FC 3-0 Sydney United 58 FC, 5:30pm at Cromer Park
Manly United FC beat Sydney United 58 FC on Saturday evening.
Daniel Saric scored two and Oliver Green scored one for the home side.
Marconi Stallions FC 3-0 Sutherland Sharks FC, 5:30pm at Marconi Stadium
Marconi Stallions FC beat Sutherland Sharks FC 3-0 at home.
Noah Chinase scored two and Jack Fulton scored one for Marconi.
Sunday
St George FC 0-4 Sydney Olympic FC, 1pm at Win Jubilee Oval
Sydney Olympic FC defeated St George FC 4-0 on Sunday afternoon.
James Andrew scored two and Sam Kagaras and Jason each scored one for the visiting side.
South Coast Wolves FC 2-2 Rockdale City Suns FC, 1pm at WIN Stadium
South Coast Wolves FC drew 2-2 with Rockdale City Suns FC at home.
South Coast Wolves scorer was Peter Simonoski.
Hristan Tanoski scored two penalties for the home side.
– By Anneliese Scenna, National Premier Leagues NSW Grade 20s Reporter
