Tigers smack Parramatta FC for six
APIA Leichhardt Tigers has returned to the winners circle with a dominant 6-0 PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s victory against Parramatta FC at Lambert Park on Sunday.
Jordan Murray was the star of the performance after the young striker scored a hat trick in only nine minutes in a relentless showing from APIA.
An own goal from Parramatta’s Marcus Plataniotis started the APIA onslaught and within 29 minutes the home side had a six-goal lead thanks to Murray’s three goals as well as a strike from Josh Symons and a second Parramatta own goal.
APIA took their foot off the gas in the second half, but the damage was done as they clinched a vital three points after what has been a tough few weeks for the club.
In the first minute a shot from outside the box by Adrian Ucchino was well saved by Stefan Giglio in goal against his former club. It was a sign of things to come for the visitors as APIA were ruthless
In the 10th minute the Tigers should have taken the lead. A Nathan Millgate attempt from just inside the box hit both posts but still the ball failed to cross the goal line.
The opening goal arrived in the 11th minute when a Corey Biczo cross from the right was knocked in by Parramatta’s Plataniotis who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time
In the 13th minute Murray scored the first of his goals and the second of the night for the Tigers. From close range he made no mistake and the floodgates were about to open. A minute later Murray scored again – this time from close range and the Tigers had their third.
In 23rd minute APIA were at it again with their fourth strike. A cross by Sean Symons was met by a Jordan Murray header from close range and the Tigers had their third of the game.
Two minutes later another APIA were the benefactors of another own goal from Parramatta. Sean Symons hit the post and rebounded off Bibek Panta and ended up in the back of the net.
In 29th minute APIA made it six. A Symons shot was saved and the ball then fell to Tasuku Sekiya who failed to hit the target, but Symons ended up with the ball back with ball and his diagonal shot finished straight into the far corner of the net.
In the second half the one-way traffic continued. Parramatta FC mounted a rear-guard action and were able to contain the marauding Tigers. In the 59th minute a header by Nathan Millgate was well turned away for a corner by the Parramatta FC defence.
In the 68th minute a shot by Sean Symons flashed just wide of the post and then he hit the post in the 75th minute.
Symons wasted a chance at making it 7-0 in added time when he blasted his penalty chance over the crossbar.
After the game APIA Leichhardt Tigers coach Danial Cummins said praised his team’s performance but felt they could’ve pushed Parramatta even more.
“We still hit the post and missed a penalty in the second half so that was very good,” he said. “I said at halftime that we needed to continue our two-touch football and that what we did.
“We played some great football in the first half but they are not in a good way at the moment. I played for Melita so I have a soft spot for them, but we did our homework on Parramatta even though they are coming last.”
Over in the Parramatta FC dressing room Marshall Soper described his side as a work-in-progress.
“We are playing under extreme conditions with a very thing squad and generally very young players,” he said.
“It’s a case of young boys learning to play in a man’s game so it’s a case of a work-in-progress.
“We need to stabilise the club and we are getting together as a group to do that. There are a lot of good things that are happening around the club, so it’s about building for next year by giving the young players a chance.”
Match Stats
APIA Leichhardt Tigers: 6 (Plataniotis o.g. 11’, Murray 13’, 14’, 23’, Panta o.g. 25’, Symons 29’)
Parramatta FC: 0
Sunday 16th July 2017
Lambert Park, Leichhardt
Referee: Stephen Laurie
Assistant Referees: Kearney Robinson, Ray Osborne
Fourth Official: Nick McOrist
APIA LEICHHARDT TIGERS: 1. Ivan Necevski, 2. Nathan Millgate, 4. Joshua Symons, 8. Corey Biczo, 11. Jordan Murray (9. Matthew West 65’), 13. David D’Apuzzo, 15. Themba Muata-Marlow, 16. Sean Symons, 18. Adrian Ucchino (7. Sean O’Connell 46’), 19. Brandon Lundy, 20. Tasuku Sekiya (10. Franco Parisi, 73’).
Substitutes not used: 17. Adrian Vlastelica, 22. Luke Turnbull,
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
PARRAMATTA FC: 1. Stefan Giglio, 2. Bibek Panta (6. Joshua Littlefield 70’), 3. Nathan Tsioulos, 4. Marcus Plataniotis (14. Zeky Prisody 61’), 5. Yuya Samba, 7. Ryan Blakely, 8. Ahmed Hasanzadah, 10. Johnny Kontos (18. Adrian Cocaro 46’), 12. Marcus Donatiello, 17. Victor Ayimba, 20. Hamish Galbraith,
Substitutes not used: 9. George Panayi, 40. Corey Finch
Yellow Cards: Ayimba 65’, Tsioulos 93’
Red Card: Nil
-by Joe Russo, PlayStation®National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 1 Reporter, at Lambert Park, Leichhardt
