IGA NPL NSW GRADE 20s Round 20 Review

APIA-Leichhardt and Marconi Stallions were the biggest beneficiaries of the third-last round of the Grade 20s.
APIA’s win over Rockdale City and Marconi’s win over Blacktown City leaves them in the box seat heading into Rounds 21 and 22.
MATCH OF THE ROUND
Rockdale City Suns 0-1 APIA-Leichhardt Tigers, at Ilinden Sports Centre
A screamer from Joshua Basara in the final few minutes won the match for APIA-Leichhardt Tigers, just when it seemed that the match was destined to finish scoreless.
The irony was that it took a curling, dipping free-kick from 35 yards out to settle a match that would otherwise have been marred by the profligacy of both sides.
There was 84′ minutes on the clock when Basara, on as a substitute, stood over a free kick to the right, 35 yards from goal.
His left footed free kick was flighted beautifully, curling towards goal and dipping wickedly.
Rockdale City’s ‘keeper, Aaron Liddell, had no chance as it swung high over his head and into the top corner.
It was a goal worthy of winning any match and justly, it proved to win this one, as APIA-Leichhardt were the better side, particularly in the first 45′ minutes.
Chance after chance went begging as these two heavyweights of the competition went head-to-head on a picture-perfect Sunday afternoon at the Ilinden Sports Centre.
Alan Kovacevic’s return to his former club was an unhappy one.
The APIA-Leichhardt centre forward missed two clear cut chances, either side of winning a penalty that was missed by Joshua Symons, before eventually being replaced in the 79′ minute.
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers shaded the encounter, particularly in the first half.
Matthew Castelnuovo was lively throughout on the right side of midfield and he created a golden opportunity for Kovacevic in the 5’ minute.
Castelnuovo beat his man on the right and zipped a low cross through the Rockdale City area.
Kovacevic was perfectly placed ten yards out, but he scuffed his shot wide with the goal gaping.
A minute later, Marko Micevski was through on goal and appeared to be brought down by Aaron Liddell. Referee Chris Abela thought differently though, waving play on.
Seiya Kawamura was playing in the 20s for the second week running and his 13’ minute shot had Simon Jaeger scrambling across goal.
APIA-Leichhardt had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 18’ minute when Kovacevic was brought down, but Symons penalty was poor and missed the target completely.
The two Symons brothers were outstanding at the heart of APIA-Leichhardt’s defence though, as was Brian Griffin-Colls at right back.
Rockdale City had a great chance to open the scoring when Kawamura sent through Ben Cornish, but his touch failed him at the vital moment.
Castelnuovo had a dig from distance and Liddell tipped over a header from Symons, but it was Basara who had the final say.
Match Stats

Rockdale City Suns 0

APIA-Leichhardt Tigers 1 (Joshua Basara 84′)
 Sunday 4th August, 2013

Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale
Referee: Chris Abela
Assistant Referees: Andre Giev and Mitchell Clark
Rockdale City Suns: 22.Aaron Liddell, 25.Seiya Kawamura, 26.Michael Cimino (38.Paul Ragonese 79′), 29.Patrick Savor, 30.Sotiri Kagaras (28.Jacob Esposito 72′), 31.Max Burgess, 32.Ben Cornish, 34.Toufic Alameddine, 35.Keifer Dotti, 36.Aaron Davis (43.Christopher Arditti 86′), 44.Nicholas Petrillo
Substitutes Not Used: 24.Christopher Paradisis (GK), 42.Stefan Dubocanin
Yellow Cards: Ben Cornish 76′
Red Cards: Nil
APIA-Leichhardt Tigers: 1.Simon Jaeger, 12.Miroslav Radulovic (42.Joshua Basara 68′), 16.Sean Symons, 17.Clayton Musumeci, 20.Joshua Symons 22.Brian Griffin-Colls, 23.Emmanuel Shewan, 26.Ali Nasreddine, 31.Matthew Castelnuovo, 35.Marko Micevski,, 41.Alan Kovacevic (37.David Chung 79′)
Substitutes Not Used: 30.Adrian Vlastelica, 34.Zac Yaghi, 38.Rat Moniaci
Yellow Cards: Sean Symons 7′
Red Cards: Nil
ROUND 20 REVIEW
SATURDAY
Blacktown Spartans 3-1 Sutherland Sharks, 5pm at Blacktown Football Park
Spartans defeated Sutherland on Saturday evening at Blacktown Football Park.
Jake Harris and Dario Vujokic scored for Spartans.
South Coast Wolves 3-1 Sydney Olympic FC, 5pm at Hooka Creek Park
South Coast Wolves are coming home strongly, and they beat Sydney Olympic 3-1 at Hooka Creek Park.
Josh Bingham scored a double, and Lee Gilroy also scored for the home side.
SUNDAY
Sydney United 58 FC 1-1 Bonnyrigg White Eagles, at Sydney United Sports Centre
Sydney United and Bonnyrigg White Eagles played out a 1-1 draw on Sunday morning.
Matt Caseli scored for the visitors and Chris Denkov scored for the home side.
Manly United FC 1-2 CCM Academy, at Cromer Park
The Mariners Academy gave their finals chances a timely boost with a 2-1 win at Cromer Park.
Michael McGinley scored for the home side, but it wasn’t enough.
Marconi Stallions 2-0 Blacktown City FC, at Marconi Stadium
Stallions beat Blacktown City 2-0, to put themselves in the box seat for the Premiership race.
An own goal and a strike from Jacob Williams gave the home side the win.
– by Matthew Connellan