APIA Cruise to First Win of 2025 Season at Mariners
MATCH REPORT: Central Coast Mariners Academy 2-6 APIA Leichhardt FC Men’s First Grade – NPL Men’s NSW Round 2 2025
APIA Leichhardt First Grade have emphatically opened their account for the 2025 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season, dispatching a youthful Central Coast Mariners side 6-2 at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon. In a commanding display of attacking football, Franco Parisi’s men left no doubt about their intent for the campaign ahead, securing three points in style.
From the outset, the Marronazzuri asserted themselves with high-tempo football, applying relentless pressure in search of the opener. The breakthrough came in the 10th minute when Jack Stewart and Presley Ortiz combined brilliantly to set up Jordan Segreto, who clinically dispatched his effort to put the visiting side ahead.
The Mariners, eager to respond, saw Ben Mewett come close with a counterattacking effort that skewed wide. However, APIA’s dominance continued, and the lead was doubled in the 21st minute. Ortiz showed composure inside the area, turning sharply before slotting home to make it 2-0.
It was only a matter of time before APIA extended their advantage. Segreto, a constant menace for his former club, was involved in nearly every attacking move for APIA. He found himself in a prime position again to continue a well-worked move by slipping in Ortiz who finished off the play for a 3-0 lead before the half-hour mark.
The pressure from the visitors remained relentless. Skipper-on-the-day Themba Muata-Marlow unleashed a powerful long-range attempt that Wade managed to tip over, while Stewart also tested the keeper with a direct effort on goal.
The hosts found a glimmer of hope early in the second half, pulling a goal back in the 53rd minute through Zayd Kassaby’s well-placed header from a corner. With the home crowd sensing a potential comeback, APIA responded with a renewed sense of urgency.
APIA’s fourth goal came in the 64th minute, effectively extinguishing any aspirations of a Mariners revival. A perfectly weighted pass from substitute Alex Denmead found Michael Kouta, who unleashed an unstoppable finish to restore the three-goal cushion.
The visitors continued their relentless attacking display and were rewarded again in the 72nd minute. A pinpoint corner delivery found Muata-Marlow, who expertly directed the ball to the far post, allowing Denmead to apply the finishing touch for 5-1.
Despite the scoreline, the Mariners showed resilience and managed to pull another goal back in the 80th minute. Substitute Lawrence Taylor made an immediate impact, driving forward before firing a well-placed shot into the bottom corner for 5-2.
The final blow came in the 90th minute as APIA put the finishing touches on a sensational attacking performance. Adrian Ucchino picked out Ortiz with a precise through ball, and the in-form forward made no mistake, slotting home to complete his hat-trick — his first for the club and certainly a sign of things to come.
With the final whistle, APIA Leichhardt marked their first victory of the season in emphatic fashion. A clinical display, ruthless finishing, and a determined team effort saw the boys deliver an unforgettable performance.
Head Coach Franco Parisi had much praise for the Central Coast playing surface and what’s becoming a rarity at National Premier Leagues level to see in natural grass pitches.
“The grass here is amazing, so Pluim Park [and] the team looking after it – it’s really, really impressive because we get to play good football. Both teams were able to move the ball the way they wanted to, and that’s the beauty of playing on natural grass and we always relish those opportunities.”
Parisi also pointed to the immediate improvement of the squad and actioning of mid-week revision after a disappointing draw from leading position at home to open the campaign.
“The difference between last week [Round 1 vs Wollongong Wolves] and this week is that we can with confidence say that we won both halves.”
References were made from both interviewer and Parisi talking to the empowering aspect of having four different goalscorers on the day.
“The boys just showed how hungry they were from last week’s result, so that’s the best way to correct something.. you’ve only got what’s in front of you.”
“The first question when you lose Ben Gibson to Newcastle [Jets] is ‘who’s going to be the striker, who’s going to score the goals?’ So Presley [Ortiz] scoring three goals today – that answers all those questions.”
APIA are back at home on Sunday 23 February at 4:15pm facing table-topping North West Sydney Spirit at Lambert Park, which Parisi is looking immediately forward to.
“They’re the only team on six points, so that’s going to be a tough one but we look forward to it [and] coming back to Lambert Park”
As the season progresses, APIA will look to build on this momentum and continue making a strong statement in the NPL Men’s NSW First Grade competition.
As the sun started to set in Lisarow, APIA Leichhardt’s Men’s Under 20’s began their clash with the Mariners, which would turn out to be a 3-2 win for the Marronazzuri courtesy of goals from Dylan Cotter, Oscar Gonzalez and Kasra Manoochehry – the latter two scoring for the second week in a row as Dean Zammit’s boys sit joint top with next week’s opponents NWS Spirit.
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MATCH INFORMATION
Central Coast Mariners Academy Men’s First Grade – 2; Kassaby ’53, Taylor ‘80.
APIA Leichhardt Men’s First Grade – 6; Segreto ’10, Ortiz ’21 ’29 ‘90, Kouta ’64, Denmead ‘72. National Premier League Men’s New South Wales Round 2
Pluim Park, Tuggerah St, Lisarow NSW 2250
Sunday 16 February 2025
Join the Conversation: #CCMvAPL #NPLMNSW #ForzaAPIA
Central Coast Mariners Men’s First Grade: 40. Joel WADE (GK), 2. Luca PECORA, 4. Rocco SMITH, 5. Ben MEWETT, 7. Ayouk MOW (23. Lawrence TAYLOR ’77), 9. Ahmad ELHELOU (17. Jesse MANTELL ’45), 11. Jai ROSE, 15. Freddie CLUNAS (24. Kye SCHUMACHER ’45), 19. Prayaag THAPA, 21. Muginga MPOTA (39. Harper RYLES ’6’63), 25. Zayd KASSABY (14. Angus REID ’77).
COACHES – Bryce DEATON, Ty KINSON, Lucas VILELA
UNUSED SUBSTITUTUES – 20. Jared WILLIAMS (GK)
CARDS – 2: 7. Ayouk MOW (Yellow, ’58), 23. Laurence TAYLOR (Yellow, ‘89)
APIA Leichhardt Men’s First Grade: 80. Oliver KALAC (GK), 2. Seiya KAMBAYASHI, 5. Dredon KELLY, 7. Jack STEWART (29. Maksim KASALOVIC ’63), 8. Joel BERTOLISSIO, 9. Presley ORTIZ, 15. Themba MUATA-MARLOW, 17. Jordan SEGRETO (14. Max COURT ’68), 21. Michael KOUTA (16. Sean SYMONS ’68), 22. Eddie CASPERS (30. Alex DENMEAD ’63), 99. Franco FARINELLA (18. Adrian UCCHINO ’72)
COACHES – Franco PARISI, David D’APPUZO
UNUSED SUBSTITUTUES – 1. Anthony BOUZANIS (GK)
CARDS – 0
Match Officials: CR. Logan Jones, AR1. Travis Griffith, AR2. Hugo Fonseca, FO. Jackson Mackie.
Central Coast Mariners Academy Men’s Under 20s – 2; Mutokoyi 65’ Kwon 88’
APIA Leichhardt Men’s Under 20s – 3; Cotter 4’. Gonzalez 66’, Manoochehry 69’
National Premier League Men’s New South Wales Round 2
Pluim Park, Tuggerah St, Lisarow NSW 2250
Sunday 16 February 2025
Join the Conversation: #CCMvAPL #NPLMNSW #ForzaAPIA
Central Coast Mariners Academy Men’s Under 20s: 20. Jared WILLIAMS (GK), 12. Ty McKIBBIN, 14. Angus REID, 17. Jesse MANTELL (28. Isaac KWON 45’), 22. Shumba MUTOKOYI, 23. Laurence TAYLOR, 24. Kye SCHUMACHER (18. Jayden JENSEN 45’), 29. Xavier DALPRA, 33. Wek DENG (32. Callum McCASKEY 76’), 35. Max MILLER (27. Cruz TATE-WHALLEY), 39. Harper RYLES (31. Fynn SADLER 63’).
COACHES – Bryce DEATON, Ty KINSON, Lucas VILELA
UNUSED SUBSTITUTUES – 40. Joel WADE (GK)
CARDS – 0
APIA Leichhardt Men’s Under 20s: 54. Liam McMASTER (GK), 13. Kasra MANOOCHEHRY (29. LIAM IPPOLITO 72’), 14. Max COURT (27. Aidyn CONWAY 78’), 19. Owen HENDERSON, 24. Cameron FONG, 25. Dylan COTTER (23. Danil ROMANOV 72’), 26. Oscar GONZALEZ, 33. Ali SAAB (28. Ethan DI GIACOMO 84’), 36. Jensen VOUT (35. Zavier SECONDO 78’), 38. Morrie KAMARA, 40. Yohann D’SOUZA.
COACH – Dean ZAMMIT
UNUSED SUBSTITUTUES – 53. Diego MARTIN (GK)
CARDS – 0
Match Officials: CR. Jackson Mackie, AR1. Hugo Fonseca, AR2. Travis Griffith.
Images courtesy of Damian Briggs / Pitchside Media Solutions
