Point Apiece As APIA Open 2025 Hosting Wollongong
MATCH REPORT: APIA Leichhardt FC Men’s First Grade 3-3 Wollongong Wolves – NPL Men’s NSW Round 1 2025
Lambert Park played host to a dramatic season opener as Wollongong Wolves staged a spirited comeback to secure a 3-3 draw against APIA Leichhardt Men’s First Grade in a thrilling contest that had fans on the edge of their seats.
The home side struck first, with Jack Stewart confidently converting from the penalty spot to give APIA the lead. However, Wollongong responded swiftly, with experienced forward Lachlan Scott stepping up to dispatch a penalty of his own, levelling the scores in a fast-paced opening exchange.
As the game progressed, APIA began to assert control. Jordan Segreto showcased his technical ability with a well-placed free-kick midway through the second half, restoring the hosts’ advantage. Their dominance was further rewarded when Dredon Kelly pounced on a loose ball inside the box, slotting home from close range to extend the lead to 3-1, seemingly putting APIA in a commanding position.
However, the Wolves refused to back down and clawed their way back into the contest. Sebastian Hernandez breathed life into their comeback bid with a composed finish, reducing the deficit. With momentum shifting, Wollongong continued to press forward, and their persistence paid off when Nicholas Olsen calmly slotted home a penalty late in the game, sealing a hard-fought point for new head coach Warren Grieve in his first competitive outing.
The result sees both teams open their 2025 campaigns with a share of the spoils, setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting season ahead. APIA are next in action next Sunday 16 February away to Central Coast Mariners Academy at Plium Park in Lisarow, a match that can be watched live on the Football NSW YouTube channel for those of maroon and blue persuasion unable to make it up the motorway.
Following the First Grade action on the evening, APIA’s Under 20 Men’s side secured a 4-0 win over Wollongong’s Under 20’s. The goals started in the 7th minute through Ali Saab, followed up by Oscar Gonzalez on the other side of half time showing why he’s becoming a utility for First Grade as much as Dean Zammit’s team, before the scoring was rounded out by Kasra Manoochehry and an own goal from Wollongong’s James Carey which has the Marronazzuri 20s boys cheering starting their 2025 campaign on a high.
For all further information, readers are encouraged to visit and follow Club social media pages; Instagram, Facebook, and X/Twitter primarily with more video content available on YouTube and TikTok.
MATCH INFORMATION
APIA Leichhardt Men’s First Grade – 3; Stewart 17’ (P), Segreto 54’, Kelly 72’
Wollongong Wolves Men’s First Grade – 3; Scott 27’ (P), Hernandez 73’, Olsen 75’ (P)
National Premier League Men’s New South Wales Round 1
Lambert Park, Marion Street, Leichhardt NSW 2040
Saturday 8 February 2025
Join the Conversation: #APLvWOL #NPLMNSW #ForzaAPIA
APIA Leichhardt Men’s First Grade: 80. Oliver KALAC (GK), 2. Seiya KAMBAYASHI, 5. Dredon KELLY, 7. Jack STEWART, 8. Joel BERTOLISSIO (18. Adrian UCCHINO 75’), 9. Presley ORTIZ, 15. Themba MUATA-MARLOW, 17. Jordan SEGRETO, 21. Michael KOUTA (6. Anthony SPARACINO 90’), 22. Eddie CASPERS, 99. Franco FARINELLA (30. Alex DENMEAD 75’)
COACHES – Franco PARISI, David D’APPUZO
UNUSED SUBSTITUTUES – 1. Anthony BOUZANIS (GK), 14. Max COURT, 41. Nick AZZONE
CARDS – 2: 99. Franco FARINELLA (Yellow, 49’), 8. Joel BERTOLISSIO (Yellow, 75’)
Wollongong Wolves Men’s First Grade: 1. Oliver YATES (GK), 2. Harrison BUESNEL, 3. Darcy MADDEN (6. James ANAGNOSTOPOULOS 45’), 4. Dylan RYAN, 5. Banri KANAIZUMI, 11. Sebastian HERNANDEZ, 17. Marcus BEATTIE, 21. Nicholas OLSEN, 24. Lachlan SCOTT, 29. Ben GIASON (15. Dax KELLY 67’), 77. Raphael LE’AI (25. Alex MASCIOVECCHIO 87’)
COACH – Warren GREIVE
UNUSED SUBSTITUTUES – 13. Daniel SOLSKY (GK), 8. Sebastian DUARTE, 9. Damon GRAY
CARDS – 2: 77. Raphael LE’AI (Yellow, 31’), 29. Ben GIASON (Yellow, 54’).
Match Officials: CR. Danny Horstead, AR1. Lachlan Hines, AR2. Joshua Eiser, FO. Nick Gela.
APIA Leichhardt Men’s Under 20s – 4; Saab 7’, Gonzalez 57’, Manoochehry 65’, Carey (OG) 75’
Wollongong Wolves Men’s Under 20s – 0
National Premier League Men’s New South Wales Round 1
Lambert Park, Marion Street, Leichhardt NSW 2040
Saturday 8 February 2025
Join the Conversation: #APLvWOL #NPLMNSW #ForzaAPIA
APIA Leichhardt Men’s Under 20s: 54. Liam McMASTER (GK), 13. Kasra MANOOCHEHRY (39. Liam IPPOLITO 76’), 14. Max COURT (25. Dylan COTTER 76’), 16. Sean SYMONS, 19. Owen HENDERSON, 26. Oscar GONZALEZ (23. Danil ROMANOV 70’), 29. Maksim KASALOVIC (32. Paolo PUSATERI 64’), 33. Ali SAAB, 36. Jensen VOUT (34. Joshua FALATO 70’), 38. Morrie KAMARA, 49. Yohann D’Souza.
COACH – Dean ZAMMIT
UNUSED SUBSTITUTUES – 59. Ryan DI BONA (GK)
CARDS – 0
Wollongong Wolves Men’s Under 20s: 19. Max CUNIAL (GK), 2. Ryan LOWE, 3. James CAREY, 4. Alessio CENCIGH, 8. Liam BELL, 10. Lucas Trajcevski (9. Willam ROBAAED 70’), 11. Kalani VELLA (5. Billy APOSTOLATOS 70’), 12. Yunpeng BAN (7. Tyler KING 70’), 13. Cooper SCHOFIELD, 14. Jack McCLATCHIE, 17. Anton RADICE-JONES (15. Dylan KING 64’).
COACHES – Daniell ZELENY, Gregory VALIC
UNUSED SUBSTITUTUES – 1. Jacob HASTINGS (GK)
CARDS – 1: 8. Liam BALL (Yellow, 41’)
Match Officials: CR. Nick Gela, AR1. Lachlan Hines, AR2. Joshua Eiser
Images courtesy of Mario Andreacchino / Catch The Action Sports Photography
