Sunny Six Point Sunday as APIA Men & Women Win at home
MATCH REPORT: APIA Leichhardt Men’s First Grade 2-0 Sydney FC Youth – NPL Men’s NSW Round 5 2025 & APIA Leichhardt Women’s First Grade 2-0 Macarthur Rams – NPL Women’s NSW Round 1 2025
Two two-nil scorelines on a superb afternoon of action at Lambert Park saw APIA Leichhardt Men’s First Grade return to the winners’ circle of the NPL Men’s NSW competition defeating Sydney FC, and APIA Women’s First Grade kicking off their 2025 season with a bang getting some early revenge over NPL Women’s NSW 2024 Grand Final opponents, Macarthur Rams.
The hosts wasted no time making an impact, with the in-form Jordan Segreto delivering a perfect lateral pass that Michael Kouta clinically finished just three minutes into the match for his second goal of the season thus far.
Sydney struggled to break through a rock-solid defensive line, as Themba Muata-Marlow and Josh Symons shut down every attacking move. The visitors managed a few half-chances, with Oliver Kalac standing strong in goal to deny any real threats.
The second half saw both teams battling for control, with Sydney coming closest in the 63rd minute when Mathias Macallister broke free but struck the woodwork. With 10 minutes remaining, APIA sealed the result. Joel Bertolissio forced his way into the penalty area, and Alex Denmead ensured the ball found the back of the net, securing the crucial second goal.
After conceding 12 goals in the opening four matches, this clean sheet was a statement performance. Head coach Franco Parisi praised the team’s resilience, calling it a hard-earned three points.
“Sydney FC is always going to be a good game,” Parisi said to Football NSW Media
“They do everything right, they’ve got some great young players and two goals was enough.
“It’s a continuation of what we’ve been working on and I think the scoreboard reflects that.”
A confidence-boosting win, with momentum now building for the next challenge ahead.
Shortly after, APIA Leichhardt Women’s First Grade kicked off what we hope will be a silverware-filled season, and Brad Attard’s ladies did so in perfect fashion securing a 2-0 victory over Macarthur Rams in a highly anticipated Grand Final rematch at Lambert Park.
Prolific striker Ash Crofts wasted no time making her mark, scoring twice in the first half to seal a strong opening-round result.
Macarthur entered the match with a vastly changed squad from last season’s championship-winning side, but Vitoria Guzman’s team showed resilience, challenging APIA at times and enjoying periods of control.
The opening exchanges were cagey, but APIA struck with the first real opportunity. A pinpoint long ball from Christina Kiceec found Crofts, who used her strength to turn Chantelle Maniti before breaking away and slotting past Issabella Coelho with trademark composure.
Moments later, Charlotte Lancaster tested Coelho with a powerful strike, forcing an excellent save. Macarthur had their best chance of the half when captain Lola Sossai broke down the right and fired just inches wide.
APIA continued pressing, with former Ram Mel Caceres nearly doubling the lead against her old side with a well-struck volley, only for Coelho to deny her. The rebound fell to Crofts, but the striker narrowly missed from close range.
As halftime approached, APIA found the second goal. Lancaster unlocked the Rams’ defense with a precise pass, and Crofts made another sharp run, rounding Coelho before calmly finishing into an empty net.
APIA nearly put the result beyond doubt when debutant Hannah McNulty came off the bench and met a cross with a well-placed header, only for Coelho to deny her with a stunning one-handed save.
Macarthur’s last real chance came through Tea Mucenski, whose free kick was well handled by Sophie Magus.
Head coach Brad Attard will be pleased with a strong opening-round performance, and with McNulty building towards full fitness, the squad is shaping up well for the challenges ahead.
APIA Womens’ Under 23’s played out an intense 3-3 draw with Macarthur’s under 23s which saw Brinley Gentle bag a brace and Alicia Meuronen score spectacularly from way downtown, while APIA’s Mens Under 20’s went down to Sydney’s 20s 1-0.
Next weekend sees APIA’s Mens sides host St George FC at Lambert Park on Saturday afternoon and APIA Women’s host Gladesville Ravens on Sunday!
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MATCH INFORMATION
APIA Leichhardt Men’s First Grade – 2; Kouta 3′, Denmead 79′
Sydney FC Men’s Youth – 0
National Premier League Men’s New South Wales Round 5
Lambert Park, Marion St Leichhardt 2040
Sunday 9 March 2025
Join the Conversation: #APLvSFC #NPLMNSW #ForzaAPIA
APIA Leichhardt Men’s First Grade: 80. Oliver KALAC (GK), 2. Seiya KAMBAYASHI (41. Nick AZZONE 80′), 4. Josh SYMONS, 7. Jack STEWART, 9. Presley ORTIZ (30. Alex DENMEAD 68′), 15. Themba MUATA-MARLOW, 17. Jordan SEGRETO, 18. Adrian UCCHINO (c) (29. Maksim KASALOVIC 68′), 21. Michael KOUTA, 22. Eddie CASPERS (6. Anthony SPARACINO 80′), 24. Cameron FONG (8. Joel BERTOLISSIO 35′)
COACHES – Franco PARISI, David D’APPUZO
UNUSED SUBSTITUTUES – 1. Anthony BOUZANIS (GK)
CARDS – 0; nil
Sydney FC Youth First Grade: 30. Gus HOEFSLOOT (GK), 4. Joseph CALUSIC, 5. Corey CRONIN (26. Dylan ROSE 44′), 6. Tyler WILLIAMS, 9. Mathias MACALLISTER, 11. Marin FRANCE (33. Zac FOWLER 73′), 21. Zac DE JESUS, 22. Will KENNEDY (14. Jared MIDDLETON 57′), 25. Alen HARBAS (c) (2. Noah MATHIE 73′), 27. Lachlan MIDDLETON, 29. Joe LACEY
COACHES – Jimmy VAN WEEREN, James SLAVESKI
UNUSED SUBSTITUTUES – 12. Alexander ZAVERDINOS (GK)
CARDS – 1: (Yellow, 29. Joe LACEY 41′)
Match Officials: CR. Declan WOODS, AR1. Cameron WRIGHT, AR2. Isaac RIGGS, FO. Thomas DALE
APIA Leichhardt Women’s First Grade – 2; Crofts 15′, 43′
Macarthur Rams Women’s First Grade – 0
National Premier League Women’s New South Wales Round 1
Lambert Park, Marion St Leichhardt 2040
Sunday 9 March 2025
Join the Conversation: #APLvMAC #NPLMNSW #ForzaAPIA
APIA Leichhardt Women’s First Grade: 1. Sophie MAGUS (GK), 5. Teal KILBRIDE, 6. Mona WALKER, 7. Charlotte LANCASTER, 10. Melissa CACERES, 11. Ashlie CROFTS (13. Jordan JASNOS 77′), 14. Mia GOLDING (25. Aurelia COLLINS 89′), 15. Gisella PIPINO (8. Hannah McNULTY 60′), 16. Estelle FRAGALE, 21. Kaitlin KIPARIZOV (19. Imogen LANE 60′), 24. Christina KICEEC.
COACHES – Bradley ATTARD, Kevin BUSH
UNUSED SUBSTITUTUES – 30. Paige CUTHILL, 20. Zoe PANAGOPOULOS CARDS – 0; nil
Macarthur Rams Women’s First Grade: 20. Issabella COELHO (GK), 3. Chantelle MANITI, 5. Lola SOSSAI, 9. Tea MUCENSKI, 10. Sakura NOJIMA, 12. Matilda DIAS (30. Janaya BAROUDI 66′), 13. Libby MORRIS (19. Maddison SWATRIDGE 77′), 15. Mya YAGHI, 22. Halle CALLOW, 26. Amalia PLUMMER (25. Claire CORBETT 45′), 27. Charlotte HAMPSHIRE.
COACH – Victoria GUZMAN
UNUSED SUBSTITUTUES – 24. Abbie PUCKETT, 29. Liana LUONG, 31. Jazlyn LEWIS-ZRAIKA. CARDS – 2; (Yellow – 26. Amalia PLUMMER 44′, 15. Mya YAGHI 67′)
Match Officials: CR. Lucy HUNGERFORD, AR1. Stephanie HILTON, AR2. Ana ZASTAVNIKOVIC, FO. Hamish LITTLE
Article written by Jude “JayDee” Dolan Images courtesy of Damian Briggs / Pitchside Media Solutions
