A rugged pitch in a worn-down ground is nearing the end of its old-school days, as Lambert Park prepares for a $2.2 million redevelopment that will see the home of APIA Leichhardt transform into a more modern State League ground.
But the Tigers look determined to see off the pre-development Lambert Park in a suitably strenuous fashion, after only a goalkeeping error denied them a hard-earned three points in a physical encounter with Sutherland Sharks.
Ryan Norval dropped a harmless ball whipped in at the feet of Perry Moustakas just five minutes before he had to leave the field with an injury, allowing Sutherland to rescue a point in a game where they were outplayed and outmuscled in the opening hour.
APIA started the brighter under a cooler 3pm sun than last week’s match, with Nicola Rizzo controlling the play and wrecking havoc on a Sutherland team that sat deep and struggled to break the Tigers on the counter.
With a roster that will challenge the league, it was a poor first half performance from the visitors as the physicality and rigged match left them struggling for ideas. They attempted to use the wings but failed on the rough pitch, and it only resulted in Rizzo having plenty of time and space on the ball in the centre of the park. Sutherland’s midfield trio were unable to use the ball effectively, and the Sharks only small spark early – right-sided players Jamie McMaster and Nathan Elasi – were soon bullied out of the game.
The opening goal came for the Tigers just three minutes before the break, a crucial factor in the match as heading into the sheds at 0-0 would have been a crushing blow for the hard-working home team. It was Nikola Taneski who scored a cracking goal, with a smart run and a composed finish across goal into the bottom corner.
Sutherland came out with a more aggressive attitude in the second term, but still struggled to beat down a determined APIA Leichhardt. Following Moustakas fortunate equaliser, the Sharks pushed hard in the final 15 minutes, only to see their efforts thwarted by a deep defensive line and strong, unrelenting challenges.
The point, perhaps a fair reflection given Sutherland’s host of late chances, leaves the Sharks undefeated on seven points, while APIA sit with the two points. They have six more consecutive home matches before the Lambert Park renovations and will be hunting hard for victories before facing a difficult end to the season playing away from home.
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