APIA Leichhardt, 3:30pm Sunday 16th June (Away)

Having been away in the UK for the past 4 league and cup games I was blessed with a game that I could walk to from my home in Marrickville. I was worried that it would be behind closed doors again but to my relief, as I wondered up to Lambert Park, not only had the rain stopped but I was able to gain entry into the old ground. Lambert Park is one of the few grounds in the inner city left and has been on the site since the club’s formation in 1954. There is only one stand along Marion Street to provide cover from the elements and about 3 quarters of this has now been condemned due to the old roof falling in. Behind one goal is a hill with benches that offer a good view and behind the other goal is the light rail track. The other side of the ground is dominated by a warehouse and where the sheds and club bar are. The surface is a good quality synthetic, and was in no way hindered by the heavy rain earlier in the day.

Lambert Park

I took up my spec on the side of the sheds next to the Croatia bench, were I was standing next to club legend Petar Markovic. Croatia came out in their away blue and the game got underway. It would be fair to say that Croatia came out of the blocks a lot faster than APIA and created a number of chances in the opening 20 minutes. The game was changed dramatically 25 minutes in when Simonoski was sent through on goal, only to be hauled down on the edge of the box by Muata-Marlow. The APIA number 15 was sent off as he was the last man and left his team to play an hour of football one man down. The free kick came to nothing and the game restarted. Less than 5 minutes later Simonoski was brought down on the edge of the box again to give Croatia a free kick in a dangerous position. Croatia number 3 Jordan Roberts unleashed a beauty that was spectacularly tipped round the post by Necevski in the APIA goal. Now dominating possession, Sim also went close before the first half ended, but the chance went begging and the half finished goalless. Former Croatia stalwart Nick Stavroulakis(now with APIA) was greeted warmly by the Croatia faithful as he walked past us during the interval warming up. Thanks for the years Stav.

First half action

Having survived the onslaught of Croatia for much of the first half, APIA came out of the sheds raring to go and were unlucky not to take the lead when another former Croatia man – Chris Payne – stole possession and a cross was narrowly missed by Biczo at the far post. Croatia were having a lot of the ball but could not find the breakthrough in the final third. Old boy Stav was sent on by APIA for the closing stages and the SUS gave him a nice tribute with a flag unfurled in his honour. As the game entered its final stages Croatia were undone by old boy Payne again. A ball to Payne on the right of the area seemed to be of little danger as he was surrounded by three blue shirts but he flicked a Rabona kick and it took a wicked deflection off the unfortunate Vlstelica and beat Manos at his near post. It was harsh on Croatia but they lacked in the final third and credit has to go to APIA who played an hour with ten men. I drank the rest of my Scotch from the hip flask and headed home. It was just one of those games, onwards and upwards. There is another big game Sunday at King Tom against Sutherland and the Waratah cup semi is in a few weeks against Budapest at King Tom as well. Also there is the FFA cup – the draw for the round of 32 is on the 26th of this month.

A large crowd at the game