Sydney Olympic take Lambert Park by storm

APIA Leichhardt Tigers and Sydney Olympic clashes are always something to look forward to given that these two clubs were once premium brand clubs in the old National Soccer League.

A modern day, 2011 encounter, whilst certainly not on that scale, is still rather special and today’s clash in the NSW Premier League was certainly something to remember.

In fact, the permanent return to Lambert Park for the Tigers adds the extra nostalgic dimension.

The historical ground will shortly undergo a $2 million plus makeover but for now it remains largely intact from its halcyon days of the National Soccer League in the late 1980s.

Sydney Olympic arrived at the boutique venue full of hope and determination and in the end took home all three points by the sheer quality of their play.

It was clear from early on that Olympic was determined when Robert Mileski received the ball and then turned and fired just wide of the mark.

The opening goal arrived shortly afterwards when Alex Smith on the right found Mileski who, with a powerful shot, forced the ball into the net.

In the 34’ minute Smith, who is proving to be an astute off season recruit from Fraser Park, ran down the left flank and fired in from almost the impossible angle.

The goal was remarkable as it seemed to defy the laws of geometry to end up in the back of the net.

Late in the first half Chris James forced Paul Henderson into a beautiful diving save to turn his dangerous free kick away for a corner, but it was no more than A.P.I.A. Leichhardt could provide in the first half.

In the second half it was obvious that the Tigers were going to chase the game with vigor.

In the 52nd minute James ran from halfway before ending up in a goal scoring position that he took full advantage of.

With a cool head he slotted the ball home and the Tigers had reason to smile.

However the smile turned to disappointment when Phil Makrys forced his way through the heart of the A.P.I.A. Leichhardt defence and scored with ease.

It was disappointing for A.P.I.A. Leichhardt to see the two goal lead immediately restored.

When Alex Smith made it four for the visitors a short time afterwards with a clever individual goal it was to be the straw that broke the camel’s back for A.P.I.A.

Smith will next season join A-League club Gold Coast United and there is good reason to believe that the Queenslanders are on the money.

Late in the game there were two more great chances – one for each side – but neither was successful.

A.P.I.A. Leichhardt’s Nick Rizzo fired across the entire face of an open goal whilst Olympic’s reply was through Gullo who squandered a one-on-one with a goal there for the taking.



A.P.I.A. LEICHHARDT 1
(James 52’)
SYDNEY OLYMPIC 4
(Mileski 13’, Smith 34’ and 59’, Makrys 53’)


A.P.I.A. LEICHHARDT: 1. Jose Bello-Amigo, 2. Mark Byrnes, 3. John Kelso, 13. David D’Apuzzo (7. Stephen Kayes 63’), 4. Cole Tinkler, 5. Michael West, 6. Marton Vass, 23. Chris James 11. Nicola Rizzo, 9. Robbie Younis (8. Anthony Hartshorn 74’), 10. Franco Parisi (19. Samuel Messam 74’).

Subs not used: 40. Stefan Giglio, 16. Nathan Milgate

YELLOW CARDS: Byrnes 44’, James 72’

RED CARDS: Nil

SYDENY OLYMPIC: 1. Paul Henderson, 2. Emmanuel Giannaros (4. Ibrahim Haydar 65’), 3. Brett Studman, 5. Richard Luksic, 6. Alex Smith, 7. Phil Makrys, 8. Chris Triantis (23. Taka Oki 70’), 11. Robert Mileski (9. Hussein Akil 78’), 16. Peter Triantis, 18. Jerry Kalouris, 19. David Gullo.

Subs not used: 21. Nenad Vekic, 14. William Angel