The left-back enjoyed a tasty battle with friend and Sydney FC man Adam Biddle as the Tigers ran out 3-0 winners over Blacktown City Demons at Lambert Park.

It was the home side’s first win of the 2008 Telechoice Premier League campaign while the visitors remain without a win in four matches so far this season.

Two goals from Franco Parisi and one from Robert Younis proved decisive with D’Apuzzo full of praise for the duo.

Younis stretched to turn the ball past ex Sydney FC man Matthew Nash on 26 minutes with Parisi rounding the keeper nine minutes later to double the advantage.

Biddle and D’Apuzzo clashed on the left touchline in the opening minutes of the second half with Biddle taking exception to his friend’s challenge.

The result was put beyond doubt on 59 minutes as Parisi composed himself before curling a cracking strike into the top left hand corner of the net.

Blacktown rarely threatened to haul themselves back into contention in the autumn sunshine although they did enjoy a couple of half chances.

Nick Ruoco rifled just wide midway through the second half, Ken Chun thundered a shot over the crossbar while Nash spread himself well to block an effort from Bruno Salas.

It all left D’Apuzzo, part of Australia’s 2005 Under 17 World Cup along with the likes of Nathan Burns, Robbie Kruse, Leigh Broxham and Kaz Patafta , to reflect on a good afternoon’s work.

He told au.fourfourtwo.com: “It was a very important game for us. We’d gone three matches without a win and we needed to get our season on track quick smart.

“We took our goals well. In Robbie Younis and Franco Parisi I think we’ve probably got the best two strikers in the league. To have them on fire makes everyone’s jobs a lot easier.”

David hopes he can help Apia to more success but he would love to grace a bigger stage eventually.

He said: “One of my ambitions is to play in the A-League and every time I go out there I hope I perform as well as I can for the team and hope that it’s noticed and that someone is watching. I’d love an A-League spot.

“My brother (Adam D’Apuzzo) had exactly the same thing happen to him. He was playing in the Premier League for Marconi Stallions and now he’s there at the Newcastle Jets.

“I’ve had a couple of years with injuries but hopefully now I can stay fit and keep playing well.

“You need to be a good player, playing well but also that element of luck of being in the right place at the right time.”