Apex United, with Emre Demir pulling the strings from deep, passed the ball with a hypnotic, patient rhythm.
But Leo's black and gold fortress refused to crumble.
At the heart of it all was Matias Gallardo, a 17-year-old defensive prodigy who played with the composure and intelligence of a ten-year veteran.
He was a magnet for the ball, appearing from nowhere to intercept a pass or make a perfectly timed tackle.
On the pitch, the frustration was starting to boil over.
"He's a bloody octopus!" Jonathan Rowe grumbled to his full-back after Gallardo had effortlessly dispossessed him for the third time. "He's got eight legs, I swear!"
In the 38th minute, the tension finally snapped.
Kenny McLean, after a long spell of possession, finally found a gap and drove forward.
He was cynically tripped from behind by an Orion midfielder, a tackle that had no intention of winning the ball.
The referee's whistle blew, and the first yellow card of the derby was shown.
