The South Coast Wolves are finally howling after a second half comeback led by Brendan Griffin and Peter Simonoski gave them the first win of the season with a 3-2 victory at WIN Stadium on a chilly Thursday evening.
White Eagles talisman striker Robert Younis popped up in the ninth minute after a save from Tom Manos to put the visitors ahead 1-nil.
Wolves were unperturbed by the goal, as they almost fashioned a response immediately with Peter Simonoski unable to force his effort goalwards.
Most of the first half continued in the same vein, as chances flew in at both ends.
Younis had a chance to make it a brace when he produced a tame shot, which was held by Manos.
Once again, most of the movement from the Wolves came through Simonoski, who had a tame effort of his own in the 26th minute that was gleefully clutched by James Chronopoulos at the second attempt.
Their endeavour was rewarded six minutes later.
A successive glut of corners brought panic in the Bonnyrigg backline. The third in the series, was taken short to Simonoski, who gave a lovely cross for Bradley Welch to glance home for 1-1.
Before the home side could bask in the celebrations, Bonnyrigg went ahead.
Skipper Chris Tadrosse glided down the wing, piloted a cross onto the head of Younis to lead in the 32nd minute.
After the frantic opening half hour, the game settled into a pattern as the White Eagles dominated possession, holding their 2-1 lead going into the break.
The half-time words of Wolves coach Nahuel Arrarte fired up the home side, finding an equaliser in the 50th minute.
Brendan Griffin finished off a nice interplay move around the box, he curled a shot past Chronopoulos for 2-2.
Stojic’s goal gave them impotence to push on further, getting all three points and their season back on track. Arrarte highlighted this further throwing on attacking threat Jordan Murray for the final half hour.
The cause was helped further by a red card to Bonnyrigg’s Benjamin Spruce right on the hour mark, for dissent after a free-kick awarded to his side.
Wolves could smell blood, almost going ahead in the 65th minute if not for a goal-line clearance from Japanese import Yuta Kokada. The midfielder turned defence into attack moments later with a Younis header going for a corner after his robust work.
Down to ten men, the White Eagles were stretched which led to their downfall. The ball found its way to Simonoski who tucked away the chance to give Wolves a shock 3-2 lead.
A one goal advantage could have been a few more, as the game continued to stretch with Bonnyrigg chasing the game.
Referee Kurt Ams blew full-time much to the delight of the home fans who celebrated the club’s maiden victory for 2015 claiming a huge scalp in Premiership contenders Bonnyrigg.
It was Bonnyrigg’s third loss in as many weeks after being dumped from the Westfield FFA Cup by Manly United to a round 6 loss to Sydney United 58 FC.
Afterwards Arrate was pleased with his team.
“It was a hard fought win against a quality opposition. We spoke about keeping it simple, playing to our strengths.” beamed the winning coach.
Bonnyrigg coach, Brian Brown was disappointed.
“Come here, score two goals should have been enough to win, we’re leaking goals,” he lamented.
Match Stats
South Coast Wolves 3 (Welch ’32, Griffin ’55, Simonoski ’68)
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 2 (Younis ‘9 and ’32)
Thursday 23rd April 2015,
WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Referee: Kurt Ams
Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields & Nathan Wotton
Fourth Official: Adam Naylor
South Coast Wolves: Manos, Alsaad, Madden, Griffin, Price, Stojic, Simonoski (Fielding ’92), Zucco (Murray ’57), O’Rourke, Welch (Wilson ’86), Matthews
Subs not used: Hamilton, Baldacchino
Yellow Cards: Matthews
Red Cards: nil
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: Chronopoulos, Mansueto, Tadrosse, Zonjic, Younis, Spruce, Jenner, Miller (Zonjic ’63), Gil (Canak ’74), Kokado, Peterson (Diaz ’28)
Subs not used: Caira, Fox, Gobbo
Yellow Cards: Diaz, Mansueto, Miller
Red Cards: Spruce
Player Points:
3 – Peter Simonoski (Wolves)
2 – Robbie Younis (Eagles)
1 – Bradley Welch (Wolves)
-By Justin Davies, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 1 Reporter, at WIN Stadium
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