United 58 roar past Wolves
Two goals in the final five minutes has helped Sydney United 58 to a dramatic 3-1 victory against Wollongong Wolves at WIN Stadium on Sunday.
It was a frantic end to the match as Goals in the 86th and 90th minute to substitutes Patrick Antelmi and Sam Perre wrapped up the three points for the visitors and their third win in as many games.
For the Wolves, it was a frustrating afternoon at the office, with the side creating numerous chances but failing to take them and were punished as a result.
The victory maintains United 58’s hold on third position on the ladder one point ahead Blacktown City who have a game in hand.
The hosts would open the scoring in the 18th minute after a strong start.
Yuzo Tashiro headed home a well-placed cross from Brendan Griffin to give Wollongong a 1-0 lead.
The Wolves would dominate the offensive chances in the opening half and would come agonisngly close to pulling two goals ahead in the 44th minute when Tashiro linked up with Peter Simonoski to give the young forward a chance to fire the hosts ahead.
But Simonoski chose to push the ball back towards Tashiro instead of fire at the goal, allowing Adrian Vlastelica to storm in and remove the potential danger.
United 58 were unwilling to lie down after going behind early on and they pulled themselves back into the match on the stroke of half-time.
A great pass into the box from Glen Trifiro found the feet of Chris Payne, who tapped his effort past Wolves shot-stopper Justin Pasfield to level the scores and pick up his eighth goal of the league campaign.
Despite going into the break on equal terms, Sydney United 58 came out seeking goals in the second half.
Panny Nikas caused a number of issues for the Wolves defence due to his long-range efforts which tested the keeping mettle of Pasfield, who was forced to work overtime to keep Wollongong in the match.
Wollongong almost forced their way into the lead in the 80th minute
However, a Luke Wilkshire cross found the head of Simonoski but the striker was unable to direct his effort on goal.
The visitors’ persistence would finally pay off in the 86th minute when a momentary lapse in the Wollongong defence allowed substitute Antelmi who fired in off the woodwork to give United 58 the lead with only four minutes left on the clock.
Desperate to grab a point from the match, Wollongong threw everyone forward but it left the door open at the back and United 58 capitalised when Perre finished a slick pass from Nikas to make it 3-1.
Sydney United 58 coach Miro Vlastelica believes the win will help improve the confidence shown by the side as they head into the final stages of the regular season.
“It’s massive. Every week is massive for us,” he said.
“We’ve set ourselves targets and little goals, and if we can keep picking up points especially in places like Wollongong, it’s good for us.
“The biggest thing for me at the moment is that the boys are enjoying their football and looking forward to each week and it’s good.”
Meanwhile, Wollongong coach Jacob Timpano was disappointed in the final result, but thought the Wolves were the better of the two sides.
“I thought we had the better chances throughout the match… but we didn’t take them and we got punished. That’s the way it goes,” he said.
“On the balance of it, with ten to go we probably looked like the only team winning the match.
“But credit to United, they have some classy players and they make you pay and they did today.”
Match Stats
Wollongong Wolves 1 (Yuzo Tashiro 18’)
Sydney United 58 FC 3 (Chris Payne 45′, Patrick Antelmi 86’, Sam Perre 90’)
Saturday, July 1 2018
WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Referee: K. Patterson
Assistant Referees: N. Backo and J. Park
Fourth Official: S. Grasso
Wollongong Wolves: 1. Justin Pasfield, 3. Darcy Madden, 4. Michael Robinson (17. Ryan Ensor 45’), 5. James Baldacchino (2. Taylor Macdonald 86’), 6. Nicholas Montgomery, 7. Chris Price, 8. Brendan Griffin (40. Takuya Nozawa 59’), 9. Peter Simonoski, 10. Joshua Macdonald, 30. Yuzo Tashiro, 26. Luke Wilkshire
Substitutes Not Used: 16. Luke Kairies (GK), 23. Steven Hayes
Yellow Cards: Takuya Nozawa 82’
Red Cards: Nil
Sydney United 58 FC: 2. Christian Gonzales, 4. Adrian Vlastelica, 6. Chris Payne (9. Patrick Antelmi 64’), 8. Mathew Sim, 11. Yianni Perkatis, 12. Shanon Cole, 15. Tariq Mair (13. Sam Perre 72’), 18. Glen Trifiro, 21. Thomas Manos, 22. Yianni Fragogiannis, 23. Panny Nikas
Substitutes Not Used: 1. John Hall, 3. Jordan Roberts, 7. Naim Rahimi
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
-By National Premier Leagues NSW reporter Cal Behrendt
