Wollongong Wolves has announced that Jacob Timpano will be stepping down from his position as head coach of the club for the 2019 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season due to time and family considerations.
The Wolves thanked Jacob for his tireless time, effort and expertise that he brought to the senior squad during his tenure.
During that time, Jacob saw the club qualify for finals, make the FFA Cup Round of 32 and he was personally nominated for coach of the year on two occasions.
Jacob’s win percentage is among the highest of all of the club’s coaches since its inception.
Jacob performed admirably as our senior coach at such a young age and played a crucial role in attracting players of the calibre of Nick Montgomery, Luke Wilkshire and Yuzo Tashiro and nurtured many more local players.
Jacob will remain an important and influential member of the club.
He will also continue his role as SAP technical director.
-Wollongong Wolves Press Release
Archives for August 2018
Finals Series Week Two – NPL NSW U20 Men’s Review
Sutherland Sharks 2-0 Sydney United 58, Saturday 5.00pm at Lambert Park
Sutherland are one win away from back to back Grand Final appearances after edging out Sydney United 58 2-0 at Lambert Park’s elimination final on Saturday evening.
Leroy Jennings was the hero for Nick Dimovski’s side, opening the scoring early in the second half before laying on a sublime assist for Lachlan Everett’s match-clinching strike in the final minute of normal time.
The win redresses a torrid end to the season for the Sharks, who relinquished their 2017 Premiership title to Blacktown City and entered the contest off the back of a 5-0 hammering at the hands of Sydney FC last Saturday.
Moreover, Sutherland had won just three of their last eleven games prior to kick off and it took a huge show of character from the Sharks to bounce back from their implosion against the Sky Blies.
That defeat may have influenced a cautious opening half from both sides which offered little chances to either team, although Sharks centre half Harrison Quirk did have to head United 58 striker Nathan Manno’s goal-bound effort clear late in the half.
Miro Vlastelica’s Reds were the competition’s form team heading into the finals series and it took more desperation defending from Sutherland to repel an early barrage of pressure from the Reds in the second half.
But the Sharks would take the lead against the run of play through Jennings, who weaved past two defenders in the United 58 box before rifling the ball in at the near post on the hour mark.
It was the first goal United 58 had conceded in over 400 minutes and one that would prove the matches turning point – although the Sharks did live dangerously at times and required a huge second half from Quirk and Harry Sutherland to carry Sutherland over the line.
Having broken the deadlock early in the second half, it was the inspirational Jennings who turned provider in the final minute of normal time and found Everett at the back post, who lashed an unstoppable drive across goal.
Sutherland will now face Blacktown City in next weekend’s qualifying final after the 2018 Premiers were beaten 2-0 by Sydney FC at Lambert Park on Sunday afternoon.
Sharks coach Nick Dimovski said the gutsy performance from Sutherland was a strong show of character, and remarked that the team’s hopes of claiming back to back championships are still alive.
“We’re daring to dream,” he said.
“I think today Sydney United were well organised by Miro (Vlastelica) and are very hard to break down.
“We dug deep today and we showed a lot of character. Full credit to Sydney FC last week – no excuses, we got beaten but we bounced back today.
“I said to the boys that good teams don’t lose two in a row. No one’s going to remember the 5-0 defeat to Sydney if we go on to win the Grand Final.”
Match Stats
Sutherland Sharks 2 (Jennings 56’, Everett 89’)
Sydney United 58 0
Saturday 25th August 2018
Lambert Park, Leichhardt
Sutherland Sharks: 33. Thomas Papa, 17. Leroy Jennings, 53. Kuot Malliet, 10. Josh Da Silva, 6. Lachlan Everett, 12. Blair Brown, 24. Adam Massoud, 26. Harry Sutherland, 27. Harrison Quirk, 21. Nikolas Loe, 31. Gabriel Contigiani
Substitutes not used: 42. Mario Aleksic, 47. Jacob Gjorsevski, 43. Charlie Jones, 23. Deren O’Brien, 3. Richard Stewart
Yellow cards: Everett 31’, Massoud 41’
Red cards: N/A
Sydney United 58: 11. Joshua Derossi, 37. Modassir Hussain, 38. Nathan Manno, 35. Cole Mutton, 31. Anthony Pedavoli, 27. Dimitri Petratos, 28. Kyle Sarigiannis, 24. Anthony Trimboli, 33. Luke Vlastelica, 32. Anthony Vrlic, 1. John Hall
Substitutes not used: 26. Harry Darwand, 7. Mihael Marcic, 9. Ivan Ozanic, 4. Niokla Pintur, 12. Nicholas O’Brien
Yellow cards: Marcic 86’
Red cards: N/A
Blacktown City 0-2 Sydney FC, Sunday at Lambert Park
Blacktown City will now face Sutherland next weekend for a spot in the Grand Final after Sydney FC secured their ticket with a 2-0 win over the Premiers at Lambert Park on Sunday.
Ben Van Meurs picked a great time to open his account for the season after putting Sydney ahead with his first half header, while Daniel Maskin added another midway through the second half to seal the deal for the Sky Blues.
Following on from last Saturday’s sensational 5-0 win over Sutherland Sharks, it was another impressive showing from Giancarlo Italiano’s men, who will enter the Grand Final with back to back clean sheets.
After missing out to Blacktown in the Premiership race, Sydney’s ruthless display in the finals may just see them enter as favourites.
The Sky Blues have certainly learnt from the lessons of the 2017 finals series – which saw the team defeated on penalties by eventual champions Sutherland and turned over by underdogs APIA Leichhardt.
Blacktown will now face Sutherland in next weekend’s qualifying final.
By Jacob Windon
Edensor Park ready for battle this Saturday
Sydney United Sports Centre will be the setting this coming Saturday (1st of September) as either Sydney United 58 or APIA Leichhardt Tigers will fight out for the final spot in the 2018 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Grand Final to be played on Sunday 9th of September at Leichhardt Oval to face Premiers Sydney Olympic.
It will be the first day of Spring which will see a titanic battle take shape in Sydney’s West and at one of Australian football’s most iconic spots where a number of former National Soccer League legends and Socceroos graced Sydney United Sports Centre with two iconic teams going at it for that final spot.
Whatever the result will be, the 2018 NPL NSW Men’s Grand Final will be one not to be missed as it will be Sydney Olympic, a club steeped in history taking on either Sydney United 58 or APIA Leichhardt Tigers.
It will be a feast of football on Saturday as two big matches will take place prior to the big one at 7:30pm as Rockdale City Suns face Blacktown City at 2:30pm in the Grade 18’s while at 5pm Sutherland Sharks battle Blacktown City – the winners of both ties will face Sydney FC in both grades in the 2018 NPL NSW Men’s Grand Final.
NPL NSW Men’s Preliminary Finals Fixtures
Saturday 1st September
Sydney United Sports Centre
U18
Rockdale City Suns FC v Blacktown City FC 2:30pm
U20
Blacktown City FC v Sutherland Sharks FC 5:00pm
1st Grade
Sydney United 58 FC v APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC 7:30pm
Final Series Week Two – NPL NSW Men’s Review
Sydney Olympic is only one game away from claiming a historic National Premier Leagues Premiership and Championship double after securing their place in this season’s grand final with a win against Sydney United 58.
APIA Leichhardt tigers have flexed their National Premier Leagues NSW Championship credentials with an incredible 8-2 demolition of Rockdale City Suns at Lambert Park on Saturday.
Tigers’ fans thought they had seen it all in Tuesday night’s FFA Cup giant-killing of reigning A-League Champions Melbourne Victory, but the Lambert Park faithful will be pinching themselves again after witnessing their side move one game away from the grand final with a truly one-sided triumph.
The incredible rout began with the fifth-minute dismissal of Rockdale defender Blake Ricciuto, who was given straight red after tripping the goal-bound Sean Symons. APIA stalwart Themba Muata-Marlow buried the resulting penalty kick, and the floodgates opened.
Franco Parisi’s glorious run and pass saw a rare goal for fullback David D’Apuzzo, while FFA Cup hero Tasuku Sekiya added a third from close range after Symons’ shot had cannoned back off the foot of the post.
And when Howard Fondyke volleyed the Japanese attacker’s cross past Ante Covic at the back post five minutes later, the Tigers were in dreamland.
The misery continued for Rockdale in the second stanza. Symons headed D’Apuzzo’s centre home, and Paul Reid’s side were reduced to nine when Aleksandar Canak was dismissed for his second booking.
Substitute Samuel Gulisano opened his first-grade account from the penalty spot after a Suns handball and soon had a brace – and APIA’s seventh – after rifling in a deflected effort that left Covic rooted to the spot.
Rockdale pulled two consolation goals back via Alexander Malfara and Michael Neill, before Sekiya clinched his double, and fifth goal in a week, with a delightful lob over the former Western Sydney Wanderers gloveman.
Sekiya’s dink proved to be the final kick of a crazy encounter, and undoubtedly an NPL NSW clash that will live long in the memory.
Sydney Olympic is one game away from securing a historic National Premier Leagues NSW Championship double after defeating Sydney Olympic 58 4-0 in the Major-Semi Final at Lambert Park on Sunday.
A hat-trick to Spanish import Alex Sanchez, along with one goal to Olympic skipper Jason Madonissecured the win for the blues, with their robust defence keeping Sydney United 58 off the scoreboard.
The victory for Olympic was their third consecutive win over Sydney United 58 and capped off their Premiership winning season with a direct run to the Grand Final.
Sanchez would be the first on the scoreboard in the 20thminute, heading home a goal.
Madonis doubled the lead for Olympic only ten minutes later, capitalising on a clearance from Sydney United 58 which saw the ball fall to his feet outside the box.
Sanchez made it 3-0 in the 32nd minute, landing a ball in the back of the net just two minutes later.
An incredible hat-trick for Sanchez came 30 minutes from full-time after he slalomed through the United 58 defence before cooly finishing to wrap up the 4-0 victory.
Olympic will have a week off next week as they prepare for the Grand Final, whereas Sydney United 58 will play-off against APIA for a place in the decider.
Sydney Olympic Grand Final Bound After Defeating United
Sydney Olympic is one game away from securing a historic National Premier Leagues NSW Championship double after defeating Sydney United 58 FC 4-0 in the Major-Semi final at Lambert Park on Sunday.
A hat-trick to Spanish import Alex Sanchez, along with one goal to Olympic skipper Jason Madonissecured the win for the blues, with their robust defence keeping Sydney United 58 off the scoreboard.
The victory for Olympic was their third consecutive win over Sydney United 58 and capped off their Premiership winning season with a direct run to the Grand Final.
Sydney United 58 were determined to make a positive start to the game, sending three shots towards goal in the first 12 minutes, but Paul Henderson proved staunch in defending the sticks.
Chris Payne created the first chance for United 58 in the 6th minute but sent the ball flying over the bar.
The visitors had another opportunity in the 10th minute, with Payne making a promising forward run, which was cleaned up by the Olympic custodian.
Max Burgess looked for the first for Olympic in the 15th minute, sending a shot blazing towards goal, but Thomas Manos managed to deny Burgess the opener.
Sanchez would be the first on the scoreboard in the 20th minute, heading home a goal.
Max Burgess sent a shot towards the sticks which was deflected to Radovan Pavicevic.
Pavicevic then sent a header to Manos, who deflected the ball back out to Sanchez, who was able to knock the ball to the back of the net.
Madonis doubled the lead for Olympic only ten minutes later, capitalising on a clearance from Sydney United 58 which saw the ball fall to his feet outside the box.
The skipper fired a powerful shot into the back of the net to take the lead to two.
Sanchez didn’t wait long to further extend the lead, landing a ball in the back of the net just two minutes later.
Some brilliant teamwork from Olympic saw the ball work its way from Henderson to Pavicevic on the wing, who slid the ball to Sanchez.
The striker sent the ball over Manos into the back of the net to score his second of the night.
Despite some promising opportunities from the visitors, Sydney United were unable to get on the scoreboard, hitting the sheds for the break without a goal.
Max Burgess kicked off the second half with promise, making a run towards goal, but sent his shot to the hands of Manos.
Sanchez landed the trifecta in the 63th minute, working his way through United 58’s defence to score.
The Spaniard was met with a standing ovation from Olympic when he made his way off the field in the 77th minute, after a sensational performance.
Sydney United 58 coach, Miro Vlastelica, explained that despite another loss to Olympic, his team would move forward and prepare to take on APIA for a second time in finals next weekend.
“I thought the first 20 minutes we were definitely in the game and there were a few lapses in concentration and they punished us.”
“A good side like Olympic is going to do that.
“Once you concede in finals football it’s always hard.
“We just move on now, work hard through the week and prepare for APIA.”
Olympic coach, Abbas Saad, was very pleased his team took the simplest road to the Grand Final.
“I’m very happy, excited obviously for the boys.”
“We didn’t want to fall at this stage and that was the message throughout the week.”
Looking toward the Grand Final, Saad explained he would prepare for either opponent.
“We’ve just got to worry about ourselves, we’ll prepare for United or APIA.
“The Grand Final is just a special day and it’s a one-off game and I think the team that’s going to turn up and play the better football will probably win, and that’s what we’re preparing for.”
Match Stats
Sydney Olympic 4 (Alejandro Sanchez 20’, 32’, 63’, Jason Madonis 30’)
Sydney United 58 0
Sunday August 26, 2018
Lambert Park, Leichardt
Referee: M Weiner
Assistant referees: N Backo & J Adabjou
Fourth offical: D Stack
Sydney Olympic: 1. Paul Henderson, 2. Tom Whiteside, 7. William Angel (33. Niko Tsattalios), 8. Jason Madonis, 9. Radovan Pavicevic (18. Brendan Hooper), 10. Max Burgess, 11. Jinya An, 12. Zachary Mackenzie, 14. Alejandro Sanchez Lopez (5. James Demetriou), 19. Darcy Burgess, 23. Riley Woodcock
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Eze Consoni, 21. Stephen Athanaseris
Red Cards: Nil
Sydney United 58: 2. Christian Gonzales (7. NaimRahimi), 3. Jordan Roberts, 6. Christopher Payne, 8. Matthew Sim, 11. Yianni Perkatis (4. Luke Vlastelica), 12. Shannon Cole, 14. Nick Stavroulakis (5. Anthony Vrlic), 15. Tariq Maia, 18. Glen Trifiro, 21. Thomas Manos, 22. Yianni Fragogiannis
Substitutes Not Used: 13. Sam Perre, 40. John Hall
Yellow Cards: Christopher Payne 65’, Nick Stavroulakis 65’, Luke Vlastelica 83’
Red Cards: Nil
By National Premier Leagues reporter Madeline Reilly