Wolves outgun Olympic in rescheduled fixture
Wollongong Wolves secured three points with a 1-0 victory over Sydney Olympic on Wednesday night in a round 4 rescheduled NPL NSW Men’s fixture at Belmore Sportsground.
A well-taken penalty from Lachlan Scott in the 20th minute was all it took for the visitors to take away the win, despite a hard-fought battle between the two teams with the win lifting the 2019 Premiers to sixth on the ladder, a point adrift from the top five.
Wollongong dictated play in the opening stages of the match with a great display of attacking prowess from their forward line which saw Olympic’s Jason Madonis forced to make an impressive clearance off the line in just the 15th minute.
Fans didn’t have to wait long for a goal, with a penalty awarded in the 20th minute after a hand ball from Daniel Dias.
Scott stepped up to take the penalty and calmly sent his strike down the middle of the goal and over Olympic keeper Christopher Parsons, who dove to his left to notch up his second of the year.
Madonis again pulled off a crucial clearance in the 24th minute after a great combination play from the visitors.
Scott created several opportunities in the following minutes, but Parsons was prepared and managed to keep the dangerous striker at bay.
Olympic had a chance from a free kick in the 31st minute, however Wollongong keeper Hayden Durose managed to reject a terific ball from Brendan Cholakian.
Olympic came out firing in the second half with a cross from Marley Peterson meeting the head of Oliver Puflett in front of goal, however the header hit the post.
Puflett had another chance just moments later after receiving a ball from Michael Glassock, but his header was this time collected by Durose.
Peterson fired a ball towards goal in the 50th minute, but it ricocheted off the woodwork, leaving the home side still without a goal.
The late stages of the second half were an intense battle between both teams as Olympic mounted pressure on a heavily defensive Wollongong, however neither team were able to convert their chances, leaving Wollongong with a 1-0 victory at the final whistle.
Wolves coach Luke Wilkshire was pleased with his team’s efforts after a short break.
“We showed desperation and the fight for the three points,” he said.
“We had to work hard for it in the end but I think it was a very good first half display and a well-deserved three points.
“We played just on Sunday so we had some fresh legs, we’ve had a few injuries, and the boys that have come in did a great job.
Olympic coach Ante Juric was proud of his team’s fight until the final whistle.
“We never gave up,” he explained.
“The first half was very, very disappointing, very poor.
“The second half we came out and we dominated, and we probably should have got a draw out of that.
“We just need to be switched on, we weren’t at the start and that showed and that’s why we were 1-0 down.”
Match Stats
Sydney Olympic FC 0
Wollongong Wolves FC 1 (Lachlan Scott (pen) 20′)
Wednesday 14th April, 2021
Belmore Sportsground
Referee: M. Bailey
Assistant Referees: C. Wright and S. Allum
Fourth Official: S. Quinn
Sydney Olympic FC: 2. Thomas Whiteside, 4. Benjamin van Meurs, 5. Michael Glassock (39. Peter Politis 78’), 8. Jason Madonis, 9. Oliver Puflett (14. Peter Kekeris 74’), 10. Brendan Cholakian, 17. Marley Peterson (22. Fabio Ferreira 65’), 18. Yu Hasegawa (35. Mohamed Adam 45’), 21. Fabian Monge (6. Nikola Kulekski 45’), 23. Daniel Dias, 70. Christopher Parsons
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Luke Kairies
Yellow Cards: Jason Madonis 20’, Nikola Kuleski 55’, Peter Politis 78’)
Red Cards: Nil
Wollongong Wolves FC: 2. Taylor McDonald, 4. Nikola Djordjevic, 6. Ethan Kambisios, 7. Marcus Beattie, 10. Van Elia (16. Fletcher McFarlane 67’), 14. Brendan Low, 15. Daniel Loe, 18. Hamish Lamberton (, 8. Nav Darjani 78’), 20. Liam Wille (17. Jarvis Paterson 58’), 23. Hayden Durose, 24. Lachlan Scott (13. Stefan Dimoski 78’)
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Aidan Munford, 19. Evan Ball
Yellow Cards: Van Elia 30’, Ethan Kambisios 66’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Lachlan Scott (WW)
2 – Taylor McDonald (WW)
1 – Jason Madonis (SO)
-By Football NSW Reporter Madeline Riley (@madelineriley23)
