A Leroy Jennings hattrick has inspired Wollongong Wolves to their second victory in a row in a come-from-behind 3-2 win at Albert Butler Memorial Park against Sutherland Sharks.
It was a breakout performance from Jennings who opened his account in the 27th minute before scoring twice in 60 seconds late in the second half to secure a brilliant win for the Wolves. It was a memorable performance by the 2021 signing as it was the ace marksman’s first goals for the 2021 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s campaign following his off-season move from Blacktown City.
First-half goals to Chris Lindsay and Peter Simonoski had the Sharks in the box seat but they couldn’t maintain their momentum as Wollongong snatched the three points late in the contest.
It was a frustrating afternoon for the visitors with the side going down to the Wolves despite creating numerous goal-scoring opportunities throughout the match.
The Sharks had a bright start to the game with Chris Lindsay finding the opener 23 minutes in before a spectacular freekick from Leroy Jennings level the scores four minutes later.
It would be the visitors who would open the scoring through Lindsay.
A ball directed towards the back post from the right-hand side found Peter Simonoski in space who played the ball back to Lindsay sending a shot under the keeper and into the net.
Just four minutes later, the Wolves found the equaliser in spectacular fashion.
The side was awarded a freekick centrally from 30 yards out with Leroy Jennings bending a phenomenal effort into the top right corner in what was his first goal for the club.
In the 30th minute, the Sharks retook the advantage as the ball was worked well onto the left-hand side for Oliver Green, who sent a driven cross to Simonoski at the back post who tapped in from close range.
Sutherland continued to create chances for the remainder of the half and went into the sheds leading 2-1.
The away side nearly scored a third just after the break.
A lung-bursting run down the left-hand side following a Wollongong corner from James Andrew saw him face-to-face with Hayden Durose in the Wolves’ goal.
However, the forwards’ effort cannoned off the crossbar falling to Cox in the middle who was unable to convert into an unguarded net.
Despite the Sharks creating multiple openings in the match, an inspired two minutes from the hosts put the Wolves into the lead.
Seventy-two minutes in, Jennings once against restored parity for the home side scoring his second of the match.
Some neat footwork on the right-hand edge of the box presented him with the opportunity to power a strike into the roof of the net.
Less than a minute later, Jennings netted his third passing the ball into the bottom right-hand corner from inside the right-hand channel of the box.
Despite a couple of close calls in the latter stages of the match, the Wolves went on to secure back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
Wollongong Wolves’ coach Luke Wilkshire was pleased with the belief shown by the side to come from behind and win the match, but highlighted defending longer balls forward and set pieces as an area for improvement.
“You’ve got to have that belief and drive to go out there and believe we can get the three points,” he said.
“It’s a great group of guys, there’s a lot of belief and a lot of confidence in what we’ve got.
“We’ve to be better dealing with those longer balls and set pieces.”
Wilkshire also praised the match-winning display of Leroy Jennings whose hattrick today were his first goals for the Wolves since joining this year.
“It’s hard, he’s come to a new club and a different way of playing,” he said.
“He’s got quality and we saw that today.”
Sutherland Sharks’ coach Nick Dimovski was left frustrated with the number of missed opportunities from the side.
“I think we created enough chances to win the game three times and we didn’t put the game away, it comes down to executions,” he said.
“Disappointment in my forwards, I think.
“If you don’t score you don’t win.
“Credit to Wollongong they registered three goals on the scoresheet.”
Match Stats
Wollongong Wolves 3 (Leroy Jennings 27’,72’,73’)
Sutherland Sharks 2 (Chris Lindsay 23’, Peter Simonoski 30’)
Sunday 9 May 2021
Albert Butler Memorial Park, Primbee
Referee: C. Verdicchio
Assistant Referees: A. McConachie and M. Staples
Fourth Official: L. Webb
Wollongong Wolves: 23.Hayden Durose (GK), 2.Taylor McDonald, 3.Darcy Madden, 7.Marcus Beattie, 8.Brendan Griffin, 10.Nav Darjani (20.Liam Willie 56’), 11.Leroy Jennings (17.Jake Lavalle 89’), 15.Daniel Loe, 16.Fletcher McFarlane (6.Ethan Kambisios 46’), 19.Evan Ball, 24.Lachlan Scott (13.Stefan Dimoski 85’)
Substitutes Not Used: 1.Aiden Munford
Yellow Cards: Leroy Jennings 52’, Marcus Beattie 81’, Ethan Kambisios 87’
Red Cards: Nil
Sutherland Sharks: 1.Anthony Bouzanis (GK), 4.Brendan Hooper, 6.Patrick O’Shea, 7.Peter Simonoski, 8.Oliver Green (10.Lachlan Everett 74’), 9.Jeremy Cox (99.Jonathan Grozdanovski 74’), 12.Harry Sutherland,14.Chris Lindsay, 17.James Andrew, 22.Patrick Scibilio, 88.Christopher Mcstay
Substitutes Not Used: 13.Charlie Jones, 16.Gerard Roebuck, 3.Gabriel Contigiani, 5.Nic Petrillo
Yellow Cards: Patrick Scibilio 32’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Leroy Jennings (WW)
2 – Brendan Griffin (WW)
1 – Christopher McStay (SS)
– By National Premier Leagues NSW Reporter Timothy Gibson