Rangers get back to winning ways

Mount Druitt Town Rangers secured a vital 3-0 win against Wollongong Wolves to keep their top five hopes alive tonight at a frosty Popondetta Park

The Rangers got themselves back in the winner’s circle with a pair of second-half goals from star striker Jack Stewart, while a late Fumoto Kamada strike ensured the home side took all three points.

Earlier custodian Carlos Saliadarre saved a spot-kick which helped to kickstart their revival in the second half.

Wollongong Wolves will be disappointed to miss their chance to secure a spot in the top five of the National Premier Leagues Men’s competition. Luke Wilkshire’s men have flown under the radar the past few weeks which saw them land a top five spot although this loss saw the South Coast side brought back down to earth.

They did have a spot-kick for Lachlan Scott which was saved at the start of the second half which was their best chance.

Aiming to consolidate their spot in the top five, Wollongong Wolves headed to Sydney’s west on a mission to pick up three points.

The visitors were the better sides in the opening exchanges but their only chance came through a tame Leroy Jennings shot.

Mount Druitt’s recent form may have been disappointing but they didn’t let that stop them as they worked into the game quickly.

Jason Perez and Mitchell Smith both arrowed wide of Wolves keeper Hayden Durose’s post.

Jack Stewart has been the standout performer for the Rangers and tried to make his mark on the contest in the opening half. The striker flashed one wide of the post as the game waited for the opening goal.

As the game ticked into half-time, Wollongong had a chance from the set-piece. Leroy Jennings stood over the free-kick, but it was deflected wide. Both sides battled hard but headed into the sheds locked at 0-0.

The temperature kept dropping in Emerton but the second half started at a hot tempo.

The Wolves were given the ideal start to the half from the spot.

Lachlan Scott was fouled, he stepped up and his effort was saved well down to the right by the evergreen Rangers custodian Saliadarre which kept the game deadlocked at 0-0

Cooper Coskerie has been a consistent performer for Mount Druitt this season and the midfielder had a pair of chances to find the back of the net. Coskerie went for a low free-kick which Durose claimed well then the midfielder blazed a cutback from Stewart high and wide.

The game ticked into the hour mark and the contest had its opening goal. Smith with a wonderful chest which played in Mount Druitt Town Rangers striker Stewart who cut inside and finished well to make it 1-0 for the home side.

Mount Druitt doubled their delight in the 66th minute again through Stewart. He took possession on the right, cut inside and cushioned the finish off the inside post to make it 2-0 for the home side. It was the ace marksman’s eighth goal of the NPL NSW Men’s 2021 campaign.

Aiming to keep their foot on the throat, Mount Druitt brought on Toufic Alameddine to bolster their attacking stocks.

The pacy winger was into the action immediately, setting up a shot for Coskerie before he flicked an effort over for a corner.

Wolves had a chance to reduce the deficit when Ethan Kambisios rattled the bar from 25 yards out before the follow up from Scott inside the area was thrashed wide, as the hopes for a comeback started to fade.

The home side had all three points signed, sealed and delivered in the 90th minute. Substitute Fumoto Kamada made space for himself inside the box and finished across Wolves keeper Durose to give the home side a 3-0 win.

Rangers coach Stuart Montgomery was delighted in the result praising his side’s control of the contest.

“I thought we completely dominated the game and stayed in our structure. It allowed us to stay in our structure and go on with it in the second half,” he said.

“I think we got a bit complacent in recent weeks but had a good training week and will enjoy this one tonight.”

Wollongong Wolves coach Luke Wilkshire said the defeat was a wasted chance for his side.

“It was an opportunity missed for us. Goals change games and we didn’t deal with some direct balls which led to them scoring,” Wilkshire said.

“It was an even contest. We missed the penalty and then were unable to deal with them in the second half.”

Match Stats

Mt Druitt Town Rangers 3 (Stewart ‘61, ‘66, Kamada ‘89)

Wollongong Wolves 0

Saturday 29th May 2021

Popondetta Park, Emerton

Referee: S. Kelly

Assistant Referees: C. Wright & M. Staples

Fourth Official: E. Saba

Mt Druitt Town Rangers: 1. SALIADARRE Carlos, 2. MONAHAN-VAIKA Solomon-John, 3. OUGHTRED Travis, 4. SMITH Mitchell (10. TSUJIMURA ‘79), 7. STEWART Jack (14. KAMADA ‘87), 8. PEREZ Jason (9. ALAMEDDINE ‘70), 17. COSKERIE Cooper, 18. MACEROLA Jared, 21. ELRICH Tarek, 22. MAMONE Jake, 33. WARREN Marc

Substitutes not used: 6. THOMPSON Blake, 13. RAMEZANI Omid, 26. SUNMOLA Olayinka

Yellow cards: Mamone

Red cards: nil

Wollongong Wolves: 2. MCDONALD Taylor, 5. KELLY Dax, 6. KAMBISIOS Ethan (9. DUARTE ‘82), 7. BEATTIE Marcus (13. DIMOSKI ‘75), 11. JENNINGS Leroy, 14. LOW Brendan, 15. LOE Daniel, 17. LAVALLE Jake, 20. WILLE Liam (10. DARJANI ‘62), 23. DUROSE Hayden, 24. SCOTT Lachlan

Substitutes not used: 1. MUMFORD Aidan, 12. TARANTO Hamilton, 16. MCFARLANE Fletcher

Yellow cards: nil

Red cards: nil

*Player Ratings have now been hidden 

By National Premier Leagues NSW Reporter Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)