Wolves pick up crucial victory over Rangers

Wollongong Wolves secured a 3-0 win over Mount Druitt Town Rangers at WIN Stadium on Friday night.

Two goals to Lachlan Scott and one to Nicholas Duarte took the hosts to three as they held out Mt Druitt, who have been known for their high-scoring matches.

The home side had a strong first half, limiting their opponents’ chances and creating numerous of their own.

Eight minutes in, Peter Simonoski found space on the right and delivered a cross towards the back post for Josh Macdonald whose header was blocked.

Ten minutes later, the hosts were awarded a free kick on the right that Macdonald put into the middle and found Scott who glanced his header into the gloves of Robert Fanella.

In the 25th minute, the Wolves looked to have received reward for their early efforts when Scott had the ball in the net, but it was ruled out for offside.

However, just four minutes later, Scott would score the first of the match as Senna Stevenson played the ball across to Scott centrally outside the box who speared his strike into the bottom-left corner.

Buoyed by Scott’s goal, Wollongong set their sights on more with Simonoski and Leroy Jennings both sending shots over from outside the box not long after.

The Wolves took their one-goal lead into the break looking to pick up their second win of the season.

Just three minutes into the second half, Macdonald took aim from the edge of the box bending an effort towards the right side of the net, but Fanella was equal to it.

With 52 minutes played, Mount Druitt set off on a rare foray forward as Jack Stewart was played in behind the right channel of the Wolves’ defence but blazed his shot over the bar.

In the 72nd minute, the Wolves were awarded a penalty.

Lachlan Scott took responsibility but saw his shot parried onto the crossbar by Fanella before the ball was cleared.

It didn’t take long for the side to find the second goal as from the resulting corner, Duarte was found free in the middle and headed home.

Only three minutes after this, Wollongong added a third with Duarte causing problems again this time driving into the left of the box before sliding the ball across to Scott who passed it into the netting.

The Wolves’ saw the game out ensuring the three points against Mount Druitt Town Rangers.

Wollongong Wolves coach Luke Wilkshire was pleased with the victory, especially considering the three goals scored.

“It was well deserved,” he said.

“A little bit more clinical upfront which is important. A much-needed win.”

Wilkshire also praised the performance of Duarte who scored a goal and picked up an assist after coming on as a substitute.

“Nico’s been fantastic. He’s been in and out [of the team], he’s had opportunities.

“He scored two great goals in the 20s in 45 minutes.

“He’s a young man who’s got a lot to give and that sort of impact is what you want,” he said.

Mount Druitt coach Stuart Montgomery felt there was a lot for his side to improve on across all aspects.

“That performance tonight was arguably the worst that we’ve played all year which is disappointing,” he said.

“We really let ourselves down in all phases of play.

“We have to stop conceding goals.”

Match Stats

Wollongong Wolves 3 (Lachlan Scott 29’, 76’, Nicholas Duarte 73’)

Mount Druitt Town Rangers 0 

Friday 22 April, 2022

WIN Stadium, Wollongong

Referee: Sam Kelly

Assistant Referees: Matthew Staples and Harrison Fisher

Fourth Official: Alessandro Llana

Wollongong Wolves: 1.Hayden Durose, 3.Darcy Madden, 5.Banri Kanaizumi, 6.Senna Stevenson, 9.Peter Simonoski (14.Nicholas Duarte 64’), 10.Takumu Tsujimura (12.Harrison Taranto 82’), 11.Josh Macdonald (19.Jake Lavalle 82’), 15.Nick Littler, 16.Guy Knight, 22.Leroy Jennings, 24.Lachlan Scott

Substitutes Not Used: 4.Nikola Djordjevic, 13.Tomas Butkovic, 25.Nav Darjani

Yellow Cards: Senna Stevenson 68’

Red Cards: Nil

Mount Druitt Town Rangers: 20.Robert Fanella, 4.Travis Oughtred, 6.Louis Khoury (10.Diogo Barbosa 60’), 7.Jack Stewart, 8.Jason Perez, 9.John Roberts, 11.Fumoto Kamada (41.Ivan Sunjic 81’), 12.Jake Trajkovski (25.Mohammed Sabbouh 81’), 17.Cooper Coskerie, 19.Bul Juach (18.Olayinka Sunmola 67’), 22.Rhett Desilva

Substitutes Not Used: 1.Matthew Symes, 26.Rocco Fragale

Yellow Cards: Bul Juach 28’, Travis Oughtred 30’, Jake Trajkovski 67’, Jason Perez 89’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings: 

3 – Nicholas Duarte (WW)

2 – Lachlan Scott (WW)

1 – Darcy Madden (WW)

By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Timothy Gibson