Heroic ten-man Wolves hold out Sharks
A 10-man Wollongong Wolves earned a 1-0 victory over Sutherland Sharks in a fierce encounter on Saturday afternoon at Seymour Shaw.
Leroy Jennings was sent off for the visitors in the 61st minute, but just a couple of minutes later the side scored the only goal of the match through Josh Macdonald.
The match is the first for Sutherland under the new leadership of Luis Contigiani and Steve Gordon, after former coach Nick Dimovski moved to the Director of Football role this week.
The Wolves created an opening within the first four minutes as Lachlan Scott turned on the left corner of the box and curled a right-footed effort just wide of the far post.
Ten minutes later, the away side had another chance as Takumu Tsujimura took on a first-time shot from the edge of the box that was held onto by Jacob Cremen-Cowan in the Sharks’ goal.
In the 16th minute, Sutherland created a chance of their own as Patrick O’Shea capitalised on a turnover from the Wolves on the edge of their own box, lofting the ball just over the crossbar.
Seven minutes later the side had another opportunity as James Andrew burst into the right channel of the box weaving his way through several challenges, however his shot went wide of the near post.
With 10 minutes to go in the half, Wolves’ midfielder Macdonald delivered a corner from the left that was met by Jennings at the near post whose flicked-on header was blocked.
Three minutes after this, Sutherland forward Andrew found himself in behind with space on the right but his cross went over the crossbar for a goal kick.
At the break, the scores remained deadlocked with neither side able to consistently create chances in the match.
Andrew was involved again for the Sharks in the 49th minute, this time taking on a volley from the right that bounced into the arms of Wollongong ‘keeper Hayden Durose.
Macdonald crossed a free kick from the right towards Nick Littler at the back post in the 56th minute, but Littler could only head wide of the left post.
Two minutes later, Sharks’ player Lachlan Everett took on a first-time shot from outside the box that bounced into the gloves of Durose.
In the 61st minute, the away side was reduced to 10 men when Jennings was shown his second yellow card of the match.
However just two minutes later Wollongong took the lead as Macdonald was played in behind in plenty of space on the left and sent a composed finish past Cremen-Cowan into the net.
Midway through the second half, Sutherland nearly equalised as a cross into the box from the left found Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu, who from close range could not get over the ball with his header going over the bar.
With 15 minutes left to play, Gabriel Contigiani had a shot from a long way out for the Sharks that sailed over the bar.
Wollongong keeper Durose failed to hold onto a ball into the box in the 85th minute, with it eventually dropping to Lachlan Macdonald but his effort was blocked.
Moments later, Ahmed-Shaibu had a shot that was cleared off the line by Wollongong defender Senna Stevenson.
In stoppage time, Sutherland’s Michael Neill found space on the left but powered his shot wide of the near post.
Despite a late surge of attacks for the Sharks, they were unable to find an equaliser as the Wolves ran out 1-0 winners.
Sutherland co-coach Steve Gordon was happy with the commitment the side showed in the match.
“We had a disruptive week. The boys actually stood up and trained well,” he said.
“Proud of the boys’ effort [in the game], we just couldn’t get there in the end.
“That’s football.”
Wollongong Wolves goalkeeper Hayden Durose was delighted with the victory especially considering the side were a man light for the last third of the match.
“It’s unbelievable from the lads. Being a man down as well and even scoring after it happens showed a lot of heart, desperation as well in defence,” he said.
“Desperately needed those three points. [It’s been] a bit of a slow start to the season.”
Match Stats
Sutherland Sharks 0
Wollongong Wolves 1 (Josh Macdonald 63’)
Saturday, 14 May, 2022
Seymour Shaw, Miranda
Referee: Hassan Jomaa
Assistant Referees: Cameron Wright and Amber Morris
Fourth Official: Logan Jones
Sutherland Sharks: 26. Jacob Cremen-Cowan, 2. James Baldacchino, 3. Gabriel Contigiani, 6. Patrick O’Shea, 10. Lachlan Everett (99. Lachlan Macdonald 65’), 12. Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu, 14. Chris Lindsay, 17. James Andrew (9. Jeremy Cox 75’), 21. Michael Neill, 22. Nick Sullivan, 23. Mark Rodic
Substitutes Not Used: 16. Nathan Denham, 25. Luke Sauer, 28. Jacob Tresoglavic, 80. Nelson Lam
Yellow Cards: James Baldacchino 34’, Gabriel Contigiani 39’, Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu 42’, Mark Rodic 53’
Red Cards: Nil
Wollongong Wolves: 1. Hayden Durose, 3. Darcy Madden, 5. Banri Kanaizumi, 6. Senna Stevenson, 9. Peter Simonoski (4. Nikola Djordjevic 90+1’), 10. Takumu Tsujimura, 11. Josh Macdonald, 15. Nick Littler, 16. Guy Knight, 22. Leroy Jennings, 24. Lachlan Scott (14. Nicholas Duarte 76’)
Substitutes Not Used: 19. Jake Lavalle, 25. Nav Darjani, 12. Harrison Taranto, 13. Tomas Butkovic,
Yellow Cards: Leroy Jennings 45+1’ 61’, Josh Macdonald 69’, Guy Knight 90’
Red Cards: Leroy Jennings 61’
Player Ratings:
3 – Josh Macdonald (WW)
2 – Senna Stevenson (WW)
1 – James Andrew (SS)
-By Tim Gibson
