Late Wolves winner breaks Wanderers hearts
Wollongong Wolves recorded their second victory of the 2023 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season in dramatic fashion on Sunday afternoon, defeating Western Sydney Wanderers 1-0 at WIN Stadium thanks to a late Jake Trew winner.
After a hard-fought contest in the Illawarra that saw clear goal-scoring opportunities arise at a premium, Trew proved the difference with a powerful drive into the bottom corner deep into second half injury time.
The substitute proved to be the centre of all the late action, with his 93rd-minute winner closely followed by a straight red card in the 98th.
However, the Western Sydney Wanderers ran out of time to strike back and once again endured late heartbreak for the second week running.
With both teams entering the contest with only one win to their names so far this campaign, it was the experienced home side who started the brighter.
Josh McDonald forced Lawrence Caruso into a couple of sharp saves, the first coming from open play in the 14th minute before the goalkeeper soared high to his right to tap a dangerous free kick to safety in the 38th.
Those two chances bookended a few decent opportunities for Andrew Christiansen’s side, as Teng Kuol sent one whistling past the wrong side of the post and the Wolves were forced to scramble clear a couple of set-pieces.
With both teams heading into the break locked scoreless, the visitors looked to burst out of the blocks in the second half.
Excitement machine Marcus Younis was the first to attack the net of Nenad Vekic, as he skied a strike over the bar in the 49th minute.
A game-changing moment then arrived in the shape of a substitution made by David Carney, with Jake Trew replacing Mirza Muratovic in the 50th minute.
The former Western Sydney Wanderers academy product was in the thick of the action almost immediately, going close in the 55th minute before rounding the goalkeeper ten minutes later – only unable to steer his effort on target.
The Red and Black then bounced back, as their substitute Zac Sapsford headed an effort wide in the 71st minute, before Nathaniel Blair thought he found himself through on goal with five minutes remaining – only to be denied by the offside flag.
Another substitute Mason Fernandez created a couple of opportunities of his own, however his shots in the 89th and 92nd minutes could not trouble Vekic.
The Wolves then went up the other end and produced the game’s decisive moment.
Trew highlighted his impact on the game off bench by cutting inside from the byline and cannoning a powerful left-footed effort into the bottom corner – to the delight of the home fans.
A few minutes later he was then sent for an early shower, with Adrian Arndt consulting with his assistant before tarnishing a straight red card, after a brief melee in the 96th minute.
Wollongong would not have to play with ten for long, however, as the full-time whistle soon sounded to seal an important three points for the club based south of Sydney.
In round six action, the Wolves play at WIN Stadium once again when they host Rockdale Illinden FC on Friday, while Western Sydney Wanderers will look to bounce back at home to Sydney Olympic on Saturday.
Match Stats
Wollongong Wolves FC: 1 (Trew 90+3’)
Western Sydney Wanderers FC: 0
Sunday 5th March 2023
WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Referee: Adrian Arndt
Assistant Referees: Cameron Wright and Hayden Michimayr
Fourth Official: Hadi Al-Nakeeb
Wollongong Wolves: 1. Nenad Vekic, 3. Harrison Buesnel, 5. Banri Kanaizumi ©, 7. Marcus Beattie, 8. Samuel Riak, 9. Takumi Ofuka, 10. Mirza Muratovic (14. Jake Trew 50’), 23. Walter Scott, 25. Alex Masciovecchio (6. Senna Stevenson 71’), 88. Christopher McStay, 99. Joshua Macdonald (16. Thomas Dunn 96’)
Substitutes not used: 13. Tomas Butkovic, 15. Ethan Beaven, 12. Ryan Mrvcic, 17. Denim Nou
Yellow cards: Buesnel 18’, McStay 34’, Scott 74’, Riak 89’
Red cards: Trew 90+8’
Western Sydney Wanderers: 20. Lawrence Caruso, 4. Alex Bonetig 5. Daniel Wilmering, 6. Frans Deli, 7. Marcus Younis (27. Farah Koko 57’), 8. Jarrod Carluccio, 9. Nathaniel Blair 12. Edmond Lupancu, 14. George Antonis © (23. Mason Fernandez 68’), 24. Teng Kuol (3. Liam Bonetig 82’), 77. Ariath Piol (11. Zachary Sapsford 57’)
Substitutes not used: 22. Jesse Cameron, 30. William Loucas
Yellow cards: Deli 87’
Red cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 – Banri Kanaizumi (WW)
2 – Lawrence Caruso (WSW)
1 – Jake Trew
By Football NSW Reporter and Commentator Chris Curulli (@ChrisCurulli on Twitter)
