Saints hand Wolves first defeat in 2025 in comeback victory
St George FC have become the first side to defeat Wollongong Wolves this season with a gutsy 2-1 win at Barton Park.
It was Wollongong Wolves who opened the scoring at Barton Park, finding the net in under 90 seconds at Barton Park.
After a period of sustained possession, a good combination between the lines freed up Walter Scott, who played a perfect through ball into the path of the onrushing Raphael Le’ai.
Le’ai raced onto the pass, and while under intense pressure, converted clinically around the isolated Mackenzie Syron, in what was the perfect start for the away side.
In the 9th minute, St George looked to make a quick reply in front of a vocal home crowd, with good pressure from Sunday Yona high on the right allowing him to advance and find Jaden Casella in the box.
The striker was able to swivel from around the penalty spot, but saw his subsequent effort deflected.
Off the rebounding corner, St George had another strong chance, with Casella swinging in delightful corner that found the head of Troy Danaskos, but the fullback couldn’t find the target from outside the far post.
The home side continued to dominate following the early concession, with a strong flurry of corners piling pressure on the Wolves.
And in the 18th minute, their pressure paid dividends, with the home side finding an equaliser through a stunning flick from Bai Antoniou.
It was another fantastic delivery from Casellla, and was met at the far post by Nicholas Kalogerou, who headered the ball back across goal.
The in-form Antoniou met the ball in the air with an audacious form of backheel flick, and found the back of the net to equalise proceedings in sensational style at Barton Park.
St George continued to pile on the pressure, with the Wolves struggling to string more than three passes together, and created another chance as Evangelo Souris found Yona in behind with a strong first touch pass in behind after a weak goalkick from Oliver Yates.
Yona raced to engage in a 1v1 with Yates, but took his first touch too heavy, allowing the goalkeeper to race out and meet the ball.
Wollongong began to work their way back into the match soon after, as Alex Masciovecchio went close after stealing in behind down the left.
In the 35th minute, St George had a golden chance to find the lead however, substitute Thomas Dunn playing a pinpoint pass in behind to Casella in his first moment of the match.
Casella received the ball with just Yates to beat, but as the forward tried to dribble round the goalkeeper, he did exceptionally well to hold his ground, before making a spectacular save to keep it one apiece.
In the second half, Wollongong began in strong fashion, dominating proceedings in the first ten minutes.
As the match entered the hour mark, St George began to threaten, with two shots on the left dragging wide of the far post.
The second half evened out shortly after, with both sides struggling to create any meaningful chances but continuing to look sharp and possibly threatening.
But in the 77th minute, it was St George who took the lead, with substitute Harrison Farrow emerging as the hero at Barton Park.
After a good period of possession, Casella unleashed a curling shot from range that was spilled by Yates.
Farrow had taken the chance and followed through, and received high reward, tapping the ball home from close range in front of a roaring Barton Park to give the home side the lead.
Three minutes later, Wollongong almost responded, with Syron producing an amazing save to deny a curling shot from Masciovecchio.
In the 90th minute, Farrow should have had his brace, as the forward found himself free in the box after a clever square pass from Antoniou.
But from close range, the forward couldn’t find the target, and just a minute later, St George were almost made to pay.
An outswinging Wolves corner was met by a stunning backheel from Damon Gray – a similar technique to Antoniou’s first half goal – but his effort agonisingly hit the post, and that became the Wolves’ last chance of the match, with St George FC emerging with a gutsy three points in front of a jubilant crowd.
Match Stats
St George FC 2 (Antoniou 18’, Farrow 77’)
Wollongong Wolves FC 1 (Le’ai 2’)
Friday 21 March, 2025
Barton Park
Referee: Jake Rose
Assistant Referees: Blake Sanchez-Cruz and Rory McFarlane
Fourth Official: Reece Edwards
St George FC: 99. Mackenzie Syron, 3. Troy Danaskos, 4. Mark Rodic, 5. Nicholas Kalogerou, 6. Pat O’Shea, 8. Evangelo Souris, 10. Jaden Casella, 13. Sunday Yona (12. Thomas Dunn 34’ (35. Harrison Farrow 74’)), 14. Justin Poon (16. Kaidyn Wright 67’), 15. Bai Antoniou, 27. Jayden Seeto
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Daniel Axford, 23. Javier Rodriguez, 24. Matthew Brewster
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Wollongong Wolves FC: 1. Oliver Yates, 2. Harrison Buesnel, 5. Banri Kanaizumi, 6. James Anagnostopoulos (11. Liam Ball 84’), 7. Woon Sub Sim, 17. Marcus Beattie, 21. Nicholas Olsen, 24. Lachlan Scott, 25. Alex Masciovecchio (9. Damon Gray 84’), 29. Ben Giason (8. Sebastian Durate 84’), 77. Raphael Le’ai
Substitutes Not Used: 13. Daniel Solsky, 15. Dax Kelly
Yellow Cards: Buesnel 52’
Red Cards: None
Player ratings:
3 – Bai Antoniou (SG)
2 – Jaden Casella (SG)
1 – Lachlan Scott (WW)
By Jack George (@JackGeorge0004)
