Spirit return to winning ways
NWS Spirit FC returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over the Wollongong Wolves in round 13 of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW at Christie Park on Saturday.
The winner was scored by 20-year-old Harry Keys who scored his first ever NPL Men’s NSW goal and one that he will long remember in Spirit colours.
After a cautious opening, the first big chance of this one fell to the visitors. Lachlan Scott nearly producing the spectacular with a flick inside the six yard box around the quarter hour, his shot just missing the left post from a Marcus Beattie delivery.
It was Spirit who opened the scoring though, Harry Keys scoring his first senior goal in style. Keys fended off his defender before picking the lock with a powerful finish into the top right corner thanks to a neat Michael Konestabo assist.
Wolves almost found an equaliser from the set piece soon after. Raphael Le’ai shot just wide of the right post from a short corner routine before the half hour mark.
Michael Konestabo and Yu Okubo nearly added a second at the other end, Okubo’s chance the pick of the two forcing a save out of Oliver Yates.
Wolves perhaps unlucky to be behind heading into half time, it was the hosts who had the first chance of the second half though Takumi Ofuka drawing a save from Yates after Okubo slipped a pass to his left.
Nicholas Olsen responded with a chance at the other end a couple minutes later. The former A-League player testing the gloves of Christopher Marques with a powerful shot in the 56th minute.
Both sides were exchanging chances, the latest of which saw Bradie Smith denied by yet another sharp save from Yates in a crowded area around the hour mark.
Consecutive shots soon followed from Olsen inside the box in the 84th minute, the closest the Wolves came to an equaliser.
The full-time whistle sounded much to the delight of the Spirit faithful who celebrated a victory after five long weeks.
NWS Spirit FC Head Coach David Perkovic was a relieved figure following his side’s 1-0 win over the Wolves.
“’I’m really proud of the boys energy today.
“I thought the first half was pretty even, we defended well enough to not concede before Harry Keys gave us a really good moment.
“It’s been an interesting journey for Harry, his got plenty of talent and his willingness to go at players is rare these days but it’s great to see his confidence growing weekly.”
Match Stats
NWS Spirit FC 1 (Keys 27’)
Wollongong Wolves FC 0
Saturday 3rd May, 2025
Christie Park, Macquarie Park
Referee: Thomas Dale
Assistant Referees: Hayden Miclmayi & Lindsay Edmonds
Fourth Official: Michael Patti
NWS Spirit: 1. Christopher Marques, 4. Bradie Smith, 6. Corey Kavanagh (19. Zayne Ahluwalia 82’), 7. Frankie Ljucovic, 8. Grant Cornwell, 9. Yu Okubo (14. Marco Arambasic 83’), 10. Michael Konestabo (17. Jacob Chidiac 79’), 13. Simon Nicholas, 15. Jamie Percevski, 21. Harry Keys (5. Jordan Perez 73’), 22. Takumi Ofuka.
Substitutes Not Used: 51. Christophe Chen, 3. Kyah Williams
Yellow Cards: .Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Wollongong Wolves: 1. Oliver Yates, 2. Harrison Buesnel, 4. Dylan Ryan (3. Darcey Madden 81’), 6. James Anagnostopoulos, 7. Woon Sub Sim (25. Alex Masciovecchio 70’), 14. Banri Kanaizumi, 17. Marcus Beattie, 21. Nicholas Olsen, 24. Lachlan Scott, 29. Ben Giason, 77. Raphael Le’al (10. Liam Ball 81’)
Substitutes Not Used: (3. Darcey Madden 81’),9. Damon Gray, (10. Liam Ball 81’), 13. Daniel Solsky, 15. Dax Kelly
Yellow Cards: Kanaizumi 28’, Ryan 58’, Madden 83’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3- Harry Keys (NWS)
2- Corey Kavanagh (NWS)
1- Michael Konestabo (NWS)
By Justin Smith
