Wolves find a way to secure points at the Central Coast

Wollongong Wolves produced a clinical 2-0 win over Central Coast Mariners in a scrappy battle at Pluim Park on Sunday afternoon. 

Wollongong made good use of their pressing throughout the match, and it proved the catalyst for their victory.

Raphael Le’ai opened the scoring for the Wolves midway through the first half before Marcus Beattie added a second soon after halftime.

The game got off to a timid start with neither team creating anything of substance in the opening 10 minutes.

Wollongong started to hold more of the ball over the next few minutes as the lively Alex Masciovecchio continued to find space down the left.

The Wolves’ initiative paid off 21 minutes in as they took the lead. Le’ai snatched the ball on the right and sprinted into the box before rolling a composed finish past Joel Wade.

Wollongong’s pressing almost provided a second goal eight minutes later, when Marcus Beattie intercepted a pass and found Nicholas Olsen in the area, who forced Wade into a low stop.

Olsen had another chance 37 minutes in, attempting a volley on the spin from the edge of the box that bounced safely to Wade.

The visitors took their slender lead into the break after a strong first half from the side.

Wollongong could not have made a better start to the second half as they doubled their lead within 30 seconds. Beattie picked off Wade’s pass out from the back, allowing the midfielder to send the ball into the bottom left corner.

Despite this early action, the second half adopted a cautious tone, as neither team offered consistent quality in the forward areas.

Substitute Jesse Mantell looked dangerous on occasion for the Mariners with his willingness to run at the Wolves’ defence showing promise. Mantell saw a shot blocked from the right of the box for the hosts soon after coming on.

However, the Wolves remained disciplined in their defensive shape, eager to hold on to a winning position, that would secure them a vital result.

In the 88th minute, Luca Pecora drove through the middle of the pitch for Central Coast and took aim from range, but his effort provided comfortable work for Wolves goalkeeper Daniel Solsky.

Despite Pecora’s late strike, the Mariners could not find a way back into game as Wollongong took all three points.

Match Stats

Central Coast Mariners FC 0

Wollongong Wolves FC 2 (Raphael Le’ai 21’, Marcus Beattie 46’)

Sunday 15 June 2025

Pluim Park, Lisarow

Referee: Danny Horstead

Assistant Referees: James Makris and Michael Patti

Fourth Official: Matthew Harris

Central Coast Mariners FC: 40. Joel Wade, 2. Luca Pecora, 3. Michael Paragalli, 4. Rocco Smith, 5. Ben Mewett, 9. Ahmad Elhelou, 10. Ayouk Mow (38. Harrison Jablonski 67’), 11. Jai Rose, 21. Muginga Mpota (17. Jesse Mantell 54’), 23. Laurence Taylor (15. Freddie Clunas 73’), 24. Kye Schumacher (14. Angus Reid 67’)

Substitutes Not Used: 20. Jared Williams, 22. Shumba Mutokoyi

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil

Wollongong Wolves FC: 13. Daniel Solsky, 2. Harrison Busenel, 4. Dylan Ryan, 5. Banri Kanaizumi, 8. Sebastian Durate (7. Woon Sub Sim 71’) , 9. Damon Gray (11. Lucas Trajcevski 71’), 17. Marcus Beattie, 21. Nicholas Olsen, 25. Alex Masciovecchio, 29. Ben Giason, 77. Raphael Le’ai (6. James Anagnostopoulos 86’)

Substitutes Not Used: 1. Oliver Yates, 10. Liam Ball, 15. Dax Kelly

Yellow Cards: Sebastian Duarte 52’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings: 

3 – Marcus Beattie (WW)

2 – Dylan Ryan (WW)

1 – Raphael Le’ai (WW)

Report by Tim Gibson