Wanderers and Wolves fight it out for a point
Both teams were on the hunt for three points but had to share the spoils following the Western Sydney Wanderers’ 1-all draw against the Wollongong Wolves at Wanderers Football Park on Saturday.
It was a tactical opening 15 minutes between the two sides as they tussled for the advantage in this contest.
The Wanderers offered up the first chance of the game as Julian Cop wriggled free and sprayed an effort over the bar.
Next, it was the Wolves who tried their luck. The ball was cut to Ben Giason inside the box and he swept his shot wide.
Western Sydney Wanderers FC made it 1-0 in the 27th minute. Edmun Haddad was fouled inside the box as he dusted himself off to drill home from the spot. It was an important goal for the hosts who really needed to secure maximum points in their fight to starve off relegation to League One next year.
The Wolves surged forward with a few set pieces to find the equaliser.
Recent mid-season signing Flynn Madden tried to crane a header towards goal as he pushed to make a name for himself in his debut match for the club.
It was the youth side which ended the half on top. Richie Cardozo’s young troops had a pair of set pieces themselves with a header from Ricky Fransen which he nodded wide.
Kaan Nizam tried to give Wanderers a two-goal advantage in the 55th minute. He turned past his defender with style and unfurled a shot which Wolves keeper Daniel Solsky parried away.
Wolves substitute Sebastian Hernandez tried to spark his side to life. He cut inside and fired a shot which Wanderers custodian Tristan Vidackovic palmed away.
The visitors kept pushing as the ball fell to Dylan Ryan inside the box and he tried an acrobatic effort which hooked wide of the post in the 62nd minute.
The Wolves were racking up the set pieces in their chase for a leveller. Nicholas Olsen tried to weave some magic but the Wanderers defence stood firm.
Wollongong Wolves made it 1-1 in the 75th minute much to the delight of head coach Warren Grieve. Raphael Le’ai flighted in a cross which Olsen thumped towards goal and trickled into the net as the former Wanderer celebrated his tenth goal of the 2025 season.
The visitors were the side finishing the stronger. Another substitute Liam Ball was found on the edge of the box in the 87th minute and shot right at Vidackovic.
They had one final chance in stoppage time as the ball fell to Olsen inside the box but his effort was blocked well by the Wanderers defence.
It was the Wanderers however who had the final say in the contest. They pushed forward in the 94th minute and Jesse Cameron forced Solsky into a save to keep it at 1-1.
Post-match Western Sydney Wanderers coach Richie Cardozo reflected on a positive performance for the side.
“It is disappointing to lose after being up one-nil and having a few opportunities throughout the game.
“Every point is vital for us and this was one of the youngest sides we’ve put out so I’m proud of them.” said Cardozo.
For Wollongong Wolves coach Warren Grieve, the Englishman spoke about a strong second half effort which almost got them three points.
“I would have preferred three, we controlled possession and had to be careful in transition but conceded a sloppy penalty.
“The second half we stuck to the plan and dominated them but fair play to them sticking to their principles and it’s unfortunate we didn’t get a win,” said Grieve.
Match Stats
Western Sydney Wanderers FC 1 (Haddad ’27)
Wollongong Wolves FC 1 (Olsen ’75)
Saturday 28 June 2025
Wanderers Football Park
Referee: Stephen Lucas
Assistant Referees: Hayden Kaye & Daniel Cornofsky
Fourth Officials: Reece Edwards
Western Sydney Wanderers: 1. Tristan Vidackovic, 2. Nathan Barrie, 4. Ricky Fransen, 5. Lachlan Tilt (25. Lachlan Henderson ’85), 8. Nicholas Badolato (33. Leon Alizart ’78), 10. Edmun Haddad, 11. Kaan Nizam (14. Ewan Gasowski ’65), 22. Jesse Cameron, 24. Tristan Arrate (7. Dallo Sandy ’65), 26. Anthony Barbic, 27. Julian Cop (39. Kade Baccus ’45)
Unused subs: 20. Lucas Sinnott
Yellow cards: Nizam ’32 Tilt ’40 Cameron ‘70
Red cards: nil
Wollongong Wolves: 2. Harrison Buesnal, 4. Dylan Ryan, 5. Banri Kanaizumi, 9. Damon Gray (11. Sebastian Hernandez ’56), 12. Flynn Madden (10. Liam Ball ’76), 13. Daniel Solsky, 17. Marcus Beattie, 21. Nicholas Olsen, 25. Alex Masciovecchio, 29. Ben Giason (24. Lachlan Scott ’81), 77. Raphael Le’ai (6. James Anagnostopoulos ’76)
Unused subs: 1. Oliver Yates, 8. Sebastian Duarte
Yellow cards: Scott ‘87
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings:
3: Alex Masciovecchio (WW)
2: Ricky Fransen (WSW)
1: Harrison Buesnal (WW)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
