Wolves battle from behind to snatch victory over Saints

Wollongong Wolves have fought back from a goal down to beat St George FC 2-1 on Saturday night at Macedonia Park. 

Jaden Casella opened the scoring late in the first half before Alex Masciovecchio set the score level on the stroke of halftime.

In a tense second period, Nicholas Olsen proved the difference with a spectacular free-kick in the final 10 minutes, earning Wollongong a much-needed victory.

There was ample action in the first half as Wolves’ defender Harrison Buesnel headed over from an Olsen free-kick within the first two minutes.

Five minutes later, the visitors came even closer through Rocco Smith, who rattled the bar following Casella’s right-sided corner.

Buesnel threatened again 16 minutes in, heading into Daniel Axford’s gloves courtesy of another Olsen set piece.

Midway through the half, St George started to find some rhythm. Casella shifted the ball inside from the right and rolled an effort narrowly past the near post.

Wollongong were then given a great opportunity to take the lead from a close-range free-kick. Olsen stepped up, watching the ball bounce wide of the right post.

With seven regular minutes to play, the Saints snatched the lead. Casella latched onto a ball in behind the left channel, going around Wollongong goalkeeper Daniel Solsky before putting a composed shot that trickled over the goal line.

Wollongong upped the attacking intent after the concession of the opening goal, and on the stroke of halftime, they restored parity.

Olsen slid a neat pass down the left for Raphael Le’ai, who raced forward, driving a cross to the other side of the box for Masciovecchio to smash into the net.

The late first-half equaliser gave the home side momentum as they headed into the sheds.

Wollongong continued their positive play after the break, maintaining possession high up the field.

In the 57th minute, the lively Flynn Madden stood up a right-sided cross for Olsen, who nodded over.

However, just after the hour mark, St George were handed a huge opportunity to retake the lead, being awarded a penalty.

Saints skipper Troy Danaskos took responsibility, firing the ball towards the right side of the goal, but a sprawling Solsky palmed it away.

The penalty save re-ignited the Wolves pursuit of a winner and in the 82nd minute, the chance arrived.

Olsen curled a perfectly accurate close-range free-kick that nestled into the bottom right corner to Wollongong the lead with little time remaining.

St George flooded numbers forward in the closing stages. The Wolves remained resilient to see out a win at Macedonia Park.

Wolves coach Julio Miranda said it was a much-needed win for his team and praised Olsen’s ability to create moments in matches.

“We needed the points,” Miranda said.

“It was always going to come down to who defended better and taking chances and I’m glad we did.

“He’s a class player. He’s one of those guys that you know going to do something to get you over the line and I’m glad he did.”

Match Stats

Wollongong Wolves FC 2 (Alex Masciovecchio 45’, Nicholas Olsen 81’)

St George FC 1 (Jaden Casella 38’)

Saturday 5 July 2025

Macedonia Park, Berkeley

Referee: Joel Crawford

Assistant Referees: Hayden Michlmayr and Mitchell Renton

Fourth Official: Michael Patti

Wollongong Wolves FC: 13. Daniel Solsky, 2. Harrison Buesnel, 4. Dylan Ryan, 5. Banri Kanaizumi, 6. James Anagnostopoulos (11. Sebastian Hernandez 56’), 17. Marcus Beattie (8. Sebastian Duarte 90+3’), 21. Nicholas Olsen, 23. Flynn Madden (7. Woon Sub Sim 85’), 25. Alex Masciovecchio, 29. Ben Giason, 77. Raphael Le’ai (24. Lachlan Scott 56’)

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

Yellow Cards: Flynn Madden 34’, Alex Masciovecchio 46’

Red Cards: Nil

St George FC: 20. Daniel Axford, 2. Rocco Smith, 3. Troy Danaskos, 4. Mark Rodic, 5. Nicholas Kalogerou, 8. Evangelo Souris, 9. Chan Yelchan (19. Nikola Skataric 59’), 10. Jadon Casella, 14. Justin Poon (28. Jesper Webber 81’), 15. Bai Antoniou (7. Aeden O’Shea 81’), 16. Kaidyn Wright (18. Giani Di Pizio 72’)

Substitutes Not Used: 1. Jonte Stark-Harris, 34. Kota Toyooka

Yellow Cards: Troy Danaskos 32’, Yan Yelchan 43’, Rocco Smith 80’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings: 

3 – Nicholas Olsen (WW)

2 – Daniel Solsky (WW)

1 – Jaden Casella (SG)

Report by Tim Gibson