Mt Druitt Town Rangers score massive win as Wolves finals hopes take a hit
Mount Druitt Town Rangers recorded a massive three points following its 3-1 victory over finals chasing Wollongong Wolves at Popondetta Park on a wet and dreary Saturday.
The victory saw the Rangers go within a point from 14th placed Western Sydney Wanderers as the club continues to fight against relegation while the loss for the Wolves has seen them drop within four points from sixth placed outfit Sydney Olympic.
The hosts had the game’s first opportunity as Yuto Morita sprung free and dragged his effort wide of the mark.
The Rangers continued to push forward for the opener as Caleb Jackson-Brown and Abraham Majok combined to release Bilal Belkadi who whistled one wide.
Yuta Komura tried his luck from a set piece but it thudded against the Wolves wall on his first attempt.
Komura almost produced the first goal with his second free-kick. Komura curled it right onto the head of Theph Theph who nodded wide – the big defender couldn’t believe his luck as he was left unmarked inside the box.
The Wolves started to slowly find their rhythm in the game. They earned a pair of corners which the Rangers defence swept away.
After all their early chances the Rangers made it 1-0 in the 31st minute. It was another slick move which was finished off by Morita into the bottom corner.
Nicholas Olsen looked the main danger for the Wolves. He wriggled free and drew Rangers custodian Dylan Niski into his first save of the night.
Wollongong Wolves soon equalised in the 37th minute. It was a superb effort from Dylan Ryan to recycle the ball and find the dangerous Olsen who poked home for 1-1.
The hosts restored the lead just before half-time. It was a quick counter attack which saw Majok weave past his defender to fire home for 2-1 in the 45th minute.
The Wolves thought they had equalised again. Olsen cut inside and wrapped one against the post then it came off Lachlan Scott which produced an offside flag.
The visitors rung in the changes to get back into the game at the break. Substitute Raphael Le’ai had a first-time effort which fizzed past Niski’s left post.
Olsen tried to spark his side from a set piece. He stood over the free-kick before flaying it wide of the mark.
The Wolves attacker had another opportunity via a free-kick in the 80th minute. He bent it over the wall but couldn’t find the curl into the net.
Majok had the chance to kill off the contest for the hosts soon after. He drove forward and unfurled a shot which deflected wide.
Next, Rangers substitute Thomas Lopez was almost an inspired change as he tried a free-kick routine then drove into the box and flashed a shot wide.
It was game, set and match for the Rangers in the 95th minute as Bilal Belkadi was brought down in the penalty area. Belkadi dusted himself off and smashed home the third and final moment as the hosts celebrated a massive win in their fight against relegation while the Wolves were left licking the wounds in a result that could well have derailed their chances of playing finals football this year.
Post match Mt Druitt Town Rangers coach Ben Rollison reflected on a massive result for his side with the club hoping to secure three more wins in their final three matches remaining.
“It was a good result, we deserved it and was our best performance yet.
“I am happy for the lads and there are no easy games left for us.
“We just need to keep winning and see where that ends up for us.” said Rollison.
While Wollongong Wolves FC manager Julio Miranda reflected on a performance where his side were second best.
“I thought we were second best tonight, especially in the first half.
“We struggled to match it with them and tried to make some changes in the second half.
“We are now chasing the pack after last night’s results and now we move forward.” said Miranda.
Match Stats
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 3 (Morita ’31 Majok ’45 Belkadi ‘90+5)
Wollongong Wolves FC 1 (Olsen ’37)
Saturday 9 August 2025
Popondetta Park
Referee: Evan Zvargulis
Assistant Referees: Liam Smith & Matthew Mcorist
Fourth Officials: Mitchell Renton
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC: 1. Dylan Niski, 3. Danilo Doce Monteiro, 5. Theph Theph, 6. Jared Macerola, 10. Yuto Morita (20. Thomas Lopez ’88), 12. Rocco Pelle, 14. Abraham Majok, 15. Caleb Jackson-Brown, 17. Stevan Stanic-Floody (21. William Rankin ’62), 29. Yuta Komura (2. Alexander Trajanoski ’84), 99. Bilal Belkadi
Unused subs: 16. Stefan Giglio, 18. Lachlan Vasiliou, 56. Kual Mien
Yellow cards: Majok ’28 Belkadi ’37 Monteiro ’69 Pelle ‘74
Red cards: nil
Wollongong Wolves FC: 4. Dylan Ryan, 5. Banri Kanaizumi, 7. Woon Sub Sim (77. Raphael Le’ai ’58), 13. Daniel Solsky, 15. Dax Kelly, 17. Marcus Beattie (8. Sebastian Duarte ’80), 21. Nicholas Olsen, 23. Flynn Madden, 24. Lachlan Scott, 25. Alex Masciovecchio (11. Sebastian Hernandez ’46), 29. Ben Giason
Unused subs: 1. Oliver Yates, 6. James Anagnostopoulous,10. Liam Ball
Yellow cards: Kelly ‘45+2 Madden ’51 Duarte ‘89
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings:
3: Abraham Majok (MDTR)
2: Caleb Jackson-Brown (MDTR)
1: Jared Macerola (MDTR)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
