Wolves deny Spirit maximum points
Wollongong Wolves put a hold on NWS Spirit FC’s Premiership glory for now as both sides shared the points in a 1-1 draw on a cold Saturday evening at Macedonia Park.
Alex Masciovecchio opened the scoring for the hosts midway through the first half before Takumi Ofuka equalised early in the second period.
The match got off to a scrappy start with the teams battling for some early possession, with set pieces proving a promising avenue of attack.
In the 18th minute, Jamie Percevski sent a first-time volley wide following a right-sided free-kick in what would have been an excellent start for Spirit.
However, the diligent Wolves snatched the lead 24 minutes in. Sebastian Hernandez drilled a shot from the right of the box that squirmed under Spirit goalkeeper Christopher Marques towards Masciovecchio who bundled the ball home.
Five minutes later, Yu Okubo almost responded for the visitors, forcing Daniel Solsky into a sensational stop to send the ball around the right post.
Just after the half-hour mark, the lively Hernandez threatened for the hosts again, crossing for Lachlan Scott who glanced wide from his header.
Wollongong took their slender lead into the break after a solid first period at Macedonia Park.
Spirit came out firing for the second half and equalised within five minutes. A former Wolves duo combined as Andre Takami slipped Ofuka in behind, with the winger slotting the ball into the bottom left corner.
The game settled down after this early flurry with limited chances falling either way.
In the 64th minute, Ben Giason launched a first-time effort over the bar for the Wollongong.
The side continued to probe for a go-ahead goal with Raphael Le’ai proving effective off the bench.
In the 77th minute, the substitute fired a right-footed volley from the edge of the box straight at Marques.
Moments later, Ofuka almost had his second when he picked up the ball in the left of the box before clipping it over the bar.
Soon after, Okubo drew another superb low save from Solsky as the game burst back into life.
Le’ai had an even better chance with nine regular minutes to play, ratting the crossbar following a scramble in the box.
Spirit could have sealed the win for themselves two minutes later through Michael Konestabo. The attacker scooped up the ball in the right of the box but lashed it straight at Solsky.
In stoppage time, Jamie Percevski received his second yellow card, leaving Spirit to finish the game with 10 players.
In the end, the points were shared in a 1-1 draw.
Julio Miranda said he was pleased with the way his team performed in the match against the current table toppers, particularly in the first half.
“I thought we did a really good job for the first 45 minutes. We worked on our defensive shape, and I thought it worked a treat,” Miranda said.
“They [Spirit] got frustrated and I knew they were going to change things around in the second half.
“They’re a good side. There is a reason why they’re on top, but I thought our boys did really well for themselves.”
Spirit coach David Perkovic said he thought a draw as a fair result on the balance of play.
“I thought we found it a bit difficult to find our feet on the surface. It was quite soft under foot,” he said.
“We brought our attentions back to what we’re good at.
“I think it was more of a Spirit performance in the second half and we definitely deserved that equaliser.”
Wollongong Wolves FC 1 (Alex Masciovecchio 24’)
NWS Spirit FC 1 (Takumi Ofuka 50’)
Saturday 16 August 2025
Macedonia Park, Berkeley
Referee: Hayden Michlmayr
Assistant Referees: Ethan Zvargulis and Amirhossein Hosnani
Fourth Official: Sophie Allum
Wollongong Wolves FC: 13. Daniel Solsky, 2. Harrison Buesnel, 4. Dylan Ryan, 5. Banri Kanaizumi, 11. Sebastian Hernandez (77. Raphael Le’ai 65’), 17. Marcus Beattie, 21. Nicholas Olsen, 23. Flynn Madden (6. James Anagnostopoulos 82’), 24. Lachlan Scott, 25. Alex Masciovecchio, 29. Ben Giason
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Oliver Yates, 8. Sebastian Duarte, 10. Liam Ball, 15. Dax Kelly
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
NWS Spirit FC: 1. Christopher Marques, 4. Bradie Smith (11. Ollie Wiggin 73’), 7. Frankie Ljucovic (6. Corey Kavanagh 73’), 8. Grant Cornwall, 9. Yu Okubo, 10. Michael Konestabo, 13. Simon Nicholas, 15. Jamie Percevski, 18. Andre Takami, 19. Zayne Ahluwalia, 22. Takumi Ofuka (16. Charlie Broomhead 90+2’)
Substitutes Not Used: 12. Jay Coates, 17. Jacob Chidiac, 20. Austin Oates
Yellow Cards: Jamie Percevski 39’ 90+2’, Grant Cornwall 90+1’
Red Cards: Jamie Percevski 90+2’
Player Ratings:
3 – Andre Takami (NWS)
2 – Takumi Ofuka (NWS)
1 – Daniel Solsky (WW)
Report by Tim Gibson
