Late Tate Russell stunner breaks St George City hearts
A brilliant goal from Wollongong Wolves defender Tate Russell and a penalty save from goalkeeper Daniel Solsky ensured the Wolves came away with a hard fought 1-0 win over St George City FA on Saturday night at Penshurst Park.
Both St George City and the Wollongong Wolves came into the match desperate to keep pace with the top six and it was St George City who made a fast start with Yohn Pedersen forcing an early save from Wolves goalkeeper Daniel Solsky.
St George City began to take control of the midfield with Paolo Mitry pulling the strings in the middle of the park, while Matthew Jackson forced Solsky into a save in the 22nd minute with a shot from distance.
Solsky was again called into action in the 29th minute when Stefano Rossello found his way into the box with his shot failing to beat the Wolves goalkeeper at the near post.
The Wolves began to settle into the match with winger Sebastian Hernandez going close to opening the scoring in the 40th minute. Hernandez found himself with space in the box with his shot forcing St George City goalkeeper Jack Kenny into a good save as he tipped the shot over the crossbar.
The Wolves finished the half strong with young gun Liam Ball launching a shot from distance that rattled the crossbar after Kenny managed to get a fingertip on the shot.
Both sides continued to attack as the match approached half-time, but the first half ended scoreless.
St George City started the second half strong with defender Benjamin Berry leaping high off a corner with his header going just over the bar.
The Wolves started to ramp up the pressure on St George City with Wollongong having numerous corners, however the game remained scoreless.
St George City missed a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the 70th minute when a penalty from Yohn Pedersen was saved brilliantly by Solsky who dived to his right. Wolves midfielder Ball had earlier tackled substitute Hugo Mcateer from behind which caused the penalty.
The Wolves stunned the home side and took the lead in the 86th minute when a long ball over the top from Flynn Madden found Tate Russell out wide on the right. The defender produced a brilliant shot with his first touch that chipped Kenny in goals who was left stranded at the near post.
St George City threw everything at the Wolves in the closing stages, however Wollongong held on to record a hard fought 1-0 win and extend their unbeaten run to three matches.
St George City travel in Round 8 to face UNSW FC, while the Wolves host Sydney Olympic FC on Sunday afternoon at Macedonia Park.
Match Stats
St George City FA: 0
Wollongong Wolves FC: 1
Saturday 21 March, 2026
Penshurst Park
Referee: Mujtaba Ebrahimi
Assistant Referees: Oscar Waterson and Brayden McDonald
Fourth Official: Lucas Kloosterhof
St George City FA: 1. Jack Kenny, 2. Matthew Wahby, 3. Benjamin Berry, 4. Solomon-Johnn Monahan-Vaiika (C), 7. Oscar Gultekin (6. Tarik Ercan 66’), 8. Stefano Rossello (44. Hugo Mcateer 66’), 10. Paolo Mitry, 16. Yohn Pedersen (11. Jesse Photi 81’), 17. Mason Tatafu, 23. Hiroto Dohmoto (21. John Stamos 81’), 27. Matthew Jackson (19. Roman Culina 74’)
Substitutes not used: 13. Franklin Jan
Yellow Cards: Matthew Wahby 64’, Hiroto Dohmoto 73’, Paolo Mitry 85’, Benjamin Berry 85’
Red Cards: Nil
Wollongong Wolves FC: 1. Daniel Solsky, 5. Banri Kanaizumi (C), 7. Felipe D’Agostini (24. Lachlan Scott 58’), 8. Sebastian Duarte, 9. Ryan Lowe, 10. Flynn Madden, 11. Sebastian Hernandez (17. Marcus Beattie 80’), 13. Tate Russell, 18. Kazuya Yamamura, 21. Liam Ball (16. Lucas Trajcevski 80’), 25. Alex Masciovecchio (77. Dylan King 90+4’)
Substitutes not used: 3. Jude Christie, 19. Max Cunial, 44. Taj Demito
Yellow Cards: Ryan Lowe 32’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Tate Russell (Wollongong Wolves)
2 – Daniel Solsky (Wollongong Wolves)
1 – Banri Kanaizumi (Wollongong Wolves)
Report by Joel Martelli
