Wolves Strike Late to Seal Crucial Win

The Wollongong Wolves secured a valuable 3–1 victory over Blacktown City at Landen Stadium on Sunday afternoon, producing a clinical late surge to claim all three points and move into the top six after Round 10 of the 2026 NPL Men’s NSW season.

In a tightly contested encounter, the visitors struck first just before the halftime break through Lachlan Scott, only for Blacktown City to respond almost immediately with a well-taken equaliser from Riley Nolan.

With the match finely poised deep into the second half, Scott stepped up once again in the 79th minute to restore Wollongong’s lead, before substitute Felipe D’Agostini sealed the result just moments later with a third goal in the 80th minute.

Blacktown showed promising signs early, with Nikola Skataric and Caleb Jackson-Brown combining effectively to create attacking opportunities. Skataric fired wide in the 15th minute, while Koda Tanaka threatened soon after, weaving into a dangerous position but directing his effort straight at Wolves goalkeeper Daniel Solsky.

Despite the home side’s early dominance, it was Wollongong who came closest to opening the scoring midway through the half. Alex Masciovecchio delivered a dangerous ball into the area, finding Liam Ball, whose shot drifted narrowly wide of the target.

Blacktown continued to press, and in the 28th minute Maksim Jez delivered a threatening ball into the box that found Riley Nolan, but Solsky reacted well to get a crucial touch and deny the opportunity.

The breakthrough finally arrived just before halftime. Wollongong advanced confidently through the middle before Masciovecchio picked out Ball on the edge of the area. Ball struck his effort goalward, with Scott getting the final touch to guide the ball into the back of the net.

The lead was short-lived.

Blacktown responded almost immediately, with Jackson-Brown nodding the ball into the path of Nolan, who produced a composed finish to level the scores heading into the break.

The second half began in a more measured fashion, with both sides battling for control. A foul from Adam Berry in the 66th minute handed Wollongong a promising set-piece opportunity, but the visitors were unable to make it count.

Blacktown continued to push forward, creating another chance in the 70th minute when substitute Sebastian Hayward won possession and looked to square the ball for Nolan, only for Solsky to react quickly and intercept.

As the game edged towards its conclusion, Wollongong found another gear.

Scott grabbed his second of the afternoon in the 79th minute, reacting quickest after a blocked effort from Hernandez, regaining possession and lifting a composed finish over Blacktown goalkeeper Cayden Henderson.

The Wolves struck again almost immediately. Capitalising on a turnover straight from the restart, Hernandez drove forward before squaring the ball to D’Agostini, who finished confidently to put the result beyond doubt.

The late double strike underlined Wollongong’s clinical edge and proved decisive in a match that had been evenly balanced for long periods while it was heartbreak from Mark Crittenden’s troops who sit grounded at the bottom end of the ladder.

Match Stats

Blacktown City FC 1 (Riley Nolan 45+2)

Wollongong Wolves FC 3 (Lachlan Scott 45+1’, 79’, Felipe D’Agostini 80’)

Sunday 12 April, 2026

Landen Stadium, Blacktown

Referee: Thomas Dale

Assistant Referees: Ethan Zvargulis & Arinath Gobinath

Fourth Official: Lucas Kloosterhof

Blacktown City FC: 1. Cayden Henderson, 4. Nicholas O’Brien, 6. Adam Berry, 9. Nikola Skataric (19. Sebastian Hayward 67’), 10. Maksim Jez, 11. Koda Tanaka, 15. Caleb Jackson-Brown, 16. Riley Nolan (8. Jak O’Brien 80’), 22. Jacob Maniti (17. Julian Rodriguez 80’) , 23. Jett Long (21. Aiden Renshaw 81’), 27. Nathan Grimaldi

Substitutes Not Used: 3. Lachlan Tilt, 18. Jake Briggs, 20. Cooper Rogers

Yellow Cards: Berry 66’

Red Cards: Nil

Wollongong Wolves FC 1. Daniel Solsky, 4. Dylan Ryan, 5. Banri Kanaizumi, 8. Sebastian Duarte (11. Sebastian Hernandez 45’), 10. Flynn Madden, 13. Tate Russell, 16. Lucas Trajcevski (7.Felipe D’Agostini 65’), 17. Marcus Beattie, 21. Liam Ball (77. Dylan King 73’), 24. Lachlan Scott ( 14. Noah Mathie 92’), 25. Alex Masciovecchio (9. Jack Mcclatchie 73’)

Substitutes Not Used: 2. Kristian Butkovic, 19. Max Cunial,

Yellow Cards: Ball 62’, Solsky 88’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Lachlan Scott (WW)

2 – Sebastian Hernandez (WW)

1 – Riley Nolan (BC)