Five-goal classic ends in heartbreak for Wolves against Sydney FC
Sydney FC snatched all three points in dramatic fashion with Dionn Nigro’s injury-time winner sealing a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Wollongong Wolves at Macedonia Park on Sunday afternoon.
Despite creating numerous chances and twice having goals ruled out for offside, the Wolves were left to rue missed opportunities as they slumped to a fourth consecutive defeat.
The Wolves entered the match desperate to find some form after suffering three consecutive defeats, while Sydney FC were full of confidence after some impressive recent results, including a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Marconi Stallions last week.
The Wolves made a fast start and were rewarded when they went ahead in the 10th minute thanks to a penalty from midfielder Kazuya Yamamura after Wolves young gun Lucas Trajcevski was fouled in the box following some nice link up with captain Lachlan Scott.
The goal sparked Sydney FC into life and they drew level in the 19th minute. Marin France found space on the left and put in a cross that was missed by the Wolves defence with Wolves goalkeeper Daniel Solsky getting a hand to the cross, only for Caelan Marshall-Witte to head in the rebound from close range.
Sydney FC were dominating possession and nearly went ahead in the 25th minute after a Solsky clearance was intercepted by France. Solsky dived at the feet of France with the ball falling to Fowler with his shot cleared off the line by Wolves defender Dylan Ryan.
The Wolves hit Sydney FC on the counter and took the lead in the 35th minute when a long-ball from defence found Scott who then laid off a beautiful pass to Alex Masciovecchio. The winger drove into the box and chipped the ball over the on-rushing Sydney FC goalkeeper Alexander Zaveradinos.
The game was turning into a match with attacking play from both teams, with numerous chances being created.
Sydney FC drew level in the 44th minute when a clearance from Wolves defender Dax Kelly landed at the feet of Miles Milliner with his shot finding Taye Hadley in the six yard box. Hadley got a shot away that was saved by Solsky, only for the rebound to fall to Fowler who fired in from close range.
Zaveradinos produced a moment of brilliance on the stroke of half-time when he dived low to his right to keep out a shot from Wolves midfielder Flynn Madden from inside the box.
The first half came to a close with the Wolves having seven shots with four on target, while Sydney FC had five shots on target.
The Wolves made a fast start to the second half with Yamamura forcing Zaveradinos into a good save after a free kick from the left of the box and defender Sebastian Duarte firing in a shot from distance that was well held by Zaveradinos.
Wolves substitute Sebastian Hernandez nearly made an immediate impact in the 60th minute when he found space on the left and cut in and fired just wide of the far post.
Sydney FC went close to taking the lead in the 62nd minute when Lachlan Middleton was left unmarked in the box with his looping header forcing Solsky to dive high and get a hand on the ball as he pushed it over the crossbar.
The Wolves were dominating the contest and keeping Zaveradinos busy in goals. The home side thought they had taken the lead in the 77th minute when substitute Dylan King’s shot found the back of the net, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
Hernandez was causing problems for the Sydney FC defence and his ball across the face of the goal went close to finding a teammate, however no one was at the back post to finish the cross.
The Wolves again thought they had taken the lead in the 82nd minute when centre-back Banri Kanaizumi rose high and headed home a free kick from Flynn Madden. However, the goal was ruled out for offside, with the decision proving to be a close call.
The match was heading for an entertaining draw, only for Sydney FC to score an injury time winner thanks to substitute Dionn Nigro who fired his shot high into the net above Solsky following a neat cut-back from fellow substitute Ryan Buttigieg.
In the end, Sydney FC recorded a valuable 3-2 win that sees them sitting just one point outside the top six, while the Wolves form slump continues following a fourth straight loss.
Sydney FC young gun Ryan Buttigieg was ecstatic with the victory after coming off the bench and providing the assist for the winning goal.
“It was a good game and an amazing feeling to win the match right at the end. Our second half was much better and we improved after a scrappy first half,” Buttigieg said.
Wolves coach Julio Miranda was disappointed with the result and felt his side deserved the three points.
“I think we did enough to win the game and created plenty of chances. It’s frustrating not to get the win,” Miranda said.
Next up for the Wolves is a Round 21 away match against NWS Spirit FC, while Sydney FC host Sydney United 58 FC on Friday night at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.
Match Stats
Wollongong Wolves FC: 2 (Kazuya Yamamura 10’, Alex Masciovecchio 35’)
Sydney FC: 3 (Caelan Marshall-Witte 19’, Zac Fowler 44’, Dionn Nigro 90+1’)
Sunday June 21, 2026
Macedonia Park
Referee: Stephen Lucas
Assistant Referees: Matthew Harris and Joshua Edwards
Fourth Official: Casey Flemming
Wollongong Wolves FC: 1. Daniel Solsky, 4. Dylan Ryan, 5. Banri Kanaizumi, 8. Sebastian Duarte, 10. Flynn Madden, 15. Dax Kelly, 16. Lucas Trajcevski (14. Noah Mathie 70’), 17. Marcus Beattie, 18. Kazuya Yamamura (11. Sebastian Hernandez 56’), 24. Lachlan Scott (C), 25. Alex Masciovecchio (77. Dylan King 70’)
Substitutes not used: 2. Noah Smart, 3. Jude Christie, 7. Felipe D’Agostini, 19. Max Cunial
Yellow Cards: Lachlan Scott 47’, Sebastian Hernandez 58’, Dax Kelly 61’
Red Cards: Nil
Sydney FC: 3. Reef Farias, 4. Caelan Marshall-Witte (34. Tyler Williams 58’), 8. Samuel Lancaster, 9. Zac Fowler (45. Zachariah Harrison 82’), 10. Taye Hadley (15. Zinadein Ardiansyah 76’), 14. Jared Middleton (C), 16. Miles Milliner (24. Dionn Nigro 58’), 18. Ethan Dyer, 27. Lachlan Middleton, 30. Alexander Zaveradinos, 33. Marin France (42. Ryan Buttigieg 82’)
Substitutes not used: 12. Jared Williams
Yellow Cards: Taye Hadley 37’, Miles Milliner 38’, Caelan Marshall-Witte 51’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Marin France (Sydney FC)
2 – Zac Fowler (Sydney FC)
1 – Banri Kanaizumi (Wollongong Wolves FC)
Report by Joel Martelli
