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Wolves outgun Olympic in rescheduled fixture

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Wollongong Wolves secured three points with a 1-0 victory over Sydney Olympic on Wednesday night in a round 4 rescheduled NPL NSW Men’s fixture at Belmore Sportsground.

A well-taken penalty from Lachlan Scott in the 20th minute was all it took for the visitors to take away the win, despite a hard-fought battle between the two teams with the win lifting the 2019 Premiers to sixth on the ladder, a point adrift from the top five.

Wollongong dictated play in the opening stages of the match with a great display of attacking prowess from their forward line which saw Olympic’s Jason Madonis forced to make an impressive clearance off the line in just the 15th minute.

Fans didn’t have to wait long for a goal, with a penalty awarded in the 20th minute after a hand ball from Daniel Dias.

Scott stepped up to take the penalty and calmly sent his strike down the middle of the goal and over Olympic keeper Christopher Parsons, who dove to his left to notch up his second of the year.

­­Madonis again pulled off a crucial clearance in the 24th minute after a great combination play from the visitors.

Scott created several opportunities in the following minutes, but Parsons was prepared and managed to keep the dangerous striker at bay.

Olympic had a chance from a free kick in the 31st minute, however Wollongong keeper Hayden Durose managed to reject a terific ball from Brendan Cholakian.

Olympic came out firing in the second half with a cross from Marley Peterson meeting the head of Oliver Puflett in front of goal, however the header hit the post.

Puflett had another chance just moments later after receiving a ball from Michael Glassock, but his header was this time collected by Durose.

Peterson fired a ball towards goal in the 50th minute, but it ricocheted off the woodwork, leaving the home side still without a goal.

The late stages of the second half were an intense battle between both teams as Olympic mounted pressure on a heavily defensive Wollongong, however neither team were able to convert their chances, leaving Wollongong with a 1-0 victory at the final whistle.

Wolves coach Luke Wilkshire was pleased with his team’s efforts after a short break.

“We showed desperation and the fight for the three points,” he said.

“We had to work hard for it in the end but I think it was a very good first half display and a well-deserved three points.

“We played just on Sunday so we had some fresh legs, we’ve had a few injuries, and the boys that have come in did a great job.

Olympic coach Ante Juric was proud of his team’s fight until the final whistle.

“We never gave up,” he explained.

“The first half was very, very disappointing, very poor.

“The second half we came out and we dominated, and we probably should have got a draw out of that.

“We just need to be switched on, we weren’t at the start and that showed and that’s why we were 1-0 down.”

Match Stats

Sydney Olympic FC 0

Wollongong Wolves FC 1 (Lachlan Scott (pen) 20′)

Wednesday 14th April, 2021

Belmore Sportsground

Referee: M. Bailey

Assistant Referees: C. Wright and S. Allum

Fourth Official: S. Quinn

Sydney Olympic FC: 2. Thomas Whiteside, 4. Benjamin van Meurs, 5. Michael Glassock (39. Peter Politis 78’), 8. Jason Madonis, 9. Oliver Puflett (14. Peter Kekeris 74’), 10. Brendan Cholakian, 17. Marley Peterson (22. Fabio Ferreira 65’), 18. Yu Hasegawa (35. Mohamed Adam 45’), 21. Fabian Monge (6. Nikola Kulekski 45’), 23. Daniel Dias, 70. Christopher Parsons

Substitutes Not Used: 20. Luke Kairies

Yellow Cards: Jason Madonis 20’, Nikola Kuleski 55’, Peter Politis 78’)

Red Cards: Nil

Wollongong Wolves FC: 2. Taylor McDonald, 4. Nikola Djordjevic, 6. Ethan Kambisios, 7. Marcus Beattie, 10. Van Elia (16. Fletcher McFarlane 67’), 14. Brendan Low, 15. Daniel Loe, 18. Hamish Lamberton (, 8. Nav Darjani 78’), 20. Liam Wille (17. Jarvis Paterson 58’), 23. Hayden Durose, 24. Lachlan Scott (13. Stefan Dimoski 78’)

Substitutes Not Used: 1. Aidan Munford, 19. Evan Ball

Yellow Cards: Van Elia 30’, Ethan Kambisios 66’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Lachlan Scott (WW)

2 – Taylor McDonald (WW)

1 – Jason Madonis (SO)

-By Football NSW Reporter Madeline Riley (@madelineriley23)

 

Sharks sting Sky Blues late to take home point

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A James Andrew goal in the dying seconds has helped Sutherland Sharks snatch a dramatic 2-2 draw against Sydney FC at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday Night.

It was Andrew’s second goal of the game, with the pacy striker clinching a crucial point for the Sharks on the road.

Sydney FC thought they had done enough for victory after Patrick Wood and Jordi Swibel each scored in quick succession to give the Young Sky Blues the lead with only 10 minutes left on the clock.

However, it wasn’t to be with Andrew snatching the equaliser deep into added time to ensure the visitors didn’t go home empty-handed.

Sutherland’s Christopher McStay was causing trouble for Sydney FC keeper Thomas Heward-Belle in the early stages of the game, with several strikes forcing the custodian to pull out some great saves to deny the home side an early lead.

Luke Ivanovic looked poised to get Sydney FC on the scoreboard in the 24th minute after capitalising on a blunder from Sharks captain Lachlan Everett; however, his effort flew wide of the target.

The night’s first goal came from Andrew in the 28th minute as he intercepted a pass from Ivanovic and found himself one-on-one with Heward-Belle before sending the ball past him and into the netting.

Heward-Belle was back in action in the 45th minute, pulling off another great save to keep the visitors at bay.

Swibel scored the equaliser for the home side in the 75th minute after finding himself on the end of a great ball from Thomas Fay. He maneuvered through Sutherland’s defensive line before placing the ball out of reach of Anthony Bouzanis and into the back of the net.

Sydney FC took the lead just minutes later through Patrick Wood, who fired a strike from the edge of the 18-yard box. The promising young attacker has tasted A-League action a couple of teams as well as hitting the back of the net on numerous occasions for Steve Corica’s squad once again felt right at home in the NPL.

Sutherland was fighting for an equaliser in the late stages of the game, putting together some great opportunities that were well-defended by Heward-Belle.

James Andrew was the hero of the night for Sutherland, coming through with a crucial goal to snatch a point from the match. It was his sixth of the season, a double that has put the ace marksman as joint golden boot frontrunner after round 7.

Sydney FC’s Saracino mishit a ball sending it flying overhead before landing on the chest of Andrew, who steadily guided it over the line.

Sydney FC coach Jim Van Weeren was disappointed his team made errors that saw the win slip away from them.

“In the last few minutes and in injury time, we lost complete control,” he explained.

“There were some really silly decisions from players with the ball, and eventually that cost us.”

Sutherland Sharks coach Nick Dimovski was proud of his team’s efforts in creating an abundance of goal-scoring opportunities throughout the match.

“We totally dominated Sydney FC, and we created more, and I really mean it, more than enough chances to beat them twice over, yet we fell asleep for five minutes and credit to Sydney they got their goals,” he said.

“I’m proud of my team’s fightback, without a doubt.

“Andrew has been a shining light for us throughout the course of this season, and credit to him, he is combining his goal-scoring capabilities by also created chances for the Sharks.”

Match Stats

Sydney FC 2 (Jordan Swibel 75’, Patrick Wood 79’)

Sutherland Sharks FC 2 (James Andrew 28’, 90’)

Sunday 11th April 2021

Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre

Referee: H. Jomaa

Assistant Referees: N. Wotton and E. Saba

Fourth Official: H. Fenton-White

Sydney FC: 3. Aaron Gurd, 4. Nathan Grimaldi, 6. Thomas Main (5. Thomas Fay 62’), 8. Patrick Yazbek, 17. Jayden Trenkoski (16. Stevan Stanic-Floody 75’), 21. Harry Van Der Saag, 23. Callum Talbot, 24. Luke Ivanovic (9. Antonio Saracino 62’), 27. Jordan Swibel, 28. Patrick Wood, 30. Thomas Heward-Belle

Substitutes Not Used: 1. Levi Kaye, 2. Cameron Fong, 13. Corey Hollman,

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil

Sutherland Sharks FC: 1. Anthony Bouzanis, 4. Brendan Hooper, 5. Nic Petrillo, 6. Patrick O’Shea, 8. Oliver Green, 9. Jeremy Cox (25. Alex Masciovecchio 69’), 10. Lachlan Everett, 14. Chris Lindsay, 17. James Andrew, 22. Patrick Scibilio (99. Jonathan Grozdanovski 60’), 88. Christopher McStay

Substitutes Not Used: 12. Harry Sutherland, 13. Charlie Jones, 16. Gerard Roebuck, 21. Luke Sauer

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – James Andrew (SS)

2 – Thomas Heward-Belle (SFC)

1 – Christopher McStay (SS)

By National Premier LeaguesNSW Reporter Madeline Riley (@madelineriley23)

APIA and Stallions share points in entertaining derby

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A ten-man Marconi Stallions has held on for an entertaining 1-1 draw against staunch rivals APIA Leichhardt at Lambert Park on Sunday.

It was a determined derby performance from the Stallions who equalised early in the second half before clinging on for a point after going down to ten men only moments later.

APIA opened the scoring in spectacular style courtesy of a Paul Galimi stunner in the 51st minute.

However, the visitors were back on level pegging through Mitch Mallia less than 10 minutes later.

Mark Rodic was sent for an early shower after receiving a red card in the 64th minute with the Stallions digging deep to secure a hard-fought point.

The opening chance of the encounter arrived in the 3rd minute when Mitchell Mallia’s shot forced ‘keeper Ivan Necevski to turn the ball around the post for a corner.

In the 10th minute APIA replied. A free kick reached Blake Powell lurking with intent at the back post but his attempt from close range was well saved by Nenad Vekic.

Corey Biczo reached the by-line midway through the first stanza of play but his shot from such an acute angle was well met by Vekic’s feet and there was no change to the score.

The first half was played generally at a high tempo with both sides pressing but there was a lack of clear-cut goal chances and it eventually finished scoreless.

The second stanza of play opened with a goal for the ages in the 51st minute.

A corner reached Paul Galimi just outside the box and he didn’t hesitate to send down a torpedo that didn’t give anyone a chance.

The ball went straight into the back of the net before ‘keeper Vekic could blink and, if the contest required a moment to awaken it, then this was indeed it.

It’s definitely put itself as one of the contenders of ‘Goal of the Season’ following that magical strike from the tough tackling defender.

APIA Leichhardt had taken the lead and the members in the home side’s new facilities in the grandstand let out a roar of approval.

Shortly afterwards Marconi came close when Giorgio Speranza dribbled his way into the box but was denied by a sliding defender who knocked the ball away for a corner.

However, the visitors didn’t have long to wait before equalising. APIA turned over the ball, Liam Youlley had a nice shot that was only partially saved by Necevski and the follow-up was hammered home by Mitchell Mallia.

In the 64th minute Marconi found themselves down a player. Mark Rodic brought down a galloping Harry Callahan and was shown a straight red for his professional foul by referee Craig Fisher jogging on the spot. And while his moment of poor judgement may have cost his side a player, it most likely also denied APIA a goal scoring chance.

Late in the game Powell delightfully flicked a ball on to Mathieu Cordier on the left and his powerful strike brought out the best in Vekic who turned it over the crossbar. It was to be the last real chance of the game which had certainly came to life in the second half.

After the contest APIA Leichhardt’s coach Paul Dee was partially satisfied but lamented not taking home the full points.

“When you go a goal up and have momentum, then it’s hard,” he said.

“You feel like you have given two points back but overall our boys had momentum throughout the second half.

“I was particularly pleased that we kept our game plan that we went into the game with. The players executed that plan and that is really pleasing because the objective is to build on that.”

His counterpart, Stallions coach Peter Tsekenis was also commenting on another drawn game.

“The first half was very scrappy, and the pitch is a bit difficult to play on,” he said.

“In the second half we conceded off a set-piece and there was not much we could do about that, but we did get our goal back and then unfortunately with a red card we had to dig deep.

“We also had to make some changes due injury in that second half but hopefully we can build on that going forward into some FFA Cup games during the week.”

Match Stats

APIA LEICHHARDT: 1 (Galimi 51’)

MARCONI STALLIONS: 1 (Mallia 60’)

Sunday, 11th April 2021

Lambert Park, Leichhardt

Referee: Craig Fisher

Assistant Referees: B. Merchant, M. Limnios

Fourth Official: L. Jones

APIA LEICHHARDT: 1.Ivan Necevski, 2.William Mutch, 3.Paul Galimi, 4.Joshua Symons, 8.Corey Biczo (7.Tynan Diaz 73’), 9.Blake Powell, 10.Franco Parisi (6.Harry Callahan 63’), 11.Mathieu Cordier, 15.Sean Symons, 18.Adrian Ucchino, 20.Samuel McIlhatton.

Substitutes not used: 5.Nicholas Azzone, 21.Michael Kouta, 22.Luke Turnbull, 23.Gian Fiorese,

Yellow Cards: Powell 14’, Diaz 93’

Red Card: Nil

MARCONI STALLIONS: 1.Nenad Vekic, 2.Nathan Millgate, 3.Giorgio Speranza, 4.Roberto Speranza, 6.Mark Rodic, 8.Connor Evans, 10.Marko Jesic (9.Anthony Costa 79’), 11.Mitchell Mallia (21.Emmanuel Peters 70’), 14.Anthony Frangie (17.Martin Fernandez 73’), 16.Liam Youlley, 23.Brandon Vella.

Substitutes not used: 20.Dion Shaw, 24.Paolo Laxamana, 25.Blake Ilitch

Yellow Cards: Rodic 39’, Frangie 48’

Red Card: Rodic 64’

Player Ratings

3 – Paul Galimi (AL)

2 – Giorgio Speranza (MS)

1 – Connor Evans (MS)

By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Joe Russo

Ten-man United 58 hold onto point against misfiring Wolves

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A ten-man Sydney United 58 has clung on for a point in a 0-0 draw with Wollongong Wolves at Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday.

Forced to play a man down for close to an hour after Chris Payne was sent off, United held out a sloppy Wolves outfit as both sides played out a scoreless stalemate.

The home side had their chances early in the match but was forced to sit back and defend after Payne’s dismissal.

Wollongong had chances to win it in the dying stages but could not get the job done against a resolute United 58 defence.

Sydney United 58 started strongest in a tense and gritty opening to the match, but the visitors had the first real opportunity of the contest.

A long ball out from Wolves’ ‘keeper Hayden Durose found Taylor McDonald wide on the right, and his teasing cross into the box allowed skipper Lachlan Scott to fashion the first half-chance of the match when volleying wide of the mark.

Payne curled one agonisingly wide of the upright in reply as United 58 maintained the attacking philosophy, which has been a feature of their matches this season.

Wollongong was compact, a tight unit utilising rapid passing and quick footwork to hit on the break and implement their pacey strikers’ speed.

Glen Trifiro nearly opened the scoring when firing in a shot from the edge of the box in the 22nd minute after latching on to a pass.

From nowhere, an unsightly scuffle over the ball on the sidelines led to United defender Yainni Fragogiannis and Wollongong’s Van Elia entering the Referees book.

It was more for petulance than violent conduct as a mini melee ensued. If there was any doubt as to what this match meant to both sides, it was very quickly dispelled.

Antelmi was replaced by Devante Clut after receiving a knock in the area, and the news was to worsen shortly after.

Fletcher McFarlane could perhaps count himself lucky only to be cautioned for a challenge moments later near the touchline with the home support baying for the advantage to be played.

The match was heated and threatening to boil over, and it wasn’t long before Payne received his marching orders for ‘violent conduct’  after his involvement in an off the ball incident.

Scott thought he had broken the deadlock when he fired home the rebound from a Daniel Nizic save, but the strike was ruled out for offside.

With their numerical superiority, Wollongong looked to up the ante and push the Reds to their limit with the high press and mobility.

In stoppage time, Marcus Beattie fired in a ball past the oncoming goalkeeper to Scott, whose shot was blocked as the scores remained locked at 0-0 going into the interval.

McFarlane was replaced after the break by Harrison Taranto who slotted into the Wolves’ midfield as the visitors applied the pressure from the whistle to push United 58 back into their own half.

Trifiro flighted in a delightful curling free-kick in the 49th minute that both Anthony Tomelic and Jackson Khoury went close to heading home but couldn’t connect, the pair striding through the Wolves’ defence unchallenged.

Elia headed straight at Nizic from a McDonald cross, but United 58 held out. Durose needed to be sharp when tipping over a stinging Trifiro shot.

Scott then lashed another wide that was always curling away from the sticks, the visitors unable to work nor beat Nizic to break the deadlock, and when Clut dinked the ball over the top for Trifiro at the other end, the ever-reliable striker fluffed his lines, and the chance went begging.

Despite playing two-thirds of the game a man down, the Reds were putting up stern resistance and creating a few chances of their own as Wollongong bombed forward in search of the opener.

But it was substituted Mat Sim, who could have sealed it for United 58 in the games death throes when firing wide.

It proved to be the games last real chance, with the final whistle ensuring both teams would have to settle for a point.

United 58 coach Tomi Vidovic praised the resilience of his side in what was a determined performance.

“I felt it was a tremendous performance today by the boys. And we could have taken all three points,” Vidovic said.

“it’s always difficult to play a man down for almost fifty minutes, and we were called back when clean through for the foul.

“We created chances and bounced back from last week, but it’s a game we could have won. Credit to the players, they battled hard and got something from the game.”

Wolves coach Luke Wilkshire was disappointed with the result, pointing to his side’s inability to capitalise on their chances.

“Naturally, when you go a man down, you sit in, and United did that very well today,” Wilkshire said.

“But we were just not good enough today; we lacked the quality in the final third, our decision making, giving balls away and not enough desperation to defend and to score.

“Given the circumstances, I would definitely say it’s two points dropped for sure.”

Match Stats

Sydney United 58 0

Wollongong Wolves 0

Sydney Utd Sports Centre, Edensor Park

Sunday, 11th April 2021

Referee: Tim Danaskos

Assistant Referees: Janush Adabjou & Cameron Wright

Fourth Official: Mujtaba Ebrahimi

Sydney United 58: 1.Daniel NIZIC, 2.Christian GONZALEZ, 4.Adrian VLASTELICA, 5.Anthony TOMELIC (15.Tariq MAIA 81’), 6.Chris PAYNE, 7.Jackson KHOURY (8.Matthew SIM 77’), 9.Patrick ANTELMI (10.Devante CLUT 32’), 14.Andrea AGAMEMNONOS, 16.Jacob POSCILEIRO, 18.Glen TRIFIRO,  22.Yianni FRAGOGIANNIS

Substitutes not used: 3.Jordan ROBERTS, 21.Josip ORLOVIC, 23.Luke VLASTELICA

Yellow Cards: Fagogiannis 25’

Red Cards: Payne 35’

Wollongong Wolves: 23.Hayden DUROSE, 2.Taylor McDONALD, 3.Darcy MADDEN (14.Brendan LOW 67’), 4.Nicola DJORDEVIC, 6.Ethan KAMBISIOS (20.Liam WILLE 62’), 7.Marcus BEATTIE, 10.Van ELIA, 11.Leroy JENNINGS (13.Stefan DIMOSKI 62’), 16.Fletcher McFARLANE (12.Harrison TARANTO 46’), 19.Evan BALL, 24.Lachlan SCOTT

Substitutes not used: 1.Aidan MUNFORD, McFarlane 29,  Kambisios 59’, 13.Dimoski 81’

Yellow Cards: Elia 25’, Kambisios 61’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Trifiro (SU58)

2 – McDonald (WW)

1 – Beattie (WW)

By National Premier Leagues NSW reporter Micky Brock

Rangers stun Blacktown City to grab derby spoils

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Jack Stewart scored a shock winner for Mount Druitt Town Rangers at Lily Homes Stadium to steal a 1-0 win from under the noses of Blacktown City FC on Sunday afternoon. 

Blacktown’s Suleyman Bangura almost opened the scoring in the 15th minute when Travis Major worked the space for him to shoot across goal before it was cleared off the line by Tarek Elrich.

Adam Berry dinked a back-post ball to the waiting Travis Major but Carlos Saliadarre was equal to the headed effort.

Not only were Blacktown City FC’s defensive efforts top-notch but the attacking play from their centre-backs was first class.

Grant Lynch intercepted a ball by Fumoto Kamada before charging halfway up the pitch and slipping a ball into Bangura.

The attacker got his wires crossed and failed to get a shot away just after the half-hour mark.

For all of Blacktown City FC’s dominance, Mount Druitt Town Rangers made sure they had nothing to show for it with the half-time score locked at 0-0.

Mount Druitt Town Rangers had Saliadarre to thank for keeping them in the match as the pressure piled on.

The keeper made a terrific double save first from Mario Shabow’s cut-back shot and then on Major’s follow-up at point-blank range.

Shabow then thought he’d opened the scoring with a header across goal but Saliadarre was there to deny him again.

After over an hour of unrelenting pressure, Mount Druitt miraculously found the opening goal through Jack Stewart.

His run down the right flank saw the defender hit the deck as he cut inside before powering home a high shot into the near post to notch up his third of the season.

Their defensive resilience was still on show when Blake Thompson denied Shabow another crack at redemption for Blacktown City FC, blocking a clear cut chance moments after the goal.

A loud gasp filled the stadium twice when Charles Mendy and Major failed to bury their chances into the back of the net inside the final ten minutes.

Blacktown City FC head coach Mark Crittenden was ropable after the game.

“We made enough chances to win four games they were never in it,” he said.

“We had one defensive lapse and we conceded… we’ve just got be better at finishing, we are getting the balls into the front third.

“(We weren’t) good enough in the last third, they had one shot on goal and we had more than fifteen.”

The scoreline shows Jack Stewart scored the winner but it couldn’t have happened without Carlos Saliadarre.

“I’m happy to do my job and do my part,” Saliadarre said.

“Jack’s on fire he’s scored again, another solo goal, we can’ task any more of him, as long as the boys bang them in and we in.

“We set ourselves a challenge to win back-to-back, we obviously haven’t done that this season, we haven’t won away from home and we got a clean sheet, we are starting to find our rhythm.

“A lot of people don’t know I’ve been at this against Blacktown City for a long time when I was at (Blacktown) Spartans, so i think this is game number 24 that it’s taken me to finally get a win against them.

“It’s a hurdle I was finally able to get over.”

Match Stats

Blacktown City FC 0

Mount Druitt Town Rangers 1 (7. Jack Stewart 63’)

Sunday 11th April, 2021

Lily Homes Stadium, Blacktown

Referee: Michael Bailey

Assistant Referees: June Park, Sam Quinn

Fourth Official: Luca Lavigne

Blacktown City FC: 1. Tristan Prendergast, 3. Daniel Collins (22. Carlos de Oliveira,77’), 4. Lachlan Campbell, 5. Grant Lynch, 6. Matthew Lewis (66’ 8. Jak O’Brien), 7. Travis Major, 10. Mario Shabow, 17. Dakota Askew, 18. Suleyman Bangura (21. Charles Mendy 62’), 19. Adam Berry, 24. Jackson Bandiera (11. Rhett Desilva 77’)

Substitutes Not Used: 20.Dylan Niski

Yellow Cards: 

Red Cards: Nil

Mount Druitt Town Rangers FC: 1. Carlos Saliadarre,, 3. Travis Oughtread, 6. Blake Thompson, 7. Jack Stewart (4. Mitchell Smith 88’), 8. Jason Perez, 10. Takuma Tsujimura, 14. Fumoto Kamada (45’ 9. Jordan Roberts), 17. Cooper Coskerie, 18. Jared Macerola (2. Solomon-Johnn Monohan-Vaiika 68’),  21. Tarek Elrich, 22. Jake Mamone, 32. Peter Nichols

Substitutes Not Used: 11. Andre Takami, 24. Brendan Allen, 32. Peter Nichols

Yellow Cards: 18. Jared Macerola 52’, 9. Jordan Roberts 90’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 — Carlos Saliadarre (MTD)

2 — Jack Stewart (MTD)

1 — Grant Lynch (BCFC)