A GAME FOR THE AGES

2025 AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

ROUND 6

WOLLONGONG WOLVES v MARCONI STALLIONS

A GAME FOR THE AGES

 

MATCH REPORT

 

Needing a six-goal tally to ensure a finals appearance, the Wollongong Wolves went oh so close with 5-0 demolition of Marconi Stallions with many chances falling as the team chased a sixth. It was a game for the ages as slick and sweeping passing movement took the opposition to the cleaners. The grandstand was pumping as goal after goal eventuated with the scorers being Lachlan Scott with a brace, Nicolas Olsen, Sebastian Hernandez and Tate Russell. The Wolves were on song, and this was a delight and thrill for the home fans. Once one went in, the countdown began, with ground announcer, Matt Dawson giving the number of goals required as the match proceeded, adding to the atmosphere. Marconi did not lie down as such, and had a few scoring opportunities that were spurned, or saved by the Wolves custodian Daniel Solsky.

 

Coach Wilkshire had tweaked the backline with Sebastian Duarte coming in at left defender and the usual incumbent, Dylan Ryan, moving into the centre.

 

A northerly blustery wind was blowing down the pitch and at the backs of the Wolves’ players, as Marconi kicked off.

 

A minute in, Duarte made a darting run on the left side to show the Wolves’ attacking intent. The Wolves were taking it to the opposition who had defeated them 3-0 in Round 3.

 

Jordi Swibel received a lifted pass from Jake Trew and was looking to score only for Solsky to leave his line to come charging out. They descended on the ball together and it ran free out of harm’s way but left Swibel down injured on the pitch. In the ninth minute, Banri Kanaizumi dispossessed Damien Tsekenis as he tried to cause havoc.

 

The first goal arrived when first Flynn Madden charged in and powered his shot towards the target. Custodian James Hilton pushed out his save and Lachlan Scott was on hand to slot the ball into the net for a grand start. To begin this attack, Russell threaded a long low precise pass to Olsen, and he flicked the ball forward for Madden.

 

Marconi looked to respond with a low shot troubling Solsky, as he, at first, did not handle properly, but he got it at his second attempt. This was a relief.

 

Play was back and forth for a time and the Wolves passing movement spreadeagled the Marconi defence on most occasions. Hernandez had several chances that unfortunately did not come to fruition. In the twenty-second minute the Wolves were four against two, but the wrong option was taken, and the opportunity went begging.

Later he was put through and powered the ball in. Tass Mourdoukoutas intervened with the ball hitting the lower end of the post and rebounded.

 

The second goal arrived in the six minutes of added time. Isaac Danzo had made a barnstorming foray down the left before cutting the ball into the centre where Olsen took possession. Alex Masciovecchio had moved the ball up to Danzo. Olsen did have any trouble in burying the opportunity with his left foot for his initial goal in the tournament. Two goals achieved with four to go! Duarte made a groundbreaking run into the penalty area and at the by line cut the ball back, but no-one could take advantage of his enterprise at this time.

 

Swibel shipped the ball narrowly past the far post from his position on the left but no matter what Marconi attempted, circumstances were against them. Prior to this, Hernandez laid a pass to Olsen, but it was a bit wide, and Olsen could not get it in time as the goal line loomed. Pouring rain began around the forty-second minute mark and last for the added time and some of the half time recess.

 

At the break, the Wolves led by two and were against the wind in the second half.

 

The sun was out as the second half proceedings got underway. Marconi probed but Kanaizumi intercepted and not long after Scott achieved his brace. He got the ball into the goal from his right sided position.

 

For the third goal Kanaizumi dispatched the ball to Olsen in the centre. He juggled it to elude a marker then passing to Scott. He pushed a pass to Hernandez, and he hit his effort in to the and loge in back corner of the net on Hilton’s right side.

 

Russel set the ball to Olsen and his piledriver was tipped it over by Hilton.

 

Goal number four saw Masciovecchio gaining possession and he subsequently slipped the ball to Olsen. He shot and Hilton saved it, but he could not grasp. The ball ran loose, and Masciovecchio attempted a shot that was blocked. The ball was loose again. As he fell, Scott managed to put enough force on the ball to get it over the line to achieve his second brace in this Championship.

 

Dylan Ryan’s right footed lifted ball from the left of centre traversed to Russell. He chested it to control, took a further touch then provided a left footed drive into the goal for the team’s fifth goal.

 

With five minutes left on the clock, could the Wolves get the sixth? Ryan had delivered a high ball from the right over to the far area. Russell headed it back into the goal area and Kanaizumi went low to head the ball, but it went unfortunately centimetres wide of the post. Later. substitute Kazuya Yamamura provided a low shot that Hilton took gratefully.

 

The team concluded the Australia Championships with an exhilarating performance to be equal on points with Marconi and two points behind the winners of the group, Heidelberg United. South Hobart got a draw with Heidelberg to garner a point. Marconi go through with a plus one goal advantage. There were disappointing and exciting feelings in equal measure for the outcome of this match for all and sundry.

 

We were dared to dream but the team fell agonisingly short but what a thrill! What a game!. A match certainly for the ages.

 

Coach Luke Wilkshire –‘I’m disappointed I know what the boys are capable of and disappointed that we did not see it earlier in the group stage that would have put us through. It should have four or five by half time. I can’t fault the players attitude, execution, just missing that final finish. It is not the end and for me it’s just the start of what this group can achieve, together, going forward. There might be a few who may move on. I thought we got it right and the boys executed well, and I said everyone will be talking about this game. It was pleasing in the way that we got this result, and it could have a lot more.’

 

Scorer Tate Russell -‘disappointing result. It was so positive, and it is unfortunate that we go out like that but what a way to go out. It was good to have the whole of the grandstand behind us and all the support really helped us out. Can’t be too disappointed with (his goal) to get onto the score sheet at an important time to do it. It just shows the fight in this team. and I’m proud. We really grew into this competition. It was just unfortunate in other games that we did not show as much as we wanted to, but everyone can be proud. And as I said, I’m proud to a part of this squad and what we achieved today’

 

Consummate central defender, Banri Kanaizumi – ‘It is hard to take. Everyone put everything on the pitch. We did not score more than two goals in the first half. We could have done it. We did everything we could. Just one goal in it. I’m very proud of the boys, performance wise, with the big crowd here, all the locals supported us, they gave us more momentum.’

 

Impressive Sebastian Duarte – ‘It was a top performance, and the boys gave it everything they had. It is a shame about the outcome but credit to the boys and the coaching staff as well. Luke told us all week that we had to believe, and this is exactly what the boys did. We could have had one at the end, but it is what it is. We always had it in us at training, and we just had to show it. If the boys stick around there is no team that can beat us.

 

MATCH STATISTICS

WOLLONGONG WOLVES F.C………5

Lachlan Scott 12’, 48’, Nicholas Olsen 45+, Sebastian Hernandez 48’ , Tate Russell 84’

MARCONI. …………………………….0

 

@Collegians Sports Centre Figtree,

Saturday 15th November 2025

3.15 p.m. kick off.

 

WOLLONGONG WOLVES

Coach: Luke Wilkshire

1. Daniel Solsky, 4. Dylan Ryan, 5. Banri Kanaizumi, 6. Isaac Danzo 8. Sebastian Duarte (18. Kazuya Yamamura 66’) 11.Sebastian Hernandez (17. Marcus Beattie 66’), 13. Tate Russell, 23. Flynn Madden, 24. Lachlan Scott 21. Nicolas Olsen, 25. Alex Masciovecchio,

bstitutes not used : 2. Harrison Buesnell 19. Max Cunial 16. Lucas Trajcevski, 77. Dylan King 7. Woon Sub Sim

Yellow cards : nil

Red Card : nil

 

MARCONI

Coach: Peter Tsekenis

1. James Hilton, 2. Tyren Burnie, 3. Tass Mourdoukoutas, 5. Lachlan Griffiths 6. Harry Van Der Saag, 8. James Bayliss, 9. Jordi Swibel (7. Franco Maya Valiente 56’), 14, Jake Trew (10. Marco Jesic 56’), 17, Damien Tsekenis, (21. Noah Anderson 77’), 23. Brandion Vella (Capt.)24. Matej Busek (15. Aleksander Duricic 88’)

Substitutes not used: 20.Patrick Williams 18. George Daniel. 12. Julian Monge 22. Jett Long

Yellow Cards: James Hilton 89’

Red Card: Team manager 90+

 

Referee: Eric Saba

Assistant Referees: Thomas Mace and Joshua Berry

Fourth Official: Brodie Merchant

 

By Malcolm Rowney