June 22, 2026
2026 NSW NPL MENS 1 ROUND 20
WOLLONGONG WOLVES v SYDNEY FC
SYDNEY FC SCORE WINNING GOAL LATE AGAINST THE WOLVES
With the Wollongong Wolves scoring the first and third goals, through Kazuya Yamamura and Alex Masciovecchio, Sydney FC came from behind on two occasions and ultimately scored the winner with Caelan Marshall-White, Zac Fowler and Dionn Nigro being the scorers. With a five-goal tally in this encounter, other matches between the two sides since 2017 have thrown up many five or higher scoring results with the Wolves scores being first, such as 6-1 , 6-2, 5-1, 3-2, 3-3, 5-3. 4-3, 4-0, 5-3 and 3-4 and 4-3.
The lead-up for the initial goal saw central defender, Dylan Ryan making a run and then lifted the ball to Lucas Trajcevski who was just inside the penalty area. He exchanged a pass with Lachlan Scott who returned backheel pass as he skirted around the striker. As he left the penalty arc, he took a few touches and then he was tripped as he worked his way back into the box by Jared Middleton. A penalty kick was subsequently awarded. Yamamura faced a crouching custodian Alexander Zaverdinos before burying the ball to the left of goal. This was his fourth goal of the 2026 campaign.
Sydney FC restored parity after Jared Middleton passed back to Marin France who went down the left before changing direction. He floated the towards the far post. The Wolves’ custodian Daniel Solsky scooped the ball in the air. Marshall-White was there to nod home.
The Wolves re-established their advantage when a free kick was given for a push by Fowler. Banri Kanaizumi took the free kick and passed to Ryan He returned the ball to Kanaizumi and was back again to Ryan. He moved forward and just before reaching halfway line, he delivered a well-directed pass up to Scott. With two Sydney FC defenders in the vicinity, he swept the ball to the right for Masciovecchio to run onto. As Zaverdinos left his line, Masciovecchio lifted the ball confidently past the custodian into the goal for his fourth strike of the season. It was timely goal.
Sydney FC scored their second goal a minute before half time. France slipped the ball forward for Lachlan Middleton. He shot, but the ball cannoned off Kanaizumi into the air. The ball came down to Dax Kelly with
the ball skewing off his foot . Miles Milliner’s ensuing left footed shot was saved by Solsky, but he could not control the ball. It ran loose, and Solsky being on the deck, blocked Taye Hedley’s effort. Hedley had another go that came off Solsky again and Ryan was there to aid support. The ball went to the left, and Fowler was there to knock the ball in, as Ryan desperately slid in to hopefully thwart, but unfortunately was in vain.
However, after ninety minutes had elapsed, in time added on, Ryan Buttigieg with number 42 on his back stormed down the right side before cutting the ball back to his reverse numbered shirt of Nigro. On the penalty area line, he whacked the ball in off the underside of the cross bar for the winner to break the Wolves spirit at the death.
At the outset of the match, the Wolves were staring down the southern goal. Flynn Madden made a darting run and pushed the ball to Masciovecchio, but nothing emanated but the Wolves showed their intent. Before long Sydney mounted an attack of their own and a Samuel Lancaster effort went straight to Solsky.
A minute later after their first goal, Sydney looked to increase the margin with France at the ready. However, Trajcevski, who was matching the Sydney endeavours, hampered his shot with a great block.
The game was played at a slick pace with some back-and-forth movement and at other times, sustained attacks. In the twenty-sixth minute, France gained possession of a Solsky clearance and in the movement Solsky dived at his feet with the ball traversing to Fowler. He looked to score but Ryan was on the line to keep the goal intact.
On the half hour mark, Sydney’s Ethan Dyer put the ball wide when he would have had a good sight of the target. This went begging. Hedley also went close, but his effort was narrowly wide of the right post.
As the first half ended, Madden who was the corner kick specialist, produced a top shot from close range with Zaverdinos’ fingers spoiling his effort.
Just prior to half time, the floodlights were turned on as dark clouds rolled in. Four goals in the half, displayed the attacking prowess of each team and it remained to be seen if this would be emulated in the second half.
The new half began with Sydney producing a shot that was narrowly wide.
A Yamamura diagonal pass to Sebastian Duarte on the left, later saw both Duarte and Masciovecchio having their shots blocked in succession in the forty-ninth minute. Yamamura drew a good save out of Zaverdinos who parried the ball away. A Masciovecchio effort struck a defender and a corner emanated but brought no joy, though Duarte tried.
Goals were becoming at a premium in the second half as neither side could change the scoreboard despite the opportunities. Substitute Sebastian Hernandez eluded Lancaster and produced, but alas, the ball went narrowly wide. Solsky’s fingertipped denied Lachlan Middleton’s chance to score and in a later corner kick, Scott was back to assist the defence by clearing out.
Lancaster looked to score only for Ryan to apply at the critical time and the ball went high over the goal.
Scott in attack with three defenders on him managed to get the ball away. Hernandez showed a clean pair of heels to elide a few defenders and played an enticing ball across the face of goal, with nary a touch to be had without a teammate at the ready.
A very late Sydney goal was bitter pill to swallow for the home team. Four defeats in a row now are a concerning trend, but the upshot is that goals were scored for the first time since Round 16. That is indeed a positive.
Sydney FC displayed their quick feet, slick passing and close ball skill throughout proceedings and France was an instigator of attacks and proved a dangerous customer. Also, the team won the ball back quickly. The Wolves also displayed their ability with the ball with enterprising play and some sweeping passing movements. However, at the moment, victory is proving to be elusive.
Intrepid midfielder, Lucas Trajcevski – who won the penalty – ‘It was a difficult and it was a rough and we should not have conceded the goals that we did. We made it hard for ourselves. We conceded a bad goal again…….They were good on the break, and we gave them the chances to do that, and it worked against us. We had good moments and did not put the goals in that we needed and it went against us today…. We will have to bounce back next week against Spirit.’
MATCH STATISTICS
WOLLONGONG WOLVES F.C………………..2
Kazuya Yamamura 10’ pen , Alex Masciovecchio 35’
SYDNEY F.C…………………………………,..3
Caelan Marshall White 19’, Zac Fowler 44’ Dionn Nigro 90+1’.
@ Macedonia Park, Berkeley
SUNDAY 21st JUNE 2026
3.00 p.m. kick off
WOLLONGONG WOLVES
Coach: Julio Miranda
1. Daniel Solsky, 4. Dylan Ryan, 5. Banri Kanaizumi, 8.Sebastian Duarte 10. Flynn Madden, 15. Dax Kelly, 16. Lucas Trajcevski (14. Noel Mathie 70’), 17. Marcus Beattie, 18..Kazuya Yamamura, (11. Sebastian Hernandez 56’), 24.Lachlan Scott (Capt.,) 25.Alex Masciovecchio (77. Dylan King 70’),
Substitutes Not Used: 19. Max Cunial (RGK). Liam Ball, 7. Felipe D’Agostino,
Yellow Cards: Sebastian Hernandez 58’, Lachlan Scott 47’, Dax Kelly 61’
Red Cards: Nil
SYDNEY F.C.
Coach: Jimmy van Weeren
130. Alexander Zaverdinos (GK), 3. Reef Farias, 4. Caelan Marshall -White (24. Dino Nigro 58’) , 8. Samuel Lancaster, 9. Zac Fowler (42. Ryan Buttigieg 82’), 10. Taye Hedley, (15. Zinadein. Ardiansyah 76’), 14.Jared Middleton, (Capt.,), 16. Miles Milliner (35. Tyler Williams 58’), 18. Ethan Dyer, 27. Lachlan Middleton, 33. Marin France (45. Zachariah Harrison 82’).
Substitutes Not Used : Jared Williams (RGK)
Yellow Cards: Taye Hedley 37’, Miles Miilliner 38’, Caelan Marshall- White 51’.
Red Cards: Nil
Referee: Stephen Lucas
Assistant Referees : Matthew Harris and Joshua Edwards
Fourth Official: Casey Fleming
By Malcolm Rowney
