August 31, 2026
2026 NPL NSW MENS 1 ROUND 30
WOLLONGONG WOLVES v MANLY UNITED
WOLVES CONCLUDE NPL SEASON WITH A 0-4 DEFEAT
The Wolves have completed the 2026 NPL season bowing out with a disappointing 0-4 defeat to the seasiders from the northern beaches, Manly United. Manly scored four relative easy goals, two from set pieces, to round out comfortable victors. The Wolves did not play with the verve they displayed in the penultimate round victory over Western Sydney Wanderers and were found wonting in this match.
These two teams have met twice before in the final round of the seasons past. The first occurrence was in 2020, a truncated season of eleven rounds, when the Wolves won 5-2 with current player, Marcus Beattie scoring a hat trick. The other season was in 2024, a 1-2 defeat with current players, Lachlan Scott, Banri Kanaizumi, Sebastian Hernandez and Alex Masciovecchio also being involved.
The Wolves went into this match without usual players Kazuya Yamamura and Flynn Madden who were not at the team’s disposal.
With a sunny outlook, the Wolves ran towards the southern end and Manly United kicked off, sending the ball forward into touch. However, after twenty-three minutes, Manly was on song, and struck after Saxon Hillyer played a delightful high pass out to Kakeru Ono on the left wing. Near the by- line, he cut the ball back. It bounced, deceiving central defender, Dylan Ryan. Benjamin Koop also vied for the cross but in vain. However, in stormed Auyumu Kimura to propel the ball past the Wolves’ custodian Max Cunial.
The second goal emanated from a corner kick from the left side by Hillyer. An attempt at a clearance by a Wolves’ defender went awry and through a sea of legs for Cunial to ultimately push the ball out. Alas, defender Aaron Driscoll was at the ready to whack the ball home from a close vicinity, nine minutes after the first.
A third goal occurred a further five minutes on, from another corner kick from the left. Hillyer despatched the ball to the near post. Driscoll got his head to the ball and flicked on. The ball traversed to the far post with Benjamin Koop, unmarked there to nod the ball into the net in easy fashion.
A fourth goal was achieved with eight minutes left on the clock. Driscoll propelled a high long ball forward down the right. Sebastian Duarte and Jesse Piiriz going for the ball together with the latter winning out. He took the ball near the by line and passed inward for substitute Kit Harper. Substitute Kristian Butkovic attempted to tackle but Harper kept possession before slotting a pass back to substitute Monty Peppei, who had been only on the field for three minutes. He subsequently latched onto the ball and drilled his effort in the lower right hand corner of the goal past a diving Cunial.
The Wolves began the match and two minutes in, Manly displayed that their position in the semi finals was not going to be given up without a fight. Stephen De Robillard played the ball into the Wolves’ box for Kimura but the ball flew off his legs into touch.
The Wolves began with some degree of confidence and in the fourth minute and from a Wolves’ free kick Yuto Fugita placed the ball over the goal. Not long after, the Wolves went intensely close to scoring. Alex Masciovecchio produced a rattler that struck the cross bar after he took hold of a Sebastian Hernandez right field cross. Marcus Beattie played the ball to Jude Christie who turned a shot towards the Manly goalkeeper, Harry Turner, who thwarted his effort.
At the other end, Wolves’ defender, Jake Shaled defended stoutly against Kimura who was beginning to show his dangerous tendencies. Later Shaled blocked De Robillard attempted cross. Two minutes later, Robilllard shot wide from close range. Manly were getting closer and some casual and stray passing by the some Wolves’ players, certainly did not aid their cause.
However, after Masciovecchio and Christie were prior involved, Kanaizumi whacked the ball over from close vicinity.
A few minutes later, Manly had the early advantage through Kimura.
The Wolves captain Lachlan Scott chased back to win the ball with a persistent effort in order to inspire his teammates before the second goal was added and then with a third. Manly had displayed their dominance in front of goal, delivering their opportunities to the utmost. With five minutes before the break, Kimura looked to score his brace but he placed the ball over from a free shot.
Manly had a commanding three goal lead and were likely to emerge as victors but there was still forty five minutes left to play and teams have been known to lose from this position, however, not many. This was not the day.
At the outset of the second stanza, Wolves’ coach Wilkshire made a statement with the substitution of four players, with youth players Kristian Butkovic, Liam Ball, Jack McClatchie and Dylan King being brought on to add youthful zeal to the proceedings in an attempt to claw back some vestibule of pride. This did make an impact, as there was more urgency and fighting spirit and lifted the team.
In the fifty-third minute the ball was played into the Manly domain. There seemingly was a handball with the Wolves’ players making shouts for a penalty that was ignored by the man in charge. This was a disappointment and the Wolves became more positive and began to cause some consternation for the Manly players. However, the opposition’s three-goal cushion helped their belief. Shaked produced a cross that was headed away and a Duarte free kick a minute under the hour was too close to the goal and Turner grasped it with precision.
Manly was not going to rest on their laurels and kept searching for more goals when the chance presented itself. John swept the ball in from the right side and Aston Hulme placed it narrowly over. Not long after the fourth goal was achieved to seal the match.
The Wolves had a free kick on the left side of centre with substitute Liam Ball taking it a minute after Peppei’s achievement. He rifled his effort towards the goal with it striking the cross bar and staying out for a second time in the encounter. Max Linton and Duarte created chances but neither were converted. It was not the Wolves’ day.
Manly United ran out comfortable winners with their four well-taken goals while the Wolves now conclude the NPL and look forward to the Australian Championships. The Wolves finished in eleventh position while Manly occupy fifth position and have a final series to look forward to.
Wollongong Wolves’ coach, Luke Wilkshire – Definitely not (satisfield with the first half). I could have made eleven changes. The first half display was nowhere our level and not good enough. We were out competed in every aspect of the first half and deservedly went in three goals down. We made it very hard for ourselves. We needed to make a reaction as it was a bit of a comedy club and there needed to be changes and a reaction that we saw in the second half. It was disappointing. We have to reflect now and draw a line in the sand.’
MATCH STATISTICS
WOLLONGONG WOLVES ……………….0
MANLY UNITED …………………………….4
Ayumu Kimura 23’, Aaron Driscoll 32, Benjamin Koop 37’, Monty Peppei 82’
@ Macedonia Park, Berkeley.
SUNDAY 30th August 2026
3.00 p.m. Kick Off
WOLLONGONG WOLVES
Coach: Luke Wilkshire
- Max Cunial GK, 2. Jake Shaked, 3. Jude Christie (9. Jack McClatchie 45’), 4. Dylan Ryan (15. Kristian Butkovic 45’), 5. Banri Kanaizumi, 8. Sebastian Duarte (21. Liam Ball 45’), 11. Sebastian Hernandez (77. Dylan King 45’), 17. Marcus Beattie 24. Lachlan Scott © (13. Max Linton 79’), 25. Alex Masciovecchio, 44. Yuto Fugita (77. Dylan King 45’)
Substitutes not used: 1. Jacob Hastings, 14. Willem Robaard
Yellow Cards: Jude Christie
Red Cards: Nil
MANLY UNITED
Coach: Vladimir Knezevic
- Harry Turner GK, 4. Jesse Piriz, 5. Aaron O’Driscoll, 6. Saxon Hillyer, 7. Stephan De Robillard (87.Kit Harper 79’) 8.Kakeru Ono (3. Matthew O’Donoghue 54’) (2. Luka Krizan 71’), 9. Benjamin Koop (16. Will Faulder, 54’), 11. Ayumu Kimura 77’), 18. Luke Nieuwenhof, 19. Aston Hulm (31. Monty Peppei 79’), 29. Douglas John.
Substitutes not used: 5. Max Martinello, 14. Max Walker 20. George Russell
Yellow Cards: Stephen De Robillard 70’,
Red Cards: nil
Referee: Matthew Staples
Assistant Referees: Aaron Bloch and Hayden Kaye
Fourth Official: Brodie Merchant
By Malcolm Rowney
