April 15, 2025
2025 NSW NPL MENS 1 ROUND 10
WOLLONGONG WOLVES v SUTHERLAND SHARKS
WOLVES SCUTTLE THE SHARKS
With a score of 0-0 at half time, the second half proved to be sensational with a send-off, a back to wall effort with ten men, a penalty kick won by Sebastian Duarte and with the team scoring four goals with none in reply. The Wolves scorers were Lachlan Scott with a brace, (his second in the space of five days after his one against Randwick in the cup), Nicholas Olsen and Alex Masciovecchio. The Wolves have certainly rebounded from the Manly United aberration in Round 9 to make a defining statement, displaying resilience, determination and composure.
With a strong breeze having an effect with high balls, the Wolves ran towards the southern end while the Sharks kicked off proceedings. The ball went through two players back to the captain and custodian, Danijel Nizic, who subsequently pumped the ball forward with the Wolves’ Harrison Buesnell heading the ball back into the direction from where it originally came. The Sharks showed that they meant business when in the first minute Jerry Skodatis put his shot wide. The ball was given away when in the Wolves’ possession which allowed Sutherland a little more momentum.
Play was somewhat scrappy early on aa each team vied for superiority. In the fifth minute, Ralph Le’ai made ground down the right before passing to Olsen, but he was unfortunately dispossessed. A first corner kick emanated for the Wolves after Scott was tackled by Jacob Garner, a former Wolves player. Olsen’s corner kick was palmed away by Nizic. At the other end,, the Wolves custodian, Oliver Yates saw Martin Fernandez bearing down and ready to shoot. The custodian was equal to the task and thwarted this offensive impressively. Buesnell headed away an attack before Skodatis effort was dispatched before being saved by Yates.
Masciovecchio came from the left and hit the side netting and a couple of minutes later Olsen did likewise. The Wolves’ attack was making some headway. On twenty minutes, Duarte stole the ball off Lachlan Macdonald to display his defensive capabilities and he showed his persistence on the left as he refused to be beaten in the twenty-third minute. Sub Woon Sim took a free kick which zoomed with power to the Sharks domain and Nizic take the ball high. Masciovecchio and Olsen combine before Le’ai bullet like effort traversed wide. The Shark’s Robert Shoueiki shot wide in a Sutherland sortie.
There was somewhat dearth of gilt-edged chances as each team attempted to breach the corresponding domain and at half time, the game was equally poised.
As the second got underway, in scant time, Fernandez fashioned a shot which was blocked.
However, the Wolves in the forty-eight minutes went ahead and this was the advent of things changing. Masciovecchio was free on the right and he moved the ball to Scott. His effort struck the left post then bounced into the goal. This was what the team needed. This was Scott’s second goal this season in the league after first scoring in Round 1.
Marcus Beattie weaved his way down the right to set an attack in motion and later Olsen somehow on the left near the by-line managed to fight the ball to Le’ai. From close vicinity, he blasted high of the target, unfortunately.
Sutherland’s John Roberts received Skodatis long precise pass but could not take advantage.
With a goal lead, it suddenly appeared to go pear shaped as Le’ai was red carded three minutes after the hour, when his boot going for the ball unfortunately struck the head of Lachlan Macdonald, with this player remaining on the turf for some minutes while attention was given to his injury. The Wolves were now down to ten men and up against it as indeed they were in the previous round, and we know what happened then. The team needed to stay compact and defend diligently to face the challenge ahead and right the situation.
The Wolves defended stoutly, and counter attacked whenever the opportunity arrived. One chance did arrive in the eighty-second minute. Duarte who was impressive throughout the match, worked his way with determination in the box after a one-two with Scott and was subsequently barrelled over. The referee showed no hesitation in awarding a penalty kick. It was Olsen against Nizic and with a couple of these this year Olsen has not missed a beat. He powered the ball past Nizic to the right side of goal. Nizic dived the opposite side and the Wolves now had a deserved two-goal cushion.
Roberts put the ball into Wolves box from the right only for Banri Kanaizumi to intervene and head away. Later Skodatis tried a shot from distance which Yates took. No matter what the Sharks conjured up they could breach the Wolves domain with their one man to the good.
Scott achieved his brace with two minutes remaining of the regulation period, after Masciovecchio the ball and rampaged down the left side. He passed to where Scott was, and he shrugged off an attempted tackle by the Garner and steamed towards the goal. Garner chased and threw himself at the ball as Scott was near the goal area. He got a touch, though not enough to get it to safety. The ball fell to the advantage of Scott who pushed it home.
Masciovecchio added the icing on the cake after substitute Ben Giason burst into the penalty area before laying the ball to the right for Masciovecchio. He in turn slotted it in and his celebratory back flip delighted the Wolves faithful. It was a just reward for his endeavours throughout the match.
Against all odds the Wolves had reigned supreme despite adversity. The Wolves are now in ninth position on the points’ table While Sutherland occupies eleventh place.
Coach Warren Grieve – (on making a statement) – ‘It ‘seems it is a buzz word I have been using over the last few weeks. After a disappointing result against Manly. On reflection 6-0 is always tough but we showed a lack of desire, commitment and to concede the way we did was poor to be honest. We said to the boys that there needed to be a lot of reflection along with individual reflection first and foremost and then come back together. We came back earlier in the week, and we had a quick turnaround with the Australia Cup game which could not come at a better time for us. It was unusual circumstances, and you talk about making a statement we had to right the wrongs from the week before. And to get a clean sheet, A 5-0 win, a rotation of players and ones who have not have much game time do a job, which was fantastic. And that took us into today. We wanted to make a statement as you say and secondly we wanted show that we are in this competition, and we have some quality players. In the first ten minutes or so, we struggled to get ourselves into the game. We struggled with the rotations. We did not stick to our game plan and had the difficult conditions, with a sticky pitch and wind, but that, we can still get the ball down and we can still play. Coming into the sheds at half at 0-0 we regroup and a great opportunity for us to change a few things tactically and we shored it up in the midfield, got our own rotations working, when we got the first goal, I honestly thought the floodgates would open. Then Ralph popped with an open goal, and he manages puts it over the bar. It would have harder to miss it than put it into the net. But again, it showed that we were creating chances, yes showing intent, then being one and up and with Ralph getting a straight red card….and that what it was…. Yes we had to be compact and catch them on the break. And when they came forward it opened spaces for us…. Lachie was colossal today and he shows what quality he has.’
Captain and brace scorer, Lachlan Scott – ‘Exactly. It is sort of funny how things work. You don’t score for a while and then you get one, or two and you just need the one to go in and the ball will fall your way just a little more…. Last week was not us and we. just did not turn up. It was a bit of a wake-up call for everyone. Our effort was not great but today, we were more focused and knowing that we had to do that extra bit when we went a man down, everyone put their heads down and worked hard and that what happens when you do that ,…He (Duarte) might have a nosebleed being that high up the pitch (when got the penalty) … At training he likes to advance forward. .. He is tenacious so he might as well use that ability…. It is good for our confidence and it something we can build on.’
Debut defender Sebastian Duarte- ‘on his tenacity – ‘I am.. (tenacious) Even Warren says sometimes I’ve got to stay on my feet. I can get a bit too aggressive….. It was a good result, and Warren gave me confidence as have the boys. ..It was a great day for the lads, especially our second half. Our training has gone to another level, so it has been good.. Yes, it was my first start…. I can do better!’
MATCH STATISTICS
WOLLONGONG WOLVES F.C………………..4
Lachlan Scott 48’, 88’ Nicolas Olsen 82’ pen, Alex Masciovecchio 90+6
SUTHERLAND SHARKS…………..………,,,,0
@ Macedonia Park, Berkeley
SUNDAY 13th APRIL
3.00 p.m. kick off
WOLLONGONG WOLVES
Coach: Warren Grieve
- Oliver Yates GK 2. Harrison Buesnel 5. Banri Kanaizumi, 6. James Anagnostopoulos 7. Sim Woon Sub (11. Liam Ball 88’),, 8. Sebastian Duarte, (15. Dax Kelly 88’) 17. Marcus Beattie 21. Nicholas Olsen, (29. Ben Giason 88’) 24. Lachlan Scott (Capt.) (Lucas Trajcevski 90+1) 25. Alex Masciovecchio (9. Damon Gray 90+8’), 77. Raphael Le’ai.
Substitutes Not Used: 13. RGK Daniel Solsky
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Ralph Le’ai 63’
SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Coach: Steve Zoric
- Danijel Nizic, 2. Lachlan Macdonald (12. Ikko Ehode Arimoto 90+1’), 4. Lachlan Fields, (3. Jordan Roberts 45’) 6. Mo Ahmed,7. Peter Grozos (8. Nick Sullivan, 77’), 15. Matthew Moric, 17. Richard Shoueiki (14. Dylan Susovic 77’), 21. Jerry Skotadis, 22. Kotaro Katsuta, 23. Mason Fernandez, (58. Daniel Wong 77’), 26. Jacob Garner
Subs not used: 30. Sebastian Arranz,
Yellow Cards:’ Mo Ahmed 38’ Jacob Garner 59’
Red Cards: nil
Referee: Jackson Mackie
Assistant Referees: Aaron Bloch, Hayden Michlmayr
Fourth Official: Sophie Allum
By Malcolm Rowney
