WOLVES SHOW THEIR METTLE TO NARROWLY DEFEAT SYDNEY F.C. 

2025 NSW NPL MENS 1 MATCH REPORT

 ROUND 26

 WOLLONGONG WOLVES v SYDNEY F.C.

 WOLVES SHOW THEIR METTLE TO NARROWLY DEFEAT SYDNEY F.C. 

The Wollongong Wolves have won their third game on the trot after defeating Sydney F.C. 1-0 on a rain-soaked field that was used the previous night. The Wolves goal scorer in the first half was central defender Harrison Buesnell.

This was an entertaining game for the spectators  with these  precise moments –  two chances hit the goal frame,  a send-off  occurred,   a frantic last ten minutes evolved  as Sydney F.C. with a man advantage, threw everything at the Wolves plus goalkeeping saves by  Wolves’ custodian Daniel Solsky,  that were top notch to earn a clean sheet.  This 1-0 win has been the lowest scoring match between the two sides.

The Wolves began the match running towards the northern end and kicking off.  When Sydney later gained the ball, a cross from Joseph Lacey, after running down the right wing was intercepted by Marcus Beattie to break up this attacking foray. Nicholas Olsen at the other end was blocked with his attempted effort after marauding down the right. Lachlan Scott eluded Kyle Shaw and crossed but this was intercepted before any joy could be had. Buesnell intervened to stop a dangerous pass going to striker Mathias Macallister. Later, Buesnell headed an Alex Masciovecchio ball and a couple of minutes later, an Olsen danger was blocked on the ine by Caelan Marshal -Witte which was a close shave by the Sky Blues. Marshall -Witte cleared from the line again this time from an Alex Masciovecchio just in the nick of time as Olsen arrived.

Dylan Ryan beat Macallister to  a long ball  up from Sydney F.C. custodian, Aleander Zaverdinos to scuttle an attacking move on the left side. Woon Sub Sim played a ball in which Zaverdinos grasped and Dylan Rose made a timely interception as the Wolves persisted with attacks. Masciovecchio got close to the post and cutback, but Shaw was there.

In the twenty-first minute, a Beattie shot struck the post after he received Olsen’s pass.

Shots were implemented at both ends , back and forwards. France, from outside the penalty area, drove the ball with power and Slosky took possession. Lacey, who was very dangerous throughout the proceedings. worked to his left before delivering a shot that unluckily for him, took a deflection out of harm’s way. France had another go from distance which Solsky took on his knees. Masciovecchio hit one narrowly wide while Scott in the centre of the box, juggled the ball several times then won a corner kick.  Flyn Madden  whipped his corner kick to the far post. Buesnel was there project his header into the goal for the Wolves to score  at last  in the thirty-fourth minute.

The Wolves nearly went further ahead when a Ryan header off an Olsen cross traversed narrowly wide. Ryan won  and intercepted the ball many times  and mounted many offensive runs down the left.

As the match progressed the Wolves were exerting more pressure than the other way around. Banri Kanaizumi headed to safety a left field Sydney cross before France eluded players to move close to the target. However, despite  this gilt-edged chance, he skied it, unfortunately for his team.

Solsky pulled off to successive mercurial saves from Jordan Graoroski and Nicholas Zdrilic and another good Lacey effort. Ben Giason crossed, and Sydney survived to launch a counterattack quickly ,with Rose shooting on target. Solsky pulled off another big save to preserve his team’s lead.

At the break the Wolves had a one goal advantage and the majority of the first half play.

The second half was a different scenario than the first half. The Sydney F.C. seemingly team’s  tactics were to spread the ball around before launching it upfield  on the wings or centrally to spread the Wolves’ defence. The Wolves were chasing shadows at  times while Sydney had much of the possession. Early on,  a ball was sent forward for France, but alas he could not reach it, but the intent was there. The Wolves had less chances, but Olsen shot high and wide before Harrison Buesnell did well to evade an on-rushing France, as he looked to cause damage. Sydney made ground down the left incrementally with a series of throw ins before substitute Taye Hedley provided a cross that, however,  did not bring up the desired outcome.

Sydney F.C. upped their intention to take it to the Wolves and gained traction as the match wore on. A minute after the hour,  Macallister whacked the post with his shot in one raid. Macallister had earlier in the week scored his team’s winner in the Australian Cup versus Western United.

Sydney pressed the Wolves domain for some time and Buesnell headed out. Scott was on a run with Kyle Shaw and a teammate as he ventured up field. Shaw , with his persistence, won out, pushing Scott off the ball which is by no  means  any easy feat. .Marshal-Wtite dispatched the ball to the Wolves’ far post with Macallister trying valiantly to reach, it but it was all in vain.

Substitute Sebastian Hernandez tried to give his team an extra cushion when he produced a low drive that the Zaverdinos  took.  A Flynn Madden corner kick was ploughed in but the man in charge spotted an indiscretion in the box and a Sydney free kick ensued to relive some pressure.

Lachlan Scott produced two pile driver shots in succession in the seventy-fifth minute with the first being saved and his subsequent effort was cleared off the line by the central defender Shaw. Try as they might, the Wolves could not advance on their solitary goal.

A couple of minutes later, the send off occurred. Buesnel saw red after he inconvenienced Macallister  as he was about to pull the trigger.  Buesnel went from hero to blot his copybook after being impressive in his strong defensive duties.  The ensuing free kick was just outside the penalty area, with Macallister skying his opportunity.

With Sydney having the man advantage, they exerted pressure on the Wolves’ domain but could not enact a breach despite their desperate manoeuvres. The Wolves defence held firm and gain the three points and now enter the top six with one more step on the way to securing finals football. With this defeat Sydney F.C. is now in tenth position.

Dylan Ryan – ‘I really enjoyed that. We were on top in the first half  and in the second half  they came at us…. We are now in the six and we have the momentum after three wins in a row.  I look forward to the next games, especially the one against Spirit.’

 

MATCH STATISTICS

 

WOLLONGONG WOLVES F.C………1.

 

Harrison Buesnell 32’

 

SYDNEY F.C. …………………………..

 

@ WIN Stadium, Wollongong.

 

SATURDAY 3^rd  August  2025

3.00 p.m. kick off

 

WOLLONGONG WOLVES

Coach: Julio Miranda

13.Daniel Solsky, 2. Harrison Buesnel, 4. Dylan Ryan 7. Woon Sub Sim 17. Marcus Beattie 21. Nicholas Olsen, 23. Flynn Madden, 29. Ben Giason, 24. Lachlan Scott (Capt.) (15. Dax Kelly 85’), 25. Alex Masciovecchio (11. Sebastian Hernandez 65’),  29. Ben Giason.

Substitutes Not Used: 1. Oliver Yates GK, 8. Sebastian Duarte    77. Raphael Le’ai

Yellow Cards: Lachlan Scott 43’

Red Cards: Harrison Buesnell 78’

 

SYDNEY F.C.

Coach: Jimmy Van Weeren

12. Alexander Zaverdinos, 3. Kyle Shaw (Capt.) , 4. Joseph Calusic (21. Zac De Jesus 57’), 9. Matthias Macallister 16. Nicholas Zdrillic , 19. Jordan Gbraorski 27. Lachlan Middleton (15. Samuel Lancaster 65’), 29. Joe Lacey,  33. Marin France (20. Oscar Gultekin 65’), 39. Dylan Rose (10. Taye Hedley 46’), 47. Caelan Marshall-Witte.

Substitutes Not Used: 1. Jacob Cremen-Cowan, 11.Reef Farias

Yellow Cards: Joe Lacey 90+2’

Red Cards: Nil

 

Referee: Hayden Langholz

Assistant Referees: Amber Morris and Amirhossein Hosnani

Fourth Official: Oliver Udovicic

By Malcolm Rowney