July 9, 2025
2025 NSW NPL MENS 1 ROUND 22
WOLLONGONG WOLVES v ST. GEORGE F.C.
WOLVES COME FROM BEHIND TO TASTE VICTORY OVER THE SAINTS
The Wolves have returned to the winner’s circle with a sterling 2-1 victory over St. George under stand-in coach, Julio Miranda. St. George had few good opportunities, hitting the cross bar in the first half and had a penalty kick saved by the Wolves’ custodian, Daniel Solsky. The Wolves scored through Alex Masciovecchio and Nicholas Olsen, with Jaden Casella achieving for St. George.
The match began with the Wolves kicking off and running towards the southern end of the ground in the cold winter conditions. As the ball was projected down the right side, a foul on Flynn Madden lead to the first free kick. Olsen took this and sent to the ball to Madden and his subsequent header flew wide. At the other end, Harrison Buesnell twice made timely interceptions as St. George instigated attacks. Buesnell was impressive in the centre throughout the match with his decisive defending.
A few minutes onward, St. George very nearly opened the scoring through Rocco Smith’s targeted effort crashing into the cross bar, nearly giving his team the advantage. A minute later, Casella put through an incisive pass, but the Wolves recovered to see off this danger.
The Wolves’ first attempt on goal was by Olsen, who was ever present in mounting affrays. This time after deceiving a marker, he worked into space. However, no joy was to behold at this juncture.
Ten minutes in, a St. George free kick to the left of centre by Bai Antoniou went high with Dylan Ryan and Ralph Le’Ai clearing other St. George forays.
Five minutes on, Marcus Bettie enacted a header that was taken by St. George custodian, Daniel Axford. Nicholas Kalogerou passed to Casella and produced a shot narrowly wide before Masciovecchio crossed from the left. However, the Wolves could not capitalize on Masciovecchio’s enterprise.
The match was becoming a very competitive affair with each team positively searching for a victory after a few matches had transpired without either team garnering a win.
Masciovecchio was inconvenienced as he burst into the box. The subsequent Olsen free kick traversed wide of the near post. The Wolves had another corner kick following a good run at the defence by Madden.
Not long later, St George drew first blood. Casella was through spreadeagling the defensive line and with Solsky charging out of his goal. Casella had the presence of mind to elude the custodian and play the ball with his left foot; it travelled slowly precisely and rolled into the goal. St. George had gained the lead, and the Wolves had to play catch-up.
The opposition was not going to rest on their laurels as the Saints’ captain, Troy Danaskos surged forward but put the ball over the target. With nine minutes left of the half, Chan Yelcan nearly scored but Solsky managed to grasp the ball. Yelcan was using his physical strength to win the ball in tackles during proceedings. However, Buesnell got the better of him in one raid before the Wolves restored the equilibrium. Olsen provided a pass to Le’Ai with both players being on the left. Le’Ai rampaged forward and then crossed to the far post, where Masciovecchio immediately blasted the ball home.
It was an opportune time to score just before the half time break with the Wolves now having the momentum.
However, St. George began the second stanza with a long ball up the left to Justin
Poon, who in turn provided an enticing cross. Alas for the Saints, Buesnell was there to intervene. Ryan turned a defensive header back to Solsky as Chan loomed. Poon again travelled up field, this time, passing back to Chan but nothing emanated.
Olsen headed over from a Madden lifted ball from right before Lachlan Scott, on for Le’Ai, held the ball up with two defenders in proximity, before releasing Olsen on attack.
Poon was exerting his influence and charged into box and went down in Buesnell there. A penalty kick was awarded. Danaskos, as he has done in past matches, resumed the mantle of penalty taker with successful conversions. As his left footed shot went to the right area of the goal, Solsky dived to his left and palmed the ball away saving the Wolves’ bacon. This was a disappointing moment for St. George.
Banri Kanaizumi made a tackle in the penalty area to take possession of the ball, and a penalty shout went up by the St. George players, though these calls went unheeded. Ben Giason, the overlapping defender, tackled Poon to put him off his stride. At the other end, a Masciovecchio shot was blocked by Mark Rodic after Buesnell strode forward.
Attacks were switching from both ends as each team vied for supremacy. Kanaizumi and Scott prevented the opposition from breaking through before substitute Nikola Skataric slipped at an inappropriate time near the box allowing Kanaizumi to take control.
A free kick was awarded to the Wolves. Olsen took the set piece, precisely curling his effort with his left foot into the left side of the St. George domain from Axford perspective.
In the final ten minutes or so, St. George kept pressing to take something out of this game. Giason got the better of Danaskos and an Aiden O’Shea shot was palmed away by Solsky. Try as they might, it was all in vain as the Wolves had come behind for a much-needed victory and the three points.
Flynn Madden – Yes, first win in my second game. We played the best we could on the slippery surface. It has been good, all the boys have been welcoming, and I knew some from before (in my junior days at the club after being at Macarthur Bulls.). It was very much needed win. We will look at the mistakes and work on them for next week.’
MATCH STATISTICS
WOLLONGONG WOLVES F.C……………….2
Alex Masciovecchio 46+1’, Nicholas Olsen 80’
- GEORGE F.C.…………..………………1
Jaden Casella 38’
@Macedonia Park, Berkeley.
SATURDAY 5th JULY 2025
6.00 p.m. kick off
WOLLONGONG WOLVES
Coach: Julio Miranda
- Daniel Solsky, 2. Harrison Buesnel, 4. Dylan Ryan, 5. Banri Kanaizumi, 6. James Anagnostopoulos (11. Sebastian Hernandez 56’), 17. Marcus Beattie (8. Sebastian Duarte 90+3’), 21. Nicholas Olsen, 23. Flynn Madden (7. Woon Sub Sim 85’), 25. Alex Masciovecchio, 29. Ben Giason, 77. Raphael Le’ai (24. Lachlan Scott 56’)
Substitutes not used: 1. Oliver Yates, 15. Dax Kelly
Yellow Cards: Flynn Madden 34’, Alex Masciovecchio 46’ Marcus Beattie 90’
Red Cards: Nil
- GEORGE F.C.
Coach: Fabian Miceli
St George FC: 20. Daniel Axford, 2. Rocco Smith, 3. Troy Danaskos, 4. Mark Rodic, 5. Nicholas Kalogerou, 8. Evangelo Souris, 9. Chan Yelchan (19. Nikola Skataric 59’), 10. Jadon Casella, 14. Justin Poon (28. Jesper Webber 81’), 15. Bai Antoniou (7. Aeden O’Shea 81’), 16. Kaidyn Wright (18. Giani Di Pizio 72’)
Subs not used 1. Jonte Stark-Harris, 34. Kota Toyooka
Yellow Cards: Troy Danaskos 33’, Chan Yelchan 44’, Rocco Smith 80’
Red Cards: nil
Referee: Joel Crawford
Assistant Referees: Hayden Michlmayr and Mitchell Renton
Fourth Official: Michael Patti
By Malcolm Rowney
