Round 1
WOLLONGONG WOLVES V SUTHERLAND SHIRE SHARKS
Match Report by Malcolm Rowney
This game at WIN Stadium was the first competition fixture between the Wollongong Wolves and the Sutherland Sharks since 1987. It was a topsy-turvy affair with both teams dominating for periods of time and many chances falling for both teams. A draw was the ensuing result.
Wollongong scored the first goal in 31 st minute after a resulting back pass from the Shark's Jack Sobczyk. Goalkeeper Stewart Vella failed to control the ball and Wolves striker Adam Casey slipped in behind to collect the ball and despatch it into the net.
Sutherland responded five minutes later when the ball was crossed in after a good run down the left split the defence. Eddie Adam met the ball and slotted it safely past goalkeeper Nathan Denham.
The Sharks took the lead in the 49 th minute when Eddie Adam scored again after the Wolves' defence opened up. His shot struck Denham on the shoulder and then bounced off across the goal line.
It was not until the 90 th minute that Wollongong equalised. Dustin Wells was lurking in the middle of the field just outside the box. He controlled the ball then put his powerful shot past Vella. This came after the Wolves were pushing extra men forward in search of the equaliser but were exposing their defence at the back. On one occasion, Eddie Adam waltzed up field in the 73 rd minute with only the goalkeeper to beat, but Denham plucked the ball from the attacker's feet to defuse the situation.
Sutherland, showed their intent early on, attacking in the first minute of the game, with left sided player Mitchell Prentice being involved in these many attacking forays into Wolves' territory.
With an ounce of luck the Sharks could have scored a couple of other times had it not been for the goal posts. In the 20 th minute Monte Pfrengle‘s shot hit the corner of the post and rebounded into the field of play, but the resultant shot went straight to Denham. Michael Hawrysiuk's customary long range effort from a free kick hit the right post and cannoned out, eluding two Sutherland players. It was subsequently hacked away for a corner.
Wollongong was best served by Andrew Lazarou, who made many fine runs eluding defenders. His snap shot in the 54 th minute was on target but Vella got in the way. Dustin Wells's involvement in the game was getting better with each passing minute and he came close to scoring in the 52 nd minute, but his shot was just wide. He was aptly rewarded for his play in the last minutes of the game. Daniel Aliffi was working hard in midfield and his powerful shot in the 26 th minute was on target but was just pushed around the post by Vella. Keeper Denham impressed in goal with some well taken saves.
The Wolves were spreading the ball around with some fluid passing movements early on in the second half with Aliffi, Rigopoulos and Casey involved.
Wollongong coach Eddie Tesoro stated after the match ‘ the boys have been working hard for only the last four or five weeks. A lot of young boys were out there were young, some fifteen and sixteen year olds, and its all part of the experience. We were lucky as well. I think it was a fair result and it was a big boost for the boys. We have started the season with one point and we'll keep building from here.'
WOLLONGONG WOLVES 2
Adam Casey 31' Dustin Wells 90'
SUTHERLAND SHARKS 2
Eddie Adam 36' 49'
@ WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
WOLLONGONG WOLVES
COACH: Eddie Tesoro
Line-up: -Nathan Denham, Chris Price, Chris Rigopoulos (Samet Kaynak 60'), Dustin Wells, Darren McDonald, Andrew Mumford, Daniel Aliffi (Daniel McDonald 77'), Adam Casey, Andrew Lazarou, Ballamodou Conde (C) Dean Kerr (Karouna Michael 80'),
Subs not used: Ian Waldron, Tommy Arcaba
SUTHERLAND SHARKS
COACH: Stewart Porter
Line-up: - Stewart Vella, George Souris ( C), Mitchell Prentice (Ben Spruce 66'), Jack Sobczyk, Michael Hawrysiuk, Steve Karavatakis (Paul Wither 55'), Danial Cummins, Steve Baveas (Mark Bariamis 80') Monte Pfrengle, Mat Smith.
Subs not used: Daniel Borg, Jonathan Faerber.
Referee : Peter Vrtkovski
Assistant Referees : Jim Nicolay, Murray Wilson
Fourth Official : Dom Filipovic
Yellow Cards : Wollongong: Dustin Wells 91'
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SYDNEY UNITED v WOLLONGONG WOLVES
Match Report by Cameron De Jong
A determined display went unrewarded this afternoon at the Sydney United Sports Centre for the Wollongong Wolves. Sydney United, tipped to be one of the contenders for the title, had the majority of the play early in the first half, which led to a number of half chances, none of which were particularly effective on goal.
As the Wolves settled, the midfield battle for posession became more evenly poised, with neither side able to penetrate the other's defence. Some excellent build-up work from both teams on plays fell down in the final third, much to the dissapointment of both teams supporters which numbered 1500. The score would remain 0-0 into the half time break.
Both teams returned with a little more vigour but with little more success in wearing down the opponent. "So much for a gulf of class between the two teams", as they exchanged blows. Cardozo and Halpin guiding United, and Alliffi and Balla Conde holding it up in midfield for the Wolves.
In ancient times it was believed that weather phenomena signalled an upset in the universe, and as the weather closed in, it looked very distinctly possible that an upset of collossal proportions was about to unfold on the pitch.
A number of chances fell to the Wolves in the mid portion of the second half, but just lacked the finishing touch. A golden chance fell to the Wolves with the ball falling, only for it to be saved from the feet in a 1 on 1 situation.
Then things went awry for the Wolves. A very soft foul on the edge of the box led to a foul being called. From the ensuing free kick, it found the head of a United player who guided it into the net. To the Wolves credit they kept on fighting and its this spirit that i think will guide the team to a season performance that will eclipse many expectations of this side. Unfortuanately, as the rain began to fall, it became near impossible for both teams to maintain possesion effectively.
From the edge of the box, a sliding shot found tis way into the Wolves net, and effectively shot holes in any comeback hope for the Wolves. A late curling free kick almost got the Wolves a goal they desperately needed, and most probably deserved. That would be near one of the final plays of the game, and it finished with the Wolves two goals down, but earnt the respect of many in the Edensor Park stadium and perhaps some of the other compteition frontrunners.
Round 3
WOLLONGONG WOLVES V APIA LEICHHARDT TIGERS
Match Report by Malcolm Rowney
Two goals in the second half were enough to break the first half stalemate in the game at WIN Stadium between the Wolves and the Tigers on Friday night. The game kicked off at 8.30 p.m. with both teams hoping to turn around last start losses and to climb up the Premier League table with their first win of the season. During the course of the game, Apia and Wollongong had goals disallowed, but Shane McGirr's goal scoring prowess proved the difference between the two sides.
Apia's first goal occurred in the sixty-eighth minute when McGirr received a through ball from Grant Last. McGirr ran through on the right side of the field completely eluding the defence and slotting the ball past goalkeeper Nathan Denham. Some members of the crowd were claiming offside but there seemed to be two players keeping McGirr onside and the linesman was proved correct.
Eleven minutes later, McGirr was on the scoresheet again. McGirr, on receiving another good pass from Last, was closed down by defender Andrew Mumford, McGirr twisted and turned to elude Mumford to get his shot in.
The first half was a dour struggle with the teams testing each other out. Both teams had attacks on goal but each amounted to nothing. The Tiger's keeper Mitchell Blowes got down to a good shot from Dustin Wells in the second minute. Apia's Andrew McKie had a good left foot shot in the fifth minute but was snuffed out by Denham. In the twelfth minute Blowes cannoned a back pass off striker Adam Casey which nearly rebounded into the net. Casey steamed through with the ball in the twenty fourth minute. Blowes was equalled to the task when he came out of his area to defuse a dangerous situation. Apia had a goal disallowed for offside in the thirteenth minute.
McGirr was capably held by the defence for the first half at least and was closely marked. A lot of possession was lost with ill directed passes after good passing movements, with both teams guilty of that. The Wolves used the long ball on many occasions.
After Apia had scored their first goal the Wolves were eager to attack and to restore some respectability, but in doing so the defence became somewhat stretched. Apia took advantage of this with their second goal. But before this McGirr goal, a cross by Steve Hayes eluded Blowes. The ball fell to left defender Chris Price who fired his shot goal wards with his right foot, but Blowes got a touch to turn the ball away for a corner. The Wolves finally got the ball over the goal line very late in the game, courtesy of Ballamodou Conde, but the goal did not stand because of offside play.
Apia were best served by hard working Daniel McCann, Grant Last, who set up attacks, Robert Stanton, who played consistently at left back and Shane McGirr, who never fails to score in the similar circumstances he found himself in. Jim Nikas, when he came on, scurried around and was dangerous when he had the ball.
Wollongong captain Conde tried to get his team going with an adept display of passing and winning the ball. Darren McDonald was solid at the back and tried in the second half to launch attacks. Chris Price was effective down the left and Steve Hayes, playing his first Premier League for Wollongong was energetic and purposeful. Daniel Aliffi also was hard working down the right side of midfield.
WOLLONGONG WOLVES …….0
APIA LEICHHARDT TIGERS ………2
Shane McGirr 68', 79'
@ WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
WOLLONGONG WOLVES
COACH: Eddie Tesoro
Line-up: - Nathan Denham, Chris Price, Chris Rigopoulos, Dustin Wells, Darren McDonald, Andrew Mumford, Daniel Aliffi (Alioune Badara Ndaiye 73'), Adam Casey, Andrew Lazarou (Ian Waldron 80'), Ballamodou Conde (C) Steven Hayes,
Subs not used: Vedran Jaganjac, Tommy Arcaba, Dean Kerr.
APIA LEICHHARDT
COACH: Les De Celis
Line-up: - Mitchell Blowes, Robert Stanton, Nathan Moulds (Paul Dee 79'), Richard Luksic, Michael Galluzzo, Steve Bozinoski, Yavus Ekinci, Grant Last (Peter Peralta), Andrew McKie, (Jim Nikas 70'), Shane McGirr, Daniel McCann.
Subs not used: Aaron Burgess, Cameron Jones.
Referee : Alex Glasgow
Assistant Referees : Srebre Delovski, Damian Wanstall
Yellow Cards : APIA - Daniel McCann 46+
Wollongong - Adam Casey 33', Ballamodou Conde 87',
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WOLLONGONG WOLVES v MANLY UNITED F.C. 26.3.06
Match Report by Malcolm Rowney
The Wollongong Wolves were seeking their first home win of the season but instead incurred another loss, while Manly United F.C. continued on their winning way in the game at WIN Stadium on Sunday evening. The Wolves had five goals scored against them at their last start and Manly went into this fixture with a previous game victory. With Wolves player and top goal scorer Adam Casey out for the match, it remained to be seen if this would affect the Wolves game plan.
It was in the forty third minute that Nikolai Topor–Stanley made a run down the left wing and crossed the ball to Bradley Groves. He met the cross and Wolves goalkeeper Nathan Denham palmed his header out. The ball went straight back to Groves and he subsequently put it past Denham, this time into the net for Manly to open the scoring.
Manly scored again when Robbie Cattanach was left unattended in the fifty fourth minute. On receipt of a pass, he edged closer to the goal. His powerful shot hit the back of the net, giving Manly a two goal cushion. Denham got a hand to the ball but with not enough power to deflect it to safety.
The Wolves replied with a goal to Daniel Aliffi in the sixty seventh minute. Substitute Ian Waldron made a run down the right. He whipped in a pinpoint cross and Aliffi scored with his header, completely eluding goalkeeper Brad Swannicott.
Barely a minute had elapsed and Manly was at it again. Cattanach had sprung the offside trap as Wolves defender Darren McDonald kept signalling to the assistant referee for offside. Play was waved on and Cattanach crossed to substitute James Monie who made no mistake.
In the first half the Wolves made a little more of the running and had quite a few goal scoring chances. Dustin Wells had a couple of mid range shots that went over and the team actually had the ball in the net courtesy of Andrew Lazarou. However, it did not stand due to an offside infringement.
Manly, on the other hand got into scoring positions a couple of times. Topor-Stanley put his header over from a Joe Schirrpa corner. Cattanach was through very early in the second half and only a last ditch tackle by Chris Price saved the day for this time at least. The Manly defence adequately coped with what the Wolves threw at them.
However, once Manly had scored their first goal, they were sparked into action in the second half with Cattanach, Andrew Mailer. Monie, Groves and Schirrpa all contributing to attacks. Cattanach was explosive as he mesmerised the defence. He put one over as Denham dived at his feet. In the final moments of the four minutes time added on, Schirrpa missed an easy chance after he had avoided the defence.
The Wolves threw caution to the wind in their pursuit of goals after they were down by two. Wolves substitute Wayne Gibson had gilt edged opportunity to score with only the keeper to beat. However, he took a little too much time to control the ball before being closed down
Nonetheless, Manly exposed defensive weaknesses and were coming through with speed. With twenty or so minutes, central defender McDonald was given a straight red card for his last line of defence tackle on Cattanach. He immediately started to walk off before referee Alex Glasgow had produced the red card.
Adam Israel was composed at the back for Manly, as was Darren McDonald before his exit, for the Wolves. Daniel Aliffi was impressive in what he did.
Manly have now moved up to fifth position in the Premier League standings and the Wolves will need to concentrate on overcoming their defensive lapses.
WOLLONGONG WOLVES …….1
Daniel Aliffi 67'.
MANLY UNITED F.C. ………3
Bradley Groves 43', Robbie Cattanach 54', James Monie 68'
@ WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
WOLLONGONG WOLVES
COACH: Eddie Tesoro
Line-up: - Nathan Denham, Chris Price, Chris Rigopoulos (Ian Waldron 61'), Dustin Wells, Darren McDonald, Andrew Mumford, Daniel Aliffi, Dean Kerr (Daniel McDonald 84'), Andrew Lazarou (Wayne Gibson 46'), Ballamodou Conde (C) Steven Hayes,
Subs not used: Tommy Arcaba, Karauna Michael.
MANLY UNITED F.C
COACH: Phil Moss
Line-up: Brad Swannicott, Andrew Mailer, Adam Israel, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Anthony Martin (Pascal Julliard 44'), Michael Williams (James Monie 46'), Richard Williams, Scott Thomas, Joe Schirrpa, Brad Groves, Robbie Cattanach.
Subs not used: Marty Hall, Ashley Ryan, Mathew Deegan.
Referee : Alex Glasgow
Assistant Referees: David Morris, Ian Sackett.
Fourth Official: Adam Susz
Red Card – Wollongong –Darren McDonald 74'
Yellow Cards : Manly - Pascal Julliard 45+,
Wollongong – Nil
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| PERINICH BACK as WOLVES THRASH the EAGLES
Match Report by SOCCERNSW Parramatta slumped to their fifth defeat of the season and handed Wollongong Wolves their first clean sheet of the Vodafone Premier League season and their second victory in a very one-sided match that the visitors won 4-0.
There was only one competitive side in the game after Wolves' captain, Balla Conde, had been left alone just outside the box in the 15th minute and had sent a sweetly-struck shot into the roof of Stuart Page's net.
Conde had an iron grip on the midfield and his defensive forces were well led by Any Mumford, with keeper Nathan Denham barely required to touch the ball all game.
In the 20th minute Dean Kerr angled a shot that just cleared the Parramatta bar as the Wolves continued to dominate.
In the 29th new signing, Tony Perinich, was given ample space inside the six yard box to head clinically past Page after receiving a well flighted cross from the left by Chris Price.
A Mumford free kick on the right in the 41st allowed Conde to make it 3-0 with a flying header at the far post.
Wollongong relaxed a little after the break but Page still had to save from substitute Daniel McDonald in the 58th as the Eagles made little headway.
Moments into stoppage time Steve Hayes made it 4-0 when he latched onto a poor clearance at the edge of the box to hammer home a low shot.
“We came here determined not to concede,” admitted a clearly delighted Wolves' coach Eddie Tesoro after the game,
“We did that and more.”
The Wolves must wish they played at Melita Stadium every week as their only other win came on the same ground against Bankstown City Lions, three weeks earlier.
PARRAMATTA FC Stuart Page - Pat Gatt, John Kelso, Angelo Petratos (C), Emmanuel Zunnino – Erik Paartalu, Joel Thiessen, Leo Carle (Daniel Clifford 79) , Robbie Gomez – Devon Bonne (Chris Camilleri 38) , Chris Gomez
Subs Not Used: RGK Ben Wunch, Nicolas McInerney, Alvaro Malmierca
Coach Raul Blanco
Yellow Cards: Joel Theissen 25, Robbie Gomez 59, Daniel Clifford 88
Red Cards Nil
WOLLONGONG WOLVES: - Nathan Denham - Chris Rigopoulos, Ian Waldron, Andrew Mumford (Vedran Jaganjac 86) - Chris Price, Dustin Wells, Daniel Aliffi, Dean Kerr, Ballamodou Conde (C) Steven Hayes - Tony Perinich (Daniel McDonald 31)
Subs not used: RGK Tommy Arcaba, Wayne Gibson, Andrew Lazarou
Coach: Eddie Tesoro
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Referee: Srebre Delovski
Assistants: Sandro Perticarini and Sarah Ho
Fourth Official: Damien Wanstall |
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CONTINENTAL TYRES CUP
ROUND THREE
DANDALOO v WOLLONGONG WOLVES
Match Report by Malcolm Rowney.
After a second half comeback by Dandaloo Lions, the Wollongong Wolves emerged the victors in extra time in the third round Continental Tyres Cup encounter between these two teams from the Illawarra. This match was held at Crehan Park before a healthy crowd of approximately a thousand who came to see whether the champions of the Illawarra 2005 could knock over the area's State premier league side.
Both teams had attacking moves from the outset with newly signed Dandaloo goalkeeper Tommy Arcaba grasping the ball from a Daniel Aliffi shot, after he had collected a through pass in the first minute of play. A minute later Dandaloo's Paul Gaffney shot wide from a fair distance.
It wasn't long before the Wolves had gained the ascendancy. In the tenth minute a low cross from the right found a dominant Ballamodou Conde, just outside the area in the centre of field. He struck a strong shot which eluded the goalkeeper for the first goal. From this moment on the Wolves took control with Conde and Dustin Wells being industrious in the midfield and Aliffi constantly probing the defence for opportunities. Chances flew thick and fast. A shot by Peter Gaffney through a crowd of players was saved by the fingertips of Wolves ‘keeper Nathan Denham. This was the closest Dandaloo had come to scoring in the first half.
Wollongong increased their advantage close to half time when Peter Gaffney cleared a shot by Conde off the line. The ball found Aliffi in the middle of the field and his right-footed shot went in off the right goal post giving the Wolves a comfortable lead.
However, a different story emerged in the second half as Dandaloo stepped up a gear. With substitute and former New Zealand international Chris Jackson gradually imposing himself in midfield, along with Paul Gaffney and Matt O'Shea, the Dandaloo attack went into overdrive. Long balls out of defence from Ben Blake and David Kerr were directed upfront to strikers Brad Boardman and Paul Harries but they were caught offside a number of times. O'Shea hit the cross bar with a stinging shot in the fifty ninth minute. Peter Gaffney whipped in a number of crosses from the left, but to no avail.
In this period of time the Wolves players went into their shells and waited for the play to come to them. They chased the ball a lot and turned over any possession they had gained.
Dandaloo's breakthrough came in the seventieth minute when Boardman eluded the defence and kept onside this time. He steamed towards goal, rounded the advancing Denham and slotted home the ball. Dandaloo were back in the match.
In the seventy first minute, Aliffi was set free. With the defence sniping at his heels, he charged down the middle, but his resultant shot was directed straight at the keeper.
Just three minutes later, O'Shea was denied by the cross bar from close range.
The Wolves had barely time to set their defence when O'Shea latched onto a cross to send the ball into the net through a crowded area, past goalkeeper Denham, who would have had trouble sighting the ball.
Dandaloo had equalised. It was even stevens again.
Very late in the second half the Wolves had a great opportunity to edge in front once more when Darren McDonald tried to sneak a goal just inside the left post. Alas for the Wolves Arcaba just kept it out with his finger tips.
Just prior to half time the Wolves changed goalkeepers with Stacy Alogdellis making his Wolves debut.
Extra time ensued.
For the first period of extra time the Wolves were under the gun. A Blake corner eluded all to got through to Alogdellis, who dealt with it by punching out with both fists. Tempers frayed with Kearns and Vedran Jaganjac and Alogdellis all involved in the middle of Dandaloo's half.
For the second period of extra time the Wolves emerged from their hibernation. Conde raced through and passed to Darren McDonald whose resultant shot was kicked by a defender, which nearly went into his own net.
The winner for the Wolves came three minutes before the end of extra time. Daniel McDonald scored the goal from the centre of the park with a good shot to send the Wolves into the fourth round of this cup competition, with a game against Apia Leichhardt.
Coach John Turner, who only had been coach for forty eight hours, employed a new system for the team for this game. He stated after the match that he was quite pleased with the commitment of his young team.
DANDALOO LIONS …….2
Brad Boardman 70', Matt O'Shea 78'
WOLLONGONG WOLVES ………3
Ballamodou Conde 10', Daniel Aliffi 45', Daniel McDonald 117'
@ John Crehan Park, Cringila.
DANDALOO LIONS
Coach: Peter Beggs
Line-up: -Tommy. Arcaba, Brett Fleming, A. Mathews (Chris Jackson 38'), Ben Blake, David Kerr, Brendan Kearns, Paul Gaffney, Matt O'Shea, Ben Boardman (J. Fernandez 102'), Paul Harries, Peter Gaffney (Geoff Howarth 60').
Subs not used: A. Steins.
WOLLONGONG WOLVES
Coach: John Turner
Line-up: - Nathan Denham (Stacy Alogdellis 90'), Chris Price, Chris Rigopoulos, Dustin Wells, Darren McDonald (Karouna Michael 118'), Vedran Jaganjac, Daniel Aliffi, Ian Waldon, Ballamodou Conde (C), Dean Kerr, Wayne Gibson (Daniel McDonald 66')
Subs not used: , David Boscoscuro, Kurt Saterdag
Referee : Peter Vrtkovski
Yellow Cards: Dandaloo – Brendan Kearns
Wollongong- Stacy Alogdellis
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WOLLONGONG WOLVES v SYDNEY UNITED
Match Report by Malcolm Rowney
A total of six goals were scored in the Round Eleven match at WIN Stadium between Wollongong Wolves and Sydney United in the Vodaphone N.S.W. Premier League, with Sydney United dominating proceedings with five. The referee gave two penalties and one red card and these decisions played their part in the final outcome of the match.
Sydney United mounted the first attack on the southern goal with a Troy Halpin ball, that was swung in from the left, being easily handled by Wolves' ‘keeper, Nathan Denham. Wollongong opened their first foray into the danger area when Darren McDonald, who was playing his last match for the Wolves, swept the ball across field to makeshift striker Daniel Aliffi. His resultant shot beat the goalkeeper but scraped the cross bar.
After this close shave, Sydney United went behind when Daniel Aliffi received a pass from Ballamodou Conde after a long throw out of defence, by Denham. Aliiffi was barrelled over in the box by defender Mile Jedinak and referee Streater had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Aliffi stepped up and placed his shot to the right of goalkeeper Mathew Cox and the Wolves were ahead.
Straight after the first goal, Jim Bakis bobbed up to collect a pass from Marko Filipovic but his shot went wide. Aliffi again was in a good position to score when he tried to round goalkeeper Cox but it amounted to nothing.
United finally equalised as Bakis and Halpin pulled the strings in midfield and were getting on top.
Greg Owens threaded through the defence and Denham charged out, clipping him with seemingly the slightest of touches. Owens was spreadeagled on the ground and another penalty was given. Jedinak took the spot kick and it was all square again with signs of more goals to come.
Spectators did not have to wait too long for the next goal, as barely a minute elapsed. However, Sydney took three attempts to knock it in. Halpin struck the bar with his cracking shot and the ball rebounded to Bakis. Denham pushed out his header. The ball subsequently fell to Tallan Martin who sunk number two for Sydney United.
Sydney's experienced centre back duo of Ante Juric and Joe Vrkic were solid in defence and coped with the Wolves' attacks, with the team being extremely mobile in breaking out of defence when in possession and exhibiting fluid passing movements.
In the thirty ninth minute Sydney United scored their third goal. Bakis snapped his shot from close range after coming in from the right placing it past the advancing Denham.
The halftime score line was Wollongong 1 and Sydney United 3.
Both teams had chances in the first period of the second half, with Wollongong's Hayes and Conde and Sydney's Bakis, Halpin and, Martin on target.
The Wolves' situation went from bad to worse when Steve Hayes received his second yellow twenty minutes before the final whistle for shirt pulling.
Substitute Pablo Cardozo scored in the seventy fourth minute with a header from a floating cross from Marko Filipovic who had made an incisive run down the right.
Cardozo was involved the final goal when on receiving a pass from Bakis he played a delightful back heel return pass that was well placed into Bakis' path. Bakis hit his second when he weaved in and out of defenders to score with a right footed shot to round out the scoring.
Wollongong allowed too much space and the cross field passing did not create the desired space where it was needed.
Coach John Turner stated after the match he thought that his team could do something at 1- 3. He also said that no one likes to lose and you only have to look to see the strength of Sydney with the likes of Cardozo on the bench,
and his team without a recognised striker. He told his team that they have to aspire to that standard.
The players persevered but were out gunned by more experienced and slick team opposition; the game was a steep learning curve for the team.
WOLLONGONG WOLVES …….1
Daniel Aliffi 10'
SYDNEY UNITED ………5
Mile Jedinak 25', Tallan Martin 26', Jim Bakis 39', 80', Pablo Cardozo 74'.
@ WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
WOLLONGONG WOLVES
COACH: John Turner
Line-up: -Nathan Denham, Chris Price (Andrew Mumford 83'), Chris Rigopoulos, Ian Waldon, Dustin Wells, Darren McDonald, Daniel Aliffi, Steve Hayes, Ballamodou Conde (C) (Vedran Jaganjac 83') Dean Kerr, Wayne Gibson (Andrew Lazarou 74')
Subs not used: Daniel Collison
SYDNEY UNITED
COACH: Jean-Paul de Marigny
Line-up: - Mathew Cox, Ante Juric, (Dean Culina 83), Mile Jedinak, Joe Vrkic (C), Mitchell Thompson, Troy Halpin, Marko Filipovic, Jim Bakis, Tallan Martin (Pablo Cardozo 69'), Lisandro Berbis (Petar Markovac 83') Greg Owens.
Subs not used: Luka Glavas, Robert Napoleane,
Referee : Jonathan Streater
Assistant Referees : Sharon O'Neill, David Cook
Fourth Official : Kurt Amj
Yellow Cards : Wollongong: Steve Hayes 34' 70', Darren McDonald 77'
Red Cards : Wollongong: Steve Hayes 70'
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WOLLONGONG WOLVES V BANKSTOWN LIONS
Match Report by Malcolm Rowney
One goal was enough to provide the difference in the score line at the conclusion of the Round Twelve match between the Wollongong Wolves and Bankstown Lions in Sunday's match at WIN Stadium. Five goals in total were scored, with a brace to one player and a thirty metre pearler from a defender. In the wash up, Wollongong was defeated by Bankstown by three goals to two.
Bankstown was one up in the very first minute when Chimaobi Nwaogazi latched onto a cross from Stephanos Livias and scored in the first attack up field after catching the defence napping. He nearly had another one not long after when he dived through the air in his attempt to meet a cross from the right. However, Wolves goalkeeper Stacy Alogdellis cut it out just in the nick of time.
Bankstown were keeping possession with both George Nohra and Paul Kohler on their game, in control of the midfield.
The Wolves back line of Chris Rigopoulos, Andy Mumford and Dean Kerr had their work cut out in defusing attacks, while Ballamodou Conde was forced to drop deeper, which blunted the Wolves midfield options during this period.
The Wollongong players took some time to recover and collect their thoughts after conceding the early goal. They first mounted an attacking foray when Daniel Aliffi was just caught offside after a good through ball in the eleventh minute. Seven minutes later, Darren McDonald made a strong run down the left and Dustin Wells met his cross, whose resultant shot cleared the bar.
Bankstown had many more chances during the half. Peter Tsekenis stormed in, in his attempt to meet a corner kick. On another occasion, with good lead up work from Shane Webb, who was operating down the right side, passed to Babic, who hit the side netting.
The Wolves were having trouble keeping possession during this time and were put under sustained pressure.
After about half an hour of play, Babic cheekily back heeled in the danger area but the Wolves defenders scrambled it out to safety. The Wolves then moved up field and Dustin Wells became the recipient of the ball. He subsequently moved it on to Adam Casey whose cross fell to Daniel Aliffi who placed the ball past the goalkeeper, Peter Spathis. Aliffi had scored the equaliser - his fifth goal of the season, to be Wollongong's equal top scorer.
The Wolves team began to believe in themselves after the goal. They went close in the thirty seventh minute when Spathis came out to the edge of the penalty area to intercept a ball intended for Wolves' striker Adam Casey, who was back in the side after injury, and Olyroo commitments. Casey got there first and pumped the ball over Spathis towards the goal. A shot was swept off the line and another came in but somehow it would not go in.
In the final throw of the dice for the first half, Casey got the ball over the line after a great left sided run from Dean Kerr, but was disallowed for off side.
At the half time the scoreboard read one goal all.
Babic and Marc Hoenselaars for the Lions and McDonald for the Wolves struck wide shots early on in the second half before a penalty was given against Kerr for his tackle on Robert Mileski. Nwaogazi took the spot kick that went to the left of Alogdellis for his two goal tally.
Seven minutes later, the experienced Babic scored Bankstown's third with Nwaogazi again involved and the game seemingly over at 3-1.
Mile ski made a number of runs through the defence but nothing emanated from these good efforts apart from the earlier penalty.
The Wolves were not to be denied when Vedran Jaganjac, who was positioned to the right of centre about thirty metres or so out, let a shot go which sailed into the top left hand corner completely catching Bankstown by surprise. This was certainly an excellent contender for goal of the year.
Wolves' substitute Tony Perinich came on and his experience came to the fore, as he was able to hold the ball up and look for supports as Wollongong went looking for the equaliser.
Bankstown's Kohler tried a long shot and Casey and Aliffi combined but Casey could not muster any power in his shot.
In the seventy fifth minute Casey was put through but was taken out by a defender who received a yellow card for his tackle.
Late in the game Aliffi was injured after colliding in a fifty-fifty confrontation. Both players attempted to kick the ball simultaneously but Aliffi came off in the exchange worse for wear. As Bankstown's Stephan Bishara saw the injured player, he sportingly kicked the ball out.
Bankstown was a good team who had returned to form.
The Wolves were up against it in the first half but improved in the second stanza.
Coach John Turner stated after the game that ‘in the first thirty minutes we were asleep. They were very sharp and too good for us. Our defence was non-existent all over the park but we were the better team in the second half. They failed to follow instructions in the first half and the score flattered us.'
On the penalty decision, ‘there was no need to give away the penalty. The other player was going nowhere, and he was facing the sideline. We can't give those away- soft goals.' For the rest of the season, ‘We're still working, trying to be a team. They're all trying to gain contracts for next year and whilst they are, they've got to be doing their best'.
Player Darren McDonald, after his final match for Wollongong, said that he's enjoyed his time at the club. 'The team's got a long way to go but we're strong at the helm. I sure that they will get better. It's a young team lacking a bit of experience but will be working hard on the paddock.'
WOLLONGONG WOLVES …….2
Daniel Aliffi 34' Vedran Jaganjac 62 '
BANKSTOWN LIONS ………3
Chimobi Nwaogazi 1', 53', Sean Babic 58'
@ WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
WOLLONGONG WOLVES
COACH: John Turner
Line-up: - Stacy Alogdellis, Chris Rigopoulos (Andrew Lazarou 86'), Ian Waldon, Vedran Jaganjac, Dustin Wells, Darren McDonald, Andrew Mumford (Tony Perinich 66'), Daniel Aliffi, Adam Casey (Wayne Gibson 73'), Ballamodou Conde (C) Dean Kerr
Subs not used: Nathan Denham
BANKSTOWN LION
COACH: Peter Tsekenis
Line-up: - Peter Spathis, Matthew Pressello, Peter Tsekenis, Stefanos Lavas, Paul Kohler, George Nora (Stephan Bihar), Marc Hoenselaars, Shane Webb, Robert Mileski (Phil Makyrys 60'), Chima Nwaogazi, Sean Babic (Marino Musumeci 66')
Subs not used : Peter Vassilis, Carlo Musumeci, Samuel Mort.
Referee : N. Asargiotis
Assistant Referees : D. Filipovic, T. Goodhew
Fourth Official : K.Griffiths
Yellow Cards : Wollongong: Vedran Jaganjac 36'
Bankstown: George Nohra, Marc Hoenselaars 75', Stephanos Livias 82'
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WOLLONGONG WOLVES v MARCONI STALLIONS
MATCH REPORT by MALCOLM ROWNEY
The Wollongong Wolves put it all together with their defensive and counter attacking tactics when they thwarted the vastly experienced Marconi side to the tune of two goals to nil at WIN Stadium. This was the first home win of the season for the Wolves and was a well deserved one at that. The team constantly soaked up a lot of pressure and when the players went into attacking mode they made their opportunities count.
Marconi started off brightly with players spreading the ball around and applying sustained pressure. The first chance occurred when John Buonavoglia received a defence splitting pass from Naoki Imaya. His subsequent shot bulged the side netting. A few minutes later, Tony Faria's shot was well taken by Wolves' goalkeeper, Nathan Denham.
Wollongong's Dustin Wells determinedly bullocked his way through the defence in the ninth minute with his head down. This epitomised the Wolves' commitment and resolve that was shown throughout the match.
The first goal came in the twelfth minute when a pass from Ballamodou Conde who was on the halfway line, was lifted over the defenders. Tony Perinich ran through as defenders paused momentarily, appealing for an offside decision that did not eventuate. His ensuing shot went through the legs of the rapidly advancing Marconi goalkeeper, Andrew Crews and the Wolves had edged in front.
Marconi kept pressing after this early setback with Imaya and Buonavoglia having chances that went wide of, or over the bar. Marconi had the lion's share of possession but the five man Wolves defence of Ian Waldon, Vedran Jaganjac, Dean Kerr, Andrew Mumford and Chris Rigopoulos stuck to their guns and tackled their hearts out.
Wollongong attacked on occasion and a chance occurred when Conde completely deceived a defender when he ran at him. His resultant stinging shot from an acute angle was somehow kept out by Crews.
Other chances occurred for the Wolves. Chris Price put through Perinich, who could not get much power on his shot. Conde's long distance shot went wide after good lead up work from Price and Steve Hayes, who was terrier like in the midfield all throughout the match.
The Stallions applied more pressure in the forty third minute when a high cross came in and Faria attempted a header at the same time as Denham came for it. However, the chance went begging.
In the second minute of the second half Marconi began again with their pressing game. Luke Casserly propelled a powerful shot towards the goal. However, on this occasion Denham failed to hold, and the ball bobbed around dangerously. Marconi's Adam D'Apuzzo attempted to make contact and it was finally scrambled away to safety by Wolves' defender Rigopoulos.
The second goal occurred when Conde passed to Price, after he showed a clean pair of heels down the left side. On receipt of the pass, he propelled the ball with his left foot down the centre of the empty goal, just as Crews and defender Michael Cunico were converging on him.
Marconi pressed forward throughout the match with sustained pressure, but fell down with their execution in the final third of the field. Loose balls in the box went Wollongong's way.
The Wolves played their game plan to perfection with all players committed to the task at hand. They have reaped the rewards, relinquishing last position on the points table and being victors over a high flying team. The Man of the Match was Dustin Wells.
Coach John Turner stated after the match ‘that we had a plan all week to soak up the pressure and counter attack. There were eleven soldiers out there who stuck to the task.' As well as devising the tactical approach, the astute Turner also had the dimensions of the pitch changed to the minimum size to give his team every advantage.
Captain Ballamodou Conde stated that ‘it was a good win because everyone put in a big effort.'
Goal scorer Chris Price was ‘pleased with his goal and the way the team played'.
WOLLONGONG WOLVES …….2
Tony Perinich 12' Chris Price 76 '
MARCONI STALLIONS ………0
@ WIN Stadium, Wollongong .
WOLLONGONG WOLVES
COACH: John Turner
Line-up: - Nathan Denham, Chris Rigopoulos, Ian Waldon, Vedran Jaganjac, Dustin Wells, Andrew Mumford), Chris Price, Steve Hayes, Dean Kerr,
Ballamodou Conde (C), Tony Perinich (Wayne Gibson 57', Andrew Lazarou 90+, David Polidoro 90+)
Subs not used: Stacy Alogdellis
MARCONI STALLIONS
COACH: Brian Brown
Line-up: - Andrew Crews, Paul Cotte, Vuko Tomasevic (Tynan Diaz 86'), Michael Cunico, Luke Casserly (c), Simon Catanzaro, Tony Faria, Adam D'Apuzzo, Naoki Imaya, Mark D'Alessandro (William Thom 79'), John Buonavoglia
Subs not used: Wade Oostendorp, Troy Roberts, James Chronopoulos
Referee : Con Diomis
Assistant Referees : G. Leadbeatter, A. Susz
Yellow Cards : Wollongong: Andrew Mumford 45'
Marconi: John Buonavoglia 70'
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WOLLONGONG WOLVES v PARRAMATTA. F.C.
MATCH REPORT by MALCOLM ROWNEY
This fixture between the Wollongong Wolves and Parramatta was a dour struggle between two teams placed in the lower echelons of the Vodaphone N.S.W. Premier League points table. Only one goal separated the teams when the final whistle sounded with Wollongong conceding the points to Parramatta after failing to equalise with a spot kick. This defeat has consigned Wollongong to the cellar of the competition.
Parramatta had the first attack of the game when Erik Paartalu’s effort went high over the bar. The team went closer with their next attacking foray after a good pass from Robert Gomez found Shannon Cole. His shot brought a fingertip save from Wolves’ goalkeeper, Nathan Denham.
An early Wollongong initial attack came when Dustin Wells made a determined run to the goal line then cut a searching ball across the face of goal, which eluded absolutely everyone.
Both teams had a few hopeful opportunities up to half time but no one could break the deadlock. Wollongong’s Tony Perinich had a snap shot, which narrowly went wide, Wells put one over and Chris Price tried with a long range shot. Parramatta’s Russell Woodruffe went close with a header that was tipped over and Gomez hit the side netting with one of his efforts.
The game breaker eventuated in the seventh minute of the second half. There was a long mesmerising solo run down the centre of the park by Gomez as he twisted and turned eluding four tacklers to get in position to shoot. He let fly and his shot eluded Denham. This run by Gomez certainly exposed the Wolves defensive frailties.
However, the Wolves had a gilt edged chance to score in the seventieth minute after the Parramatta ‘keeper had impeded a player as the ball had been headed on. The ball looped towards the goal but a backtracking defender headed off the line with the ball going upwards and over the bar. Subsequently, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Striker Adam Casey stepped up for the shot but disappointedly for the Wolves, Page kept out his powerfully struck effort with ease.
Wollongong needed to salvage something from the match but it was to no avail. Parramatta emerged the winners one goal to nil in a match that did not rise to any great heights.
The Parramatta team were well served by Gomez who was dangerous from midfield and Cole who was elusive.
For Wollongong, Wells kept persevering and Chris Rigopoulos defended in a stout manner.
WOLLONGONG WOLVES……0
PARRAMATTA ………1
Robert Gomez 52’
@ WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
WOLLONGONG WOLVES
COACH: John Turner
Line-up: -Nathan Denham, Chris Price, Chris Rigopoulos, Ian Waldon, Dustin Wells, Ballamodou Conde (C) Vedran Jaganjac (Karouna Michael 84’), Dean Kerr, Adam Casey, Wayne Gibson (David Polidoro 76’), Tony Perinich (David Boscoscuro 41’).
Subs not used: RGK Stacy Alogdellis
PARRAMATTA
COACH: Raul Blanco
Line-up: - Stuart Page, Patrick Gatt, Emmanuel Zunico (John Kelso 76’), Daniel Clifford, Ben Delicata, Erik Paartalu, Evangelos Petratos, Nathan Rivera, Robert Gomez, Shannon Cole (Alvaro Malmierca 76’) Russell Woodruffe (Michael Debono 89’)
Subs not used: Ben Wunsch, Dvon Bonne
Referee: Matthew Breeze
Assistant Referees:
David Christie, Colin Green
Fourth Official: Murray Wilson
Yellow Cards:
Wollongong: Chris Price 75’, Dustin Wells 87’
Parramatta: Michael Debono
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WOLLONGONG WOLVES v BLACKTOWN CITY DEMONS
MATCH REPORT BY MALCOLM ROWNEY
With many first team members ruled out due to injury, Wolves coach John Turner had no option other than to promote a number of youth team players in the final home match for the season against the newly crowned 2006 N.S.W. Vodaphone Premier League champions, Blacktown City Demons. Blacktown, who were nine points ahead of the second placed team going into this match at WIN Stadium, became champions after their closest rival had been defeated the night before. Blacktown scored twice, once in each half for a 2-0 win.
Blacktown’s first goal occurred in the sixteenth minute when a header back by a Wolves player went astray and Ante Deur subsequently gained possession of the ball. He passed it to striker Tolgay Ozbey who struck a powerful shot past Wolves goalkeeper Stacy Alogdellis.
After sustained pressure from Blacktown, the ball popped out to substitute Roger Galayini who was approximately twenty five metres out from goal. In the seventy fifth minute he whipped the ball with his left foot into the net.
During the course of the game Blacktown had a glut of possession spreading the ball round with consummate ease, probing for openings. They went close on several occasions. In the sixty seventh minute, Ozbey rattled the crossbar with a powerful shot. Four minutes later Ante Deur’s goal bound shot was just tipped over the crossbar in a good save by Alogdellis. Ivan Zelic also brought out the best from Alogdellis in the fortieth minute with a blazing shot. Luke Roodenburg Tyler Simpson, substitute Michael Brown and Kain Rastall also had chances to score but went unrewarded for their efforts. Mirko Jurilj was solid at the back and moved up field on occasions in order to effect attacking options. In all, the Demons did what they had to do in order to win the match.
Wollongong’s plan was based on defence and the team stuck to their guns throughout the course of the match. They defended stubbornly with Karouna Michael and David Polidoro to the fore. The Wolves man of the match, goalkeeper Alogdellis, kept the score down in the match with many fine saves.
The best chance eventuated in the fifty seventh minute when left midfield player David Boscoscuro acutely passed to Dustin Wells. He strode forward, leaving defenders in his wake. As the Demons goalkeeper Ivan Necevski advanced, Wells slotted the ball past him. Disappointingly for Wolves‘ supporters, the ball just rolled past the outside of the far goal post.
The few opportunities that the Wolves had in close proximity to the Demons goal were exemplified by a Steve Hayes shot, which was too high, and a Wells free kick from outside the penalty arc, which flashed over the crossbar.
The team however managed to limit the champions to two goals with their tactics. Until the second goal was scored with fifteen minutes remaining, the team was still capable of scoring an equaliser in the match from a counter attack.
Coach John Turner stated after the match that ‘it was a great performance from a bunch of kids who were playing against a team who had won the championship by nine points. We did not have any strikers. If Adam Casey had played, it might have been a different story. We launched kids today. We were playing defensively. It had to be played that way or they would have killed us. In saying that, Stacy was magnificent. We did not win any points today but won a lot of friends. I’m very happy.’
WOLLONGONG WOLVES……0
BLACKTOWN CITY ………2 Tolgay Ozbey 16’, Roger Galayini 75’
@ WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
WOLLONGONG WOLVES
COACH: John Turner
Line-up: - Stacy Alogdellis, Karouna Michael, David Polidoro, Chris Rigopoulos, Ian Waldon, Dustin Wells, Ballamodou Conde (C), Dean Kerr, David Boscoscuro (Samet Kaynak 87’), Steve Hayes, Wayne Gibson (Ahmed Balawy 86’)
Subs not used: RGK Nathan Denham, James Kerr
BLACKTOWN CITY
COACH: Aytec Genc
Line-up: Ivan Necevski, Paul Karbon ( Roger Gayalini 46’), Bobby Dragas, Tyler Simpson, Damien Foxe (Michael Brown 46’), Mirko Jurilj, Luke Roodenburg, Kain Rastall (Milorad Simonovic 54’), Ante Deur, Ivan Zelic, Tolgay Ozbey.
Subs not used: Matt Nemes, Ben Gough
Referee: S. Przydacz
Assistant Referees: D.Dewhurst, M.Wilson
Fourth Official: G. Ledbeater
Yellow Cards: Wollongong: Chris Rigopoulos 65’,
Blacktown: Ante Deur 66’
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