Levi Sciuriaga Equaliser Not Enough to Hold Off Wolves

Wollongong Wolves edged out Sutherland Sharks 2-1 on Wednesday night at Albert Butler Memorial Park to continue their hot streak in the NPL Men’s NSW.

Jake Trew put Wollongong in front just after the half-hour mark before Levi Sciuriaga equalised not long after halftime.

Trew scored his second on the hour mark to make it three goals in his last two matches.

Wollongong looked to dominate proceedings early on with a high press and holding most of the possession. But the Sharks repelled this with a compact defensive shape, and around 15 minutes in, they took back control of the ball.

This resulted in a chance for the visitors in the 17th minute. Samuel Gulisano received the ball centrally outside the box and lined up a powerful shot that Wollongong goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic caught.

Wollongong had their first shot on target six minutes later. Trew was denied from a tight angle inside the left of the box by Nenad Vekic in the Sutherland goal.

Neither side was giving the other much room in the game as both remained defensively sound.

However, in the 32nd minute, a moment of magic from Trew broke with deadlock. The ball dropped to the forward on the edge of the box, where he took on a snap left-footed volley that looped into the top left corner.

Wollongong took their lead into halftime, seeking three wins in a row in the NPL Men’s NSW.

The Wolves came out for the second half with some good purpose with a second goal in the game likely to put them in a commanding position to see out the result.

After this spirited start and just six minutes in the second half, though, the Sharks equalised. Matthew Jackson’s original shot in the box was saved, but the rebound fell to Sciuriaga, who blasted the ball home.

Sutherland had another opportunity in the 59th minute as Maxx Green’s shot from the edge of the area spun into Janjetovic’s gloves.

Despite a resurgent spell from the Sharks, the hosts restored their lead moments later. Alex Masciovecchio whipped in a low delivery from the right that Trew guided home from close range past Vekic.

Sciuriaga had been one of Sutherland’s most dangerous players throughout the game, picking out scoring positions when the side sprung forward. The youngster found himself running in behind down the right channel one-on-one with Janjetovic in the 68th minute. However, he fired a high shot that cleared the bar.

The Sharks threatened again soon after. An error at the back from the Wolves got Jay McGowan a chance to shoot from the left of the box – saved by Janjetovic. Green reacted fastest on the follow-up but Janjetovic batted the ball away again.

Sutherland’s late surges forward failed to trouble Wollongong, who kept their shape and took the three points.

Wolves coach David Carney said that while he was pleased with the win, he wanted his players to take more of the chances created and make games more comfortable.

“The performance was there on the weekend [against St George City], but I think today was a little bit sloppy in ways,” he said.

“First half was decent when we scored. We need to be a bit more clinical up top if we want to make games a little bit easier.

“Overall, I’m with the three points.”

Carney also said that he hopes the goals will continue to flow for Trew after his match-winning brace.

“He’s a confidence player,” Carney said.

“When you score you relax a little bit more and then the goals will come.

“Hopefully there are many more to come.”

Match Stats

Wollongong Wolves FC 2 (Jake Trew 32’ 60’)

Sutherland Sharks FC 1 (Levi Sciuriaga 51’)

Wednesday 12 June 2024

Albert Butler Memorial Park, Primbee

Referee: Brodie Merchant

Assistant Referees: Hayden Kaye and Damien Delovski

Fourth Official: Reece Edwards

Wollongong Wolves FC: 20. Vedran Janjetovic, 2. Harrison Buesnel, 4. Dylan Ryan, 5. Banri Kanaizumi, 7. Takumi Ofuka, 8. Andre Takami, 9. Jake Trew (11. Sebastian Hernandez 81’), 10. Yagoub Mustafa, 24. Lachlan Scott (6. Samuel Riak 90+1’), 25. Alex Masciovecchio (27. Damsssson Gray 81’), 88. Christopher McStay

Substitutes Not Used: 3. Darcy Madden, 13. Oliver Yates, 15. Dax Kelly

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil

Sutherland Sharks FC: 1. Nenad Vekic, 2. Kotaro Katsuta, 4. Mitchell Stamatellis, 6. Samuel Gulisano (9. Maxx Green 46’), 8. Mohamed Ahmed (3. Jordan Roberts 77’, 11. Jay McGowan (7. James Cakovski 77’), 14. Chris Lindsay, 23. Ethan Beaven, 26. Jacob Garner, 27. Matthew Jackson (66. Alexander Tajanoski 87’), 77. Levi Sciuriaga (43. Ikko Ehode Arimoto 87’)

Substitutes Not Used: 30. Nathan Denham

Yellow Cards: Ethan Beaven 21’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings: 

3 – Jake Trew (WW)

2 – Andre Takami (WW)

1 – Levi Sciuriaga (SS)

Report by Tim Gibson, on Twitter @Timg123_