Sydney FC’s first season in the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s came to an end on Sunday against Wollongong Wolves in a 6-1 defeat at WIN Stadium on Sunday.
It was a bittersweet end to the season for the Wolves who narrowly miss out on finals football after Sydney Olympic snatched fifth spot on the ladder with their win against Sutherland Sharks.
For a brief moment in time Wollongong dared to dream of a miraculous finals berth, however it wasn’t to be despite a quality performance from the South Coast side.
The main highlight being a spectacular hat-trick from Patrick Antelmi who was at his deadly best throughout. Brendan Griffin and Steve Hayes also managed to get themselves on the scoresheet.
The visitors only consolation was a memorable goal for Agamemnonos who launched a long-range stunner into the back of the net
It was very apparent from the opening whistle the game would be an open one. The first shot fell to Chris Price who nearly opened the scoring for the hosts with a header.
However, the hosts open attack meant space at the back and Skotadis found himself open in the box only to see a good volley saved.
Shortly after, the floodgates were opened when wolves midfielder Brendan Griffin found himself in possession after some superb team-play before he delivered a cool finish.
Sydney FC weren’t going to let them get too far away though and a wonder strike from young Agamemnonos evened the scores.
Soon after the young Sky Blues were given a harsh reality check when Antelmi wrestled his way into the area before being pulled down. He converted the penalty and the hosts went into the break one goal to the good.
Antelmi’s penalty kicked the Wolves into gear and they began the second half with added fervor. The goals weren’t far away for Wollongong with Hayes getting on the end of a cracking Antelmi through ball to finish.
*Photo by @_FCBaller_
A minute later they hosts scored again with Antelmi producing a solid finish on the turn to extend the lead to three goals.
Wollongong were vulnerable to a counter as John Iredale crafted several good opportunities only to be denied by a stunning Pasfield performance in goals. The highlight being a superb double save on 61 minutes.
Wollongong were rampant in the second stanza with Griffin getting a second with a very decent curling effort after collecting the ball from the left.
Antelmi completed the rout with 5 mins left on the clock with a beautiful flick from a Tanoski cross.
Wolves coach Jacob Timpano was happy with his sides’ performance,
“We wanted to go out on a high and the players produced probably the best performance of the season,” he said.
“The crowd today was outstanding, to draw a few thousand to the game is great, glad we put on a show,”
“It’s a weird feeling, we had a target of making the finals, we did that. Unfortunately, it was taken out of our hands.”
Sydney FC coach Rob Stanton said fatigue got the better of his young squad.
“It could’ve been five or six all, the players had a few in-house games mid-week and it showed,” he said.
“Today we were flat. Yet players like Skotadis and Iredale still stood out.”
Match Stats
Wollongong Wolves FC: 6 (Antelmi 44’ 50’ 85’, Griffin 22’ 77’, Hayes 49’)
Sydney FC: 1 (Agamemnonos 36’)
Sunday 13th August, 2017
Win Stadium, Wollongong
Referee: M.Bailey
Assistant Referees: M. McOrist & N. Wotton
Fourth Official: J. Casey
Wollongong Wolves FC: 1. Justin Pasfield, 3. Darcy Madden, 4. Hayden Morton, 6. Nicholas Montgomery, 7. Christopher Price, 8. Brendan Griffin (21. James Carli 88’), 9. Peter Simonoski, 10. Ethan Kambisios (11. Hristijan Tanoski 85), 15. Michael Robinson, 16. Patrick Antelmi, 30. Yuzo Tashiro (23. Steven Hayes 42’).
Substitutes Not Used: 12. Luke Kaires, 5. Jarrad Wiley.
Yellow Cards:
Red Cards: Madden
Sydney FC: 20. Thomas Heward-Belle, 2. Brendan Curtis, 3. Patrick Flottmann, 4. Alex Gollan, 6. Nicola Kuleski, 8. Juan Zapata (11. Cooper Ceskerie 8’, 9. Marco Tilio 78’), 16. Sam Mcillhatton, 17. John Iredale, 18. Jerry Skotadis, 21. Andreas Agamemnonos, 39. Jack Stewart (14. Daniel Biachura 85’)
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Mitchell Evans, 12. Perry Thomas.
Yellow Cards: Gollan
Red Cards:
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