Experienced Manly take the points in Wollongong
Manly United has made it two wins on the trot with a 2-0 victory against Wollongong Wolves in its PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s clash at Win Stadium on Sunday.
Goals to Dejan Pandurevic and Dom Ferguson were the difference as Manly were able to edge out a spirited Wollongong outfit on its own turf.
The win lifts Manly to fourth spot on the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition ladder while the Wolves drop to ninth spot.
It was a game of cat and mouse in midfield during the early stages of the Win Stadium clash.
Brendan Cholakian’s 12th minute shot from outside the box was the first real chance of the game but Wolves’ shot stopper Justin Pasfield had it covered.
The Wolves first chance of the game came three minutes later when Brett Wilson headed over the bar.
Wilson perhaps should have given the home side the lead in the 20th minute but for brave keeping from Manly goalkeeper Dylan Mitchell who smothered the winger’s attempt on goal.
Dom Ferguson clanged a shot off the woodwork in the 24th as Manly slowly took hold of the match.
The Wollongong ‘keeper almost gifted Manly the lead when Travis Cooper centred from the right and the shot stopper fumbled the first attempt back toward his goal-line. Fortunately Pasfield reacted quickly enough to grasp the ball at the second attempt.
Just when both sides were consigned to a scoreless first half, Manly striker Pandurevic struck.
Pandurevic curled a powerful shot from the edge of the box on the 45 minute mark which beat the outstretched arms of Pasfield to give Manly a 1-0 lead at the interval.
Wollongong found themselves being pushed deeper early in the second half but were quick to counter with a mixture of steely defence and quick transition.
Pandurevic saw his dipping shot from 30-yards skim past the post in the 54th minute as Manly surged forward in numbers.
Cholakian displayed his silky dribbling skills when he weaved his way through the Wolves defence before he scuffing his shot in what was easily Manly’s best move of the match.
It should have been 2-0 to Manly mid-way through the second stanza when Cooper out paced Wolves’ skipper Chris Price on the right and put in a cross into a crowded penalty area. A swarm of players dived in and the ball deflected up and over the crossbar.
Wollongong rallied and created several half-chances but lacked the clinical touch in front of goal to cut into Manly’s lead.
In the 82nd minute Manly wrapped up the win.
Ferguson pounced on the rebound to hammer home after Adam Parkhouse’s shot ricocheted off the upright.
It was scant justice for the home side who turned in a good performance.
Manly played out the final minutes by running down the clock.
Paul Dee was a happy United coach after the final whistle.
“I felt we deserved to lead at the break after all the chances we had created.”
“Although it was good to go to the dressing room ahead it was disappointing it took so long to find the net.
“The win will make the trip back up the motorway a little happier and we move on to the next game with the hope of continuing the good work we displayed today.
Wolves supremo Jake Timpano was proud of his side’s play despite the loss.
“The goal we conceded before half time was mostly due to inexperience. It probably killed us but we have to be proud of the way the boys played,” he said.
“We had 12 fresh kids out there and they’ll learn from this. Overall I’m not so much disappointed with the effort as I am with the result.”
Match Stats
Wollongong Wolves 0
Manly United 2 (Pandurevic 45’, Ferguson 82’)
Sunday, April 17 2016
WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Referee: Michael Weiner
Assistant Referees: Nick Backo & Ray Osbourne
Fourth Official: Brandon Lovric
Wollongong Wolves: 1. PASFIELD Justin, 2. KAWASE Kota, 3. MADDEN Darcy, 5.BALDACCHINO James, 6. MACKENZIE Zac, 7. PRICE Chris ©, 10. STOJIC David (14. LOMBO Jack 81’), 11. WILSON Brett (15. LAZAREVSKI Danny 76’), 16. ZUCCO Ben, 18. BERNAL Nicolas (17. ZUCCO Ricky 64’), 23. MATTHEWS Sam
Substitutes Not Used: 12. COLLISON Daniel, 19. MCGINN Blake
Yellow Cards: Madden 34’, Baldacchino 45+1’ B.Zucco 60’, Mackenzie 68’
Red Cards:
Manly United: 1. MITCHELL Dylan, 2.PAULL Kieran, 3. LOBB Jamie, 4. OUGHTRED Travis, 5. WILLIAMS Rhys, 6. GALLAGHER Sam, 7. COOPER Travis, 8. FERGUSON Dom, 10. CHOLAKIAN Brendan © (18. BRAGG Daniel 90+2’), 11. PARKHOUSE Adam (16. BERTI Sipan 90’), 14. PANDUREVIC Dejan
Substitutes Not Used: 20. SYRON Mackenzie, 24. HANCOCK Aiden, 31. WHITLOCK Dylan
Yellow Cards: Cholakian 45+1’,
Red Cards:
Player Ratings
3 – Sam GALLAGHER MU
2 – Dejan PANDUREVIC MU
1 – Justing PASFIELD WW
-By PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Micky Brock
