Picciolini shines on South Coast

The versatile attacker netted a first-half brace in their round 9 defeat to Sydney Olympic at Belmore Sports Ground, taking his tally to 5 goals from 7 appearances this season.
In the bittersweet nature of his goal scoring feat, 23-year-old Picciolini was more concerned with the overall performance of the squad rather his own individual achievements.
 ?The first 20 killed us,? said Picciolini.
?We didn?t play our game at the start, were sluggish all across the park, and kept giving the ball away.?
?They came at us really hard; we fought back to 2-all once we started playing our game but the first 20 kept us behind for the whole game.?
Having also netted a double at Bankstown City and a single goal in Wolves? home defeat to Rockdale City Suns, Picciolini has excelled himself into contention for the Golden Boot.
Despite Sydney United?s Elsid Barkhousir leading the charge with 10 goals, Picciolini?s recent accomplishments have him chasing the coveted prize.
 ?When I first started I wasn?t really thinking about it,? said Picciolini.
?After the last couple of games I got a couple of goals which has got me eyeing it.?
?It is definitely one of my goals ? any striker would want to get the Golden Boot.?
Coach Trevor Morgan plucked Picciolini from the ranks at Port Kembla from the Illawarra Premier League as he assembled a fresh squad for the revamped South Coast club.
After a disappointing appearance in Round 1 which culminated in a straight red card, Picciolini has since returned to cement his position in Morgan?s starting lineup and appears to be enjoying life at his new club.
?I?ve settled in pretty well actually,? said Picciolini.
?It?s obviously very different but I am starting to get used to it all and am quickly learning how to play in this league.?
?It?s good ? I?m loving it.?
Aside from aiding Picciolini?s smooth transition into the NSW Premier League, Morgan has also breathed new life into the Wolves after their disastrous 2009 campaign saw them finish last with a disappointing 5 points from 22 rounds.
As part of the squad that eclipsed their 2009 points total after 7 rounds, Picciolini attributed their success to Morgan?s vision for his squad.
?Trevor is one of the best coaches I?ve ever had,? said Picciolini.
?He?s very smart tactical-wise and is basically spot-on with everything he says.?
?He wants us to play a smart passing game to get the ball moving; where the Wolves in the past hadn?t been playing direct.?
?This has made us improve as a team; he?s doing a great job with us,? added Picciolini.
Mark Picciolini and South Coast Wolves face West Sydney Berries in Round 9 on Sunday at 3pm, Sydney Olympic Athletic Centre.
– By Michael Shoolman