Sydney United scrape win against Wolves
After an entertaining, yet goalless, first-half, Ante Tomic scored the only goal of the match 7? minutes into the second period to ensure United maintained their grip on third place, leaving the unfortunate Wolves lingering in tenth position.
Despite the wet and blustery conditions on the South Coast, both teams produced quality football throughout the 90? minutes in a match that in truth could have gone either way.
The first chance of the match came after 5? minutes when Andrew Paine, a late inclusion to the starting line up after Tynan Diaz aggravated an ankle injury in warm up, found space 20-yards from goal.
The winger?s powerful shot was too strong for Janjetovic to hold, but the United custodian was able to tip the ball wide to deny Wolves an early lead.
United had a goal disallowed after a quarter of an hour when Damon Collina?s cross was turned in by Steven Hayes, who had strayed into an offside position.
Vedran Janjetovic was called into action 5? minutes later; reacting sharply to get a hand to Tayfun Buyokkopru?s deceiving goal-bound free kick.
The wet conditions played its role in the match, twice forcing the ball to skid away from Mark Picciolini after Lisandro Berbis and Tayfun Buyokkopru had both appeared to have put the striker in the clear. Janjetovic was on hand to intercept both opportunities to deny Picciolini on both occasions.
Mirjan Pavlovic, who proved a constant threat to the Wolves? youthful backline, used his pace to burst past the off-balance Nick Littler on 37? minutes only to be denied by Brody Crane who bravely challenged the striker at his feet to claim the ball.
Littler made amends for his error 2? minutes later as he slid in to deny Hayes a golden opportunity in the box. Hayes recovered to lay the ball off for Tomic, who rushed his shot and fired well over the crossbar.
The Wolves should have grabbed the opener early in the second-half after Jacob Timpano?s defensive error put Picciolini through on goal; however the striker let United off the hook with a weak finish that was held by Janjetovic.
Luka Glavas created a great chance on 51? minutes for the visitors as he teed up Pavlovic for a powerful shot from edge of box. The shot was spilt by Crane and cleared by Nick McInerney to deny the onrushing Hayes.
United broke the deadlock 1? minute later when Pavlovic?s shot deflected to the unmarked Ante Tomic, who volleyed across Crane and inside the far post to open the scoring and send the partisan travelling supporters into raptures.
The Wolves were unlucky not to find an equaliser on 74? minutes when Jason Trifiro?s short free-kick allowed Berbis space to line up a thunderous drive toward goal. The shot hit the United wall, deflecting inches wide of the post with Janjetovic stranded.
Andres Gomez should have levelled the scores for Wolves 10? minutes from time, but scuffed his shot wide of goal from Andrew Keep?s smart low cross.
The home-side pressed forward for that elusive goal, but failed to produce a shot on goal in the closing stages as United held on for the single-goal victory after what was a very tight affair.
Wolves? coach Trevor Morgan was obviously disappointed with the narrow victory, believing his team deserved more from the match:
?I?m very, very frustrated by the result, and I don?t believe Sydney United deserved to win,? said Morgan.
?It was a tremendously improved effort from last week. We were always in the game, and always a chance of winning the game.?
?I think we made enough chances to at least get a point, if not win it,? Morgan added.
Sydney United defender Jacob Timpano was happy to come away with the three points in his second match for his new club after signing from North Queensland Fury:
?It was a good result in tough conditions,? said Timpano.
?To get away with a win is what we wanted from today.?
Timpano is enjoying his start at United after quickly setting into his new role after his return from Townsville:
?I feel like I?ve been here all season,? said Timpano.
?They?re a good bunch of boys, so it?s been a really easy transition,? Timpano concluded.
Match Stats
South Coast Wolves 0
Sydney United 1 (Ante Tomic 52?)
Sunday, June 6th, 2010
WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Referee: Peter Vtrovski
Assistant Referees: Allyson Flynn and Brett Woodford
Crowd: 500 Approx.
South Coast Wolves: 1.Brody Crane; 2.Alex Mansueto, 4.Nick Littler, 5.Nick McInerney (14.Andres Gomez 60?), 15.Chris Nathaniel, 6.Lisandro Berbis, 8.Tayfun Buyukkopru, 9.Mark Picciolini (7.Andrew Keep 72?), 10.Jason Trifiro, 11.Andrew Paine, 13.Sean van Rooyen,
Substitutes Not Used: 22.Hayden Durose, 17.Tynan Diaz, 3.Greg Valic
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Sydney United: 1.Vedran Janjetovic; 5.Damon Collina, 12.Jacob Timpano, 14.Peter Markovic (11.Luka Glavas 46?), 23.Ivo Bosnar, 22.Peter Zorbas (21.Sean Mitchell 80?), 10.Steve Hayes, 4.Michael Cindric, 19.Mitchell Thompson, 25.Mirjan Pavlovic, 32.Ante Tomic (7.Todd Brodie 78?)
Substitutes Not Used: 42.Steven Veleski, 30.Ryan Norval
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
-By Michael Shoolman
