A second half double from Peter Simonoski kept Wollongong Wolves finals hopes alive in a vital come from behind 2-1 victory over Hakoah Sydney City East on Saturday night.
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Simonoski was at his clinical best as he finished expertly twice in 19 minutes to propel the visitors to a important win at Hensley Athletic Field. The triumph keeps Wollongong just one win outside the top five, but the former NSL club will need results to go there way over the final four rounds to make the finals.
“For us it is all just week to week,” Wolves coach Jacob Timpano said.
“This week the boys showed great character when they could have otherwise thrown in the towel after being 1-0 down. The boys dug deep when we only had a starting eleven of regular first graders, with mainly youth grade guys on the bench.”
Wollongong were a goal down in the 20th minute when Dean Bereveskos fired from distance. It was against the run of play as Yuzo Tashiro rattled the woodwork twice in the opening half.
The Japanese star’s strike partner would finally breach Hakoah in the 60th minute. Simonoski finished off expertly from a tight angle before he nutmegged goalkeeper Anthony Bouzanis for the second.
“Peter took both his goals well but it was a great team effort across the park,” Timpano said.
“We probably didn’t deserve to be a goal down at half time because we had played quite well. The game opened up in the second half when we were chasing the game. We both had opportunities but Pete took his.”
