This is what a fit Peter Simonoski looks like in full flight.
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Flattened by injury in recent seasons, the Wollongong Wolves striker is finally being allowed to show what he can do at his best.
And it couldn’t come at a more important time for the Wolves.
For the second consecutive week, Simonoski inspired his team to three crucial points to keep their finals aspirations in tact.
He scored twice – a week after scoring a brace against Hakoah Sydney City East – to propel Wollongong to a 3-0 victory over rivals Sutherland Sharks at Albert Butler Memorial Park.
“He is a special player,” Wolves coach Jacob Timpano said.
“He has been at this level for a few years now and when he is on the park, that’s what he can do.
“It is just about keeping him fit and hopefully his form can continue for the next three rounds.”
It took just 10 minutes for Simonoski to hit the back of the net for the first time.
Some delightful work from Yuzo Tashiro put Simonoski in on goal, who finished with aplomb.
Eight minutes later he had double his tally and Wollongong’s advantage.
Wolves veteran Steve Hayes picked up the ball in midfielder and found Simonoski with a beautiful long ball which allowed the latter to chip the keeper.
Sutherland worked their way into the match and had their best spell of possession in the lead-up to half time.
A miscued clearance from defender James O’Rourke five minutes before half time struck the crossbar while Pasfield also pulled off a delightful stop to keep the Sharks scoreless.
Pasfield came to the fore again five minutes into the second half to deny Nathan Elasi.
Wollongong got their third in the 57th minute from the penalty spot to put the result to bed.
Darcy Madden was brought down in the box, allowing Tashiro to step up and fire into the bottom corner to seal another home victory for the Wolves.
“It was a fairly dominant performance,” Timpano said.
“Simo had two clinical finishes and then we controlled the match.
“Justin Pasfield made a massive save right on half time and I speak about the big moments in matches, and that was one.
“To go in at 2-1 would have been disappointing. Moments like that win you matches.
“In the end I suppose it was a pretty convincing result.”
With three more points in the bank, Wollongong (31 points) now trail fifth placed Sydney United 58 (33 points) by two points heading into the final three rounds.
They will need United or fourth placed Manly United (36 points) to drop points on the run home to qualify for the top five.
“The way results are going we just have to worry about ourselves and winning the matches in front of us,” Timpano said.
“We achieved that today so now we just have to focus on next week.”
Wollongong play Bonnyrigg White Eagles next Saturday night.