The Wolves struggled throughout the first half as they battled heavy rain and an enthusiastic Sydney FC team, however they were able to flex their muscle in a dominant second half.

While pleased with the end result, Wollongong coach Luke WIlkshire said the first half was not up to scratch.

"The first half I definitely wasn't happy with," Wilkshire said. "I think it was the worst half of football that we've played.

"Credit to Sydney, they were organised defensively and did well in the first half. But the standards that we have, we weren't up to them in the first half."

"Our second half was much better. We had a little bit more intensity, a little bit more drive and quality. So I'm happy with the second half and the three points."

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Despite the slow start, the Wolves opened the scoring through the head of Thomas James in the 36^th minute.

Goals to Takeru Okada and Lachlan Scott followed, the latter coming off a missed James penalty, before James closed out the scoring with another superb header in the 84^th minute.

Despite the brace, Wilkshire is looking for James to be even better over the final seven weeks of the season.

"He scored two with his head, which is good, it's something different.

"I think he can play better. It definitely wasn't his best game but he scored two goals, we've got a clean sheet and the three points in the bag."

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