The Wollongong Wolves have suffered a reality check after falling 3-0 to Mt Druitt on Saturday night.
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Luke Wilkshire's men had entered the NSW Men's NPL game full of confidence after remaining unbeaten in the past month, but a Jack Stewart brace helped clinch victory for the hosts at Popondetta Park.
After a competitive opening half, the scored remained 0-0 at the break. But the turning point came in the 46th minute, when Lachlan Scott's penalty shot was blocked by Rangers gloveman Carlos Saliadarre.
Fifteen minutes later, Mt Druitt had their first goal through Stewart. He then doubled the Rangers' advantage in the 66th minute before Fumoto Kamada's late goal rounded out the win.
"We're naturally disappointed, but there wasn't a lot in the game. Goals change games and the missed penalty then conceding a poor first goal from a long ball, not dealing with it, puts you on the back foot away from home. And we couldn't get back in the game," coach Wilkshire said.
"We were comfortable until their goal and it's disappointing to concede a goal like that. Not long after missing a penalty, it was a blow in itself and changed the momentum of the game."
Wilkshire said he wasn't sure how many positives emerged from the game.
"It's tough when you travel up there on a Saturday night with nothing but three goals against," he said.
"But we'll have a look and reflect. But it's important now to move forward, we've got a big game at home against Sydney Olympic next weekend."
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