Manly defeated by rampant Wolves
By Chris Curulli
Manly United started brightly but were ultimately overcome in a 5-2 defeat to Wollongong Wolves at Albert Butler Park on Sunday afternoon.
The sides were split by Marcus Beattie who registered a hat-trick for Luke Wilkshire’s premiership-pursuing Wolves.
The attacker opened the scoring after just five minutes as he was slipped in behind by Takeru Okada.
In the 22nd minute Manly drew level as Scott Balderson, who returned to the starting lineup after playing off the bench for a few weeks, found himself in behind and squeezed home a smart left-footed finish at the near post.
The sides would go in level at the break before Beattie found his second with a 48th minute tap-in.
But just four minutes later, Manly restored parity again as Richie Cardozo capitalised on a defensive slip-up from Nick Littler, squaring the ball for Dejan Pandurevic to power home his second goal in as many weeks.
However Adam Griffiths’ side were unable to hold onto their lead as Josh Bingham made it 3-2, cleverly teed up by Okada again.
In the 77th minute Englishman Thomas James forced a save out of Sam Benton, but the rebound fell only as far as Beattie who tapped in his third of the afternoon.
With five minutes remaining Wollongong made it five as Kieren Paull was penalised for a challenge on Harry Callahan in the area, and Bingham made no mistake from the penalty spot.
Reflecting post-game, Manly’s opening goalscorer Scott Balderson was pleased with elements of his side’s performance.
“Having not started the last few games it was good to get on the field and give the lads a hand in trying to get a result against a very decent team in our league,” he said.
“I thought we played very well in parts of the game and definitely matched them, but I think a bit of experience in certain areas got them over the line.
“It was 2-2 up until around the 70th minute and they were playing for the league title, so it was always going to be tough, but the lads really put in a good shift in tough conditions.”
Balderson hopes Manly will step things up next year during their first full campaign under Adam Griffiths.
“It’s been an up and down season, but we have really showcased to everyone as a squad what we are capable of when we play the way the we know we can,” he reflected.
“Injuries and less personnel in areas have definitely made it tough for the boys. However it’s given the coaching staff a chance to play some younger boys who are going to need the experience heading into next season for when they are called upon.
“I think this 11-game season was a perfect platform for the club and Adam Griffiths to lay some good foundations and get a real indication as to where the team is at.
“It’s given the coaches a chance to really work out where we need to strengthen and what needs to be worked on.
“The league is only getting better and will be even bigger next year. We don’t want to be a team that’s just happy to come 8th every season, we want to replicate what we did in 2017 and challenge for the top and win silverware.”
