Soccer: Weary Kingz well beaten by Wolves

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The Wollongong Wolves have made their mark by scoring goals in the opening minutes of their National Soccer League games this season.

Last night against the Football Kingz at home they were denied their trademark early goals - 14 scored in the opening 15 minutes of their first 24 matches - but performed that trick in the second spell when, after going in a goal down at halftime, they scored three unanswered goals in the first 15 minutes of the second spell.

They went on to win 5-1 and keep their unbeaten record in four matches against the Auckland-based side intact. Again the Kingz found themselves on the end of some doubtful refereeing with Che Bunce sent off in the 67th minute for a second yellow card in what appeared an innocuous challenge.

The visitors weathered early pressure from Wollongong who had a couple of good chances from Nick Petrovski. The first was saved by Michael Utting, the second fired wide.

On the half hour, after slowly playing their way back into the game, the Kingz went ahead. A long-range Lee Jones freekick beat the goalkeeper, hit the post and rebounded back across the face of the goal giving Bunce the simplest task to tap home his second goal of the season.

Just before halftime the visitors should have gone 2-0 ahead but Ivan Vicelich's shot was blocked for a corner. The Kingz, appearing more than a trifle travel-weary, were hit hard in the opening minutes of the second half.

Dino Mennillo needed just two minutes to grab the equaliser; Paul Reid gave the home side the lead for the first time, and Matt Horsley capitalised on a shocking Lee Jones back pass to grab their third.

Stuart Young netted his fifth against the Kingz this season before substitute Ben Blake headed home the final goal.