WOLLONGONG Wolves coach Luke Wilkshire has sent a warning to his team's NSW National Premier Leagues rivals, declaring the Wolves can be even better after a 4-1 dismantling of APIA Leichhardt on Friday night.
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The Wolves, headlined by Milton-Ulladulla's Chris Price, were in control for the majority of the contest, however a lapse in concentration late in the first half saw the teams head to the break locked at 1-all.
The match was delicately poised midway through the second stanza, before Bul Juach broke the deadlock in the 61st minute and it was all Wollongong from there.
The win carried extra meaning, given it was APIA Leichhardt who claimed the 2019 NPL championship, denying the Wolves a premiership-championship double.
While pleased to secure three points on the road, Wilkshire warned rival teams his side has considerable improvement to come.
"It was an important victory, but it should've been more," Wilkshire said.
"I didn't go into halftime happy. We dominated the first half, had numerous chances to go further in front, then the last eight minutes we got sloppy and let them back in the game.
"I asked for 45 minutes of full concentration, not 37 minutes, we got that in the second half and you saw what we can do.
"I don't demand anything that these boys can't do. I know the players we have, they're working hard, they're improving and getting better. The players that were here last year are better, but we still need to keep improving."
Lachlan Scott and Juach each scored doubles on Friday night, the pair producing some outstanding strikes to find the back of the net at Lambert Park.
The win came on the back of last week's 1-nil victory over Mt Druitt, a match in which the Wolves struggled to convert their chances.
That trend continued against APIA Leichhardt, with the side unable to capitalise on the easier opportunities in front of goal.
Wilkshire said his players know they must start to take advantage of the goal scoring chances presented to them.
"I look back at the last two games and we missed chances when we needed to be ruthless.
"I know the quality these boys possess, which is why we demand more from them and there's definitely more to come from them.
"It would be a problem if we were not creating chances.
"We're creating them and we have the quality to finish them, we need to start doing it more regularly."
In positive news for the Wolves, the side came out of the match unscathed.
While a number of players remain on the sidelines, the troops are edging their way back to full health.
Brendan Griffin and Nikola Djordjevic should return to training this week, though both are unlikely to be available for Sunday's clash with Marconi at Albert Butler Park.