In light of the highly anticipated BPL season finally kicking-off this weekend, we briefly look at what we can expect from this truly unique season and consider the position each team finds themselves in as we await the glorious sounding of the whistle this Sunday. The 2020 BPL season will welcome Woy Woy and Umina after the team was promoted from Division One in the 2019 season, while Toukley and Gosford will drop down into Division One. In BPL style, 12 teams will battle it out for the cup yet, over a smaller, 16-round competition season and shortened final series after what has been an incredibly strange and trying start to the year.
Avoca FC:
Avoca Football Club secured another seventh place finish in 2019 for a second consecutive year, despite impressive displays, especially early on in the season. With an aim to improve on their previous performances in sight, talented Avoca FC players the likes of Stuart Adams will return in an effort to bring it home for the Sharks. A presence in the final series will likely be their 2020 competition goal with the memorable 7-5 victory over Wyoming in round fifteen a snippet of what they can achieve.
Berkeley Vale Soccer Club:
Berkeley Vale will strive to more effectively execute their game after finishing sixth in 2019. They’ve appeared in multiple grand finals in past BPL competitions which proves they have the legs to go all the way. Their blip of 8 losses amid 11 wins in the previous season does not account for the strength of this side as they will attempt to prove over the course of the 2020 season.
East Gosford FC:
The Rams will be pushing towards a final series attendance in 2020 after falling to ninth place in 2019. A disappointing result meant that the Rams walked away from last season with only 4 wins throughout the competition. However, Rams have a way of surprising teams and with club favourites like Robbie Walton returning, East Gosford are always in for a serious crack at the title.
Kanwal Warnervale Rovers FC:
After conceding 13 games over the course of the previous season, Kanwal will be looking to improve on their execution after falling from fifth in 2018 to eighth place in 2019. The Rovers have managed to rally a relatively unchanging squad who will be coached by former captain, Ryan Walker in his first year in the position, in the hope to lead the boys to victory and make a run into the later rounds of the BPL finals series. This Sunday, Kanwal will kick into gear with a local derby against Woongarrah FC as their first game of the season.
Killarney District FC:
The reigning champions undoubtedly have their eyes on a fifth consecutive championship as they prepare to take on the 2020 BPL competition, starting off against Umina. Their amazing 2019 Grand Final display saw them equalise after losing 2-0, to then defeat Woongarrah FC in the 93rd minute. The Terriers will hold on to a familiar squad which history shows to be working for them, and Chris Ackerley will coach the team that all other teams are hungry to beat.
Southern & Ettalong United FC:
Southern & Ettalong United did exceptionally well to lose out by only 1 goal against 2019 league champions Killarney District in the Preliminary Finals of the competition. They have made their desire to improve and follow through in each game visible and they will work to continue an upwards trend to pave the way for a grand final bout in the 2020 competition. Striker and legend Keith Gumbs will be on the BPL scene once again, as the 47-year-old will help to boost the club to the latter end of the season.
Terrigal United:
Terrigal United demonstrated a strong side against the other BPL teams after some striking displays and an impressive start to the 2019 season, before slipping down in goal scoring, and then coming back with a bang in the eighteenth round winning 4-3 against Killarney District, the eventual league champions. The team often shows smarts and a good command of the game to take on the other teams in the league, however, they will need that extra focus to make up for some key players that have moved on from Terrigal’s BPL squad this year.
The Entrance Bateau Bay FC:
The Entrance will be looking to return to the BPL competition better than before after a tenth place finish in the 2019 campaign and missing relegation by a hair. The Blunden brothers will make their return this year as they hope to fend off the teams that threaten their chances of performing in the business end of the season. The push for a Grand Final appearance is on for The Entrance Bateau Bay FC.
Umina United FC:
The Eagles will have another chance to show off their skills after coming back from relegation this year. Umina are a very strong side and will have to work even harder to both sustain and prove their place as worthy BPL competitors in the 2020 season. Coach, Steven Frame, will unquestionably focus on the team’s consistency as he aims to lead the boys to triumph at the heated end of the season.
Woongarrah FC:
After their BPL debut in 2019, Woongarrah have made it known to all the other teams that they are here to stay. Woongarrah’s impressive run of games saw them through to the 2019 Grand Final where they missed out on the title after starting with the upper hand on Killarney with 2-0, to then concede three successive points. It was a tremendous effort made by Luke Rogers’ squad last year and they’re back to assert their position in the competition, gain points and redeem themselves from their 2019 Grand Final loss. And as the clever Matt Johnson moves to play in the Newcastle League this year, it will take work for the team to fill the void.
Woy Woy FC:
Woy Woy will join the BPL competition this year following on from what was an incredible performance in the Division One 2019 competition where they lead by a commendable 34 points and only conceded 4 games throughout the entire season. Through their noticeable talent and promise, Woy Woy might have exactly what it takes to make a run into the BPL final series.
Wyoming FC:
Wyoming did immensely well to finish in fourth place in their first BPL competition season and are looking to continue this streak of what appears to be a remarkable effort as a competitive side. They will face off The Entrance Bateau Bay FC for what will be an interesting first round fixture, before playing East Gosford in the following week. Their hunger for a place in the finals was made evident in the previous season and the same passion will help drive them through the new season.
All BPL games are this Sunday 05/07/2020 and kick-off is at 2.45 pm
Fixtures are as follows:
- Woy Woy FC vs Gosford City FC at Austin Butler Oval
- The Entrance Bateau Bay FC vs Wyoming FC at Pat Morley Oval
- Southern & Ettalong United FC vs Terrigal United at James Browne Oval
- Woongarrah Wildcats FC vs Kanwal Warnervale Rovers FC at Pluim Park
- Killarney District Soccer Club vs Umina United Soccer Club at Edsaac North Field
- Avoca FC vs Berkeley Vale at Erina High School