BY ADAM BLUNDEN
ROUND 15 | 11th OCTOBER
FIRST GRADE SCORES –
| Southern & Ettalong | 1 | Umina | 2 |
| Killarney District | 11 | Woy Woy | 0 |
| Kanwal | 1 | Wyoming | 2 |
| The Entrance | 2 | Terrigal | 0 |
| Woongarrah | 5 | East Gosford | 2 |
| Berkeley Vale | 0 | Avoca | 1 |
SOUTHERN & ETTALONG UNITED FC 1 – UMINA UNITED FC 2
Peninsular derby this weekend saw Southern & Ettalong host their rivals Umina at James Browne oval. Once again, this match proved that whenever the local derby between the two sides are played it doesn’t matter where they are positioned on the competition table it comes down to who wants it more on the day. The first half saw chances from both teams, but it would be Josh Schumann who would open the scoring when he struck a shot from 12 out to take his team into the half with a deserved 1-0 lead after having the better of the play. The start of the second half saw southern come out a lot quicker trying to level the lead but Umina’s defence would hold strong. Umina’s goalkeeper Kyle Lawther provided an assist for his sides second goal after a drop kick over the top of the opposition defence saw Josh Schumann get his second goal of the day. Being 2-0 down, Southern & Ettalong decided to push players up the field in hopes of getting a goal of their own. Josh Fletcher would be the one to get southern back into the game after his goal saw the score line change to 2-1. Umina’s Brandon Stokes was given his second yellow card with 15 minutes to go, being a man down Umina help on courageously and a near faultless display from Kyle Lawther saw his side come out victories over their rivals. That loss for Southern & Ettalong sees them drop out of the top 4 and will have to win in the final round next week against Terrigal to have any hope of making finals.
KILLARNEY DISTRICT SC 11 – WOY WOY FC 0
Woy Woy entered this weekend on a 2-game winning streak, their biggest streak of the year whilst their opponents Killarney drop points to East Gosford the previous week in a 3-3 draw. Killarney District headed into the game against Woy Woy sitting on equal points with 1st place but due to a significantly lower goal difference they would be 2nd. A very dominant display from the raining premiers saw them head into half time 6 goals up thanks to a first half hattrick from Brendan Hall. John Whelpdale, Bryce Fielder and Andy Klijn also found their names on the scoresheet heading into the break. Unfortunately for Woy Woy, the second half saw much of the same as the first as Andy Klijn opened the second half scoring with his second of the game. Daniel Rodger was next on the score sheet as he picked up his first goal of the game. Tim Knight and Jayden Radford would both find the back of the net to put their team 10-0 up. Daniel Rodger’s second goal would seal the game for Killarney and take them to outright 1st place with a very dominant 11-0 win. Full credit to the Woy Woy goalkeeper who despite conceding multiple goals had a great match for his side. Killarney only need a single point in first grade next week against Wyoming, to be crowned the Battlewin League Champions for a historic 5 years in a row. Woy Woy finish their year against East Gosford as they look to avoid relegation and solidify their spot in the 2021 BPL season.
KANWAL WARNERVALE ROVERS FC 1 – WYOMING TIGERS FC 2
Wyoming travelled to Wadalba Complex this weekend as they took on Kanwal in a very important clash for both sides. Wyoming came into the game on a 3-game draw streak, having failed to pick up a win since round 11. Kanwal looked to turn things around from the previous week as they lost all 3 grades to Woy Woy. Fielding 6 under 21 players in their starting team, Wyoming slowly built into the game. Once Wyoming took control, they dominated the game and played great football but struggled to capitalize on chances which has seemed to be the story of their season. Wyoming coach Ian McAndrew would open the scoring with a free kick that found the back of the net and took his side 1-0 up. It would not take long for Kanwal to respond as Ryan Oehm got his side back level from a corner. The game looked to be heading to a 1-1 draw until Wyoming where awarded another promising chance from a set piece. Once again it would be Coach Ian “Beckham” McAndrew who would step up and deliver for his side with another free kick that he slotted into the top corner to make it 2-1. The last 10 minutes saw Kanwal push hard but they could not find the equaliser with Wyoming goalkeeper Tom Coventry pulling of a few great saves to deny Kanwal. The game finished 2-1 which sees Wyoming only 1 point out of the top 4. Kanwal end their season next week with a match up against their rivals Woongarrah while Wyoming look to creep into the top 4 as they face Killarney.
THE ENTRANCE FC 2 – TERRIGAL UNITED FC 0
Terrigal United bounced back to winning ways last weekend after their first loss of the year against Berkeley Vale in round 13. They came into the match sitting in 1st place and with a 2-0 win against Avoca the previous round. The Entrance looked to get out of their slump against Terrigal, as they had failed to pick up a win since round 10 of competition. When theses 2 sides met earlier in the year it would be Terrigal who came out with the 3 points after a very dominant 3-0 win. Terrigal started the game the better of the two sides and where unlucky not to open the scoring as Trent Vegter rattled the bar from distance and Dan Tuddenham also missed a close ranged header. The Entrance started to dominate possession, a great through ball from Jameson Flynn released Josh Swadling through 1 on 1 with the goalkeeper who he calmly slotted the ball past to take The Entrance 1-0 up at half time. The start of the second half saw Terrigal continue to struggle to get going, a hand ball in the box from Terrigal’s defence saw The Entrance handed a golden opportunity to take the lead to 2. It would be Josh Swadling who would once again step up and score as he put the ball into the opposition direction of Terrigal’s goalie. Terrigal fought hard to try and get themselves back into the game and where unlucky not to score from deadly throw-ins courtesy of the captain Jai McNamara. The Entrance defence stood strong as they took the 3 points from Terrigal and return to 4th spot on the ladder. That loss for Terrigal sees them drop to 2nd place and 3 points behind first. Terrigal will look to go equal with league leaders killarney next week as they take on Southern & Ettalong. The Entrance face Avoca away as they look to maintain their 4th place spot and play finals football.
WOONGARRAH WILDCATS FC 5 – EAST GOSFORD RAMS FC 2
Woongarrah hosted East Gosford this weekend at Hamlyn Terrace. East Gosford entered the match full of confidence having not lost a game since round 10 while Woongarrah came into the game not having won a game since round 11. When these two sides met earlier in the year it was Woongarrah who came out on top as they won 4-2. The first 10 minutes was an even affair played between both boxes. A great through ball for Kane Woolston saw him take his opportunity and put his side 1-0 up. Woongarrah’s lead would not last long as Jamie Kabbout got one back for his East Gosford side almost instantly. The goals would not be over for the first half as a fantastic strike from outside the box saw Kane Woolston get his second of the match and take his team 2-1 up at half time. The second 45 commenced and an early goal to Nathan Chakanetsa put Woongarrah 2 goals up. Minutes later Kane Woolston would find himself on the scoresheet for a third time as he gave his side a 3-goal lead. East Gosford would not give up despite being down 3-1 they managed to capitalize on a mistake from Woongarrah’s backline as Lachlan Muir took the visitors back to a 2-goal deficit. The game was put to bed minutes after conceding as Mark Harmsworth scored a header from a corner which would see Woongarrah take the 3 points. That hattrick for Kane Woolston sees him go to equal first on the BPL Golden Boot along side Killarney’s Daniel Roger, both on 15 goals. Woongarrah finish their campaign next week against their rivals Kanwal. East Gosford look to end their season on a high as they take on Woy Woy
BERKERLEY VALE SC 0 – AVOCA FC 1
Berkeley Vale entered round 15 of competition as the most inform team of the competition having picked up wins over The Entrance, Terrigal and Southern & Ettalong in back to back weeks. Avoca entered the match coming of a 2-0 loss to Terrigal where they were very unlucky to not draw and played well against a strong Terrigal side. These two sides met all the way back in round 1 where Berkeley Vale where 2-0 winners on that day. It was always going to be a battle for Avoca coming up against Berkeley who had not conceded a goal in over 270 minutes of football. Avoca had a lot to fight for as a win against their opponents would guarantee them a spot in BPL for the 2021 season. In a very back and forth game Berkeley Vale would lose both starters Joey Little and Troy Mumford to injuries during the match. Having no fresh substitutes Berkeley Vale would struggle going forward for the rest of the match. A young and enthusiastic Avoca squad fought hard and well, A Jesse Parnell goal would be the difference in the closely fought game between two great sides as Jesse put his Avoca side up 1-0. In a match that was labelled as a constant arm wrestle, the game would finish 1-0 to Avoca who seemed to want it more on the day and deserved to win. Avoca have avoided relegation and look to finish their season on a high as they take on The Entrance at home next week. Berkeley Vale will look to solidify their spot in finals with a win over Umina next weekend.