BY ADAM BLUNDEN
ROUND 15 | 11th OCTOBER
FIRST GRADE SCORES –
| Gosford City | 1 | Kanwal | 2 |
| Kariong | 0 | Killarney | 3 |
| Terrigal | 0 | Umina | 3 |
| Southern & Ettalong | 0 | Toukley | 0 |
| Woongarrah | 2 | East Gosford | 5 |
GOSFORD CITY FC 1 – KANWAL WARNERVALE ROVERS FC 2
Gosford headed into this weekend with a perfect record of 13 wins from 13 games and looked to solidify that record with another win against Kanwal in the last round of the year. Semi-finals arrived a week early to Pluim Park as WPL heavyweights played in an epic battle on Sunday. The game had everything as both sides pushed hard to gain advantage with Semi’s only a week away. Gosford would dominate possession but found it difficult to break down Kanwal’s well-structured defence, who looked to strike on the counter. Both goal keepers would be forced to make excellent saves as both sides pushed for the very important opening goal, but it wouldn’t come in the first half as the sides where level 0-0 heading into the break. The second half started where it left off with again both sides having dominate periods. It would be Kanwal who would break the deadlock with a well worked goal that was finished by Mel Young as her header found the post and then went in after a great lead up play from Hayley Green and a pinpoint Jen Reeves cross. Gosford got themselves back into the game almost immediately when they responded with a headed goal of their own courtesy of Taylor Thompson. Once again it would not take long for the score to change as Kanwal responded with a well taken goal finished by Hayley Green to take her side 2-1 up. The last 30 minutes saw some real desperation as Gosford looked to continue their unbeaten season, but Kanwal would hang on as they came out victorious in a pulsating encounter. Despite losing, Gosford’s coach Pete Edwards said he couldn’t not be prouder of the girls and everything they have achieved this year.
KARIONG UNITED FC 0 – KILLARNEY DISTRICT SC 3
In their last match of the year both teams were up for the game despite the very warm conditions. Killarney started well putting a lot of pressure on the Kariong goal which was defended really well. Killarney continued to put pressure on their opposition’s backline but failed to hit the target. Finally, killarney would open the scoring after a great pass from the midfield saw them break away with a 2 on 1 which they would convert to go 1-0 up thanks to Sarah Milne. Kariong created chances of their own from set pieces, but they would either go wide of the target or be claimed by the Killarney goalie. Killarney would leave it late as they finished off with two late goals in what was labelled as a good contest. Killarney’s Lauren Dobson and Bethany Hogg would be the ones responsible for the late goals to help their side to a 3-0 win. Killarney finish their season in 7th place on 17 points. Full credit to a very brave Kariong squad for the 2020 season.
TERRIGAL UNITED FC 0 – UMINA UNITED FC 3
A top 4 matchup saw 4th place Terrigal and 2nd place Umina battle it out this weekend in their round 14 clash. Although the outcome of the game would have no bearing on table positioning, it was played in a competitive and spirited manner. Terrigal where unlucky not to take the lead in the first half as Umina goalie Sam Fulwood produced 2 great saves. Kate Styles pounced on a defensive turnover just before half time and opened the scoring for her team which took Umina 1-0 at half time. That late goal gave the Umina goals plenty of confidence and momentum heading into the second half. In another back and forth half it was Umina’s Gemma Crowson who scored 2 goals directly from taking a corner to take the game to 3-0 and that’s how it finished. That clean sheet marks Umina’s 7th for the year which is a commendable stat to Umina’s defence.
SOUTHERN & ETTALONG UNITED FC 0 – TOUKLEY GOROKAN FC 0
It was a very close game as Southern & Ettalong hosted Toukley this weekend in their last matches of the season. The game was 50/50 the whole 90 minutes with both teams creating multiple opportunities but neither side able to capitalize on them. Toukley goalkeeper Chloe Payne saved her side over and over again in goals with tremendous saves. Brooke Samuel unfortunately missing opportunities for her squad which kept the game level at half time 0-0. The second half was a repeat of the first with both sides creating plenty of chances but despite all the opportunities from both teams the game finished nil all. Southern & Ettalong and Toukley both unfortunately missed out on finals for this year.
WOONGARRAH WILDCATS FC 2 – EAST GOSFORD RAMS FC 5
Unfortunately for both sides this weekend’s game would be the last of the season as both teams missed out on making finals. The majority of the first half was played within Woongarrah’s defensive half, despite trying hard Woongarrah struggled to get themselves into the flow of the game and conceded the opening goal due to an own goal. East Gosford would find themselves on the scoresheet two more times in the first half after a Sarah Hudson header from a corner took them to 2-0, not long after Kim Myers made it 3 heading into half time. Woongarrah started the second half significantly better than the first, with a change of formation and a sudden intensity within the squad knowing it would be their last 45 minutes of the year, Woongarrah scored their first goal thanks to Emma Hurley’s low hard shot across the face of goal. Just four minutes later Emma once again scored after converting a 1on1 against the East Gosford goalie. Woongarrah continued to press in hopes of taking the game level but due to pushing players forward East Gosford’s Sarah Hudson was able to score for her team after a counter attack. East Gosford where also awarded a penalty not long after that saw Karen Doghtty take the score to 5-2 where the game finished.