Gosford v Terrigal
This Sunday, 14th March on Pluim Park 2 at 1:00 pm, 2020 WPL League Champions Gosford will be taking on Terrigal in week 2 of the Women’s Mate Association Cup. Both Gosford and Terrigal got off to the start they wanted in week 1 with Gosford defeating Umina 3-1, while Terrigal got the best of Kariong with a 2-0 win. These two teams faced twice during the 2020 winter competition last year and it was the League Champions Gosford who would prevail with 2 dominant results over their opposition (3-0,6-0).
Gosford City Coach Pete Edwards is excited for the year ahead as his squad will look to go back-to-back WPL League Champions, “The squad is looking excited and keen to pick up from last year’s double success. We have managed to keep most of the team from last year and added new faces which will really strengthen the group”.
Pete was more than happy with his team’s performance when they played Umina on Wednesday night as it was his sides first time on a full field this pre-season. “To my surprise, the girls really picked up the changes from the 1st minute and took control of the game, some really strong performances from the girls with some great link-up play saw us take the game out” Pete added.
When asked about this weekend’s games with Terrigal, Pete expects Terrigal to be a “strong and well-organised side”, never less Pete is confident in his squad being able to execute their game plan.
Terrigal’s WPL squad will be under the reigns of coach Darryl Darke again for the 2021 Season. After a great year from Terrigal last year finishing in 4th spot, Darryl has added more firepower to his squad as he looks to do even better this coming year. “We have attempted to recruit both experienced players and promoting players from our youth system. Pre-season has been focused on integrating the squad to our culture and playing style”
Darryl also added, “the Kariong game was our first hit out and provided a good opportunity to introduce several younger players to WPL”. When asked about the game ahead against Gosford, Darryl further built on his long-term plan for his squad and how this weekend will be “another step in the process”.
Make sure to get down to Pluim Park on Sunday and get involved with the action over social media by using the hashtag #GOSTER on all socials and also tagging @centralcoastfootball in your feed!
Terrigal v Berkeley Vale
The Mate Association Cup Pool-D has provided us with a terrific match-up this weekend as the 2020 BPL Grand Final Winners Terrigal take on Berkeley Vale at Mingara. These two sides met three times last year, in their first fixture Terrigal came out victorious with a 3-1 win at the Wombats home ground. In their second fixture, it was Berkeley Vale who handed Terrigal their first loss of the year with a 2-0 win at Duffy’s Oval. The third time Terrigal and Berkeley clashed was in the 2020 Final Series where Terrigal just edged out their opposition in a 9-goal thriller that ended 5-4 and booked Terrigal their place in the Grand Final.
Terrigal Coach Martyn Griffiths has been working a lot this pre-season, especially on trying to prevent goals. Martyn commented “We got off to a good start last weekend with a clean sheet. It’s always good to try new formations and get new players accustomed to our playing style in the Association Cup, and it won’t be any different this weekend”.
“I must say I didn’t expect us to gel so quickly but great competitive debuts for Jacob Melling, Daniel Bird, Robbie Walton and Stuart Adams ensured we got off to a great start in the competition. 3 of them all scored on their debuts and Jacob was immense in midfield which is pleasing”, Martyn added when reflecting on his side’s 7-0 win over Kariong in Round 1.
Terrigal who has boosted their squad with high quality signings will welcome back Cameron Wilkinson and Anthony Pace back into the squad this weekend. Martyn touched on the upcoming clash with Berkeley, “I’m looking forward to this weekend’s game as it is always a tough match against Berkeley. It will be a major test for us.”
Berkeley Vale Coach Mark Pratt said that his sides pre-season has been “a bit of a write-off” detailing “3 or 4 pre-season games have been washed out, our pre-season will be the Association Cup games”. Despite multiple washed out games, Mark is happy his side has had an “influx of under 21 players which he needed, but we are in a transition year this year with a lot of young players all looking for game time in First Grade”.
When reflecting on his Round 1 matchup against Umina, Mark commented “it was a good hit out that we needed, the 2-0 win was great, but we missed a lot of opportunities”.
When asked about his opposition this weekend Mark had this to say, “As far as Terrigal is concerned, with the squad they have, along with Killarney, are favourites to win everything this year. We will put up a formidable squad on Sunday, but Terrigal are favourites for our pool”.
It’s sure to be a blockbuster this Sunday, 3:00 pm at Mingara Oval. You can also catch Reserve Grade action beforehand at 1:00 pm. Make sure to get involved with the action over social media by using the hashtag #TERBER on all socials and also tag @centralcoastfootball in your feed!
Written by Adam Blunden.