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MATCH OF THE ROUND

Killarney 10 – 1 Wyong

An understrength Wyong felt the full force of Killarney in the WPL Round 5 Match of the Round as the Terriers keep their unbeaten start to the season alive.

Andrew Halton and his side entered their Match of the Round fixture with just 12 players available for first grade and no first-choice goalkeeper, this would mark their toughest game yet for the Emu outfit. As expected, Killarney started the game in a very dominant fashion and in the 12th minute, Alisha Dudman opened the scoring for the Terriers. 10 minutes later, Killarney would go on to extend their lead from a corner that was well finished by Tajsha Birrell. Killarney kept building on this momentum and another two goals in quick succession from Maddie Van Dijk saw Killarney’s lead jump to four. Alisha Dudman grabbed her second of the match not long after and just before half time Maddie Van Dijk sealed her first half hattrick as Killarney went into the sheds at the break up 6-0.

Killarney entered the second half and continued to build on their efforts in the opening 45 minutes. Alisha Dudman was first to score after the break as she also claimed a hattrick for the day. Another Maddie Van Dijk goal saw the lead spring to eight. Maddie Andrews delivered the final blow for Killarney as she produced two goals of her own. In the 80th minute, an outstanding ball from Ashlee Vernon found Jessica Peachey whose dangerous cross to the back post evidently found the back of the net to get a goal back for Wyong. 

Despite conceding double digits again, Halton was pleased with his squad as he continues to see the team build. “The girls showed signs of improvement with some good moments. It’s a moment to be proud of as a coach when your players leave everything they have out on the pitch.”

Adam Tait credits the opposition who once again showed fight to the final whistle. “Wyong should be commended as they never stopped trying.”

East Gosford 1 – 2 Terrigal

Terrigal, in their opening game of the year, edged out East Gosford in a gruelling and close encounter.

Terrigal started their first game of the season as expected, full of energy, physicality, and excitement. East Gosford entered the fixture awaiting a fast start from Terrigal due to the Rams forced reshuffle in the starting line-up due to suspensions, injuries, and starting the game with only 9 fresh players. It took Jorge Chavez’s side a good 15 minutes to settle into the game. Terrigal kept the ball well and dominated possession early on, but their pass completion was below par and this played into East Gosford’s rapid transition and counter-attacking style of play. Terrigal grabbed the opening goal off great build-up play that finished with an excellent cross from Emma Power that allowed Candice Phelan to head home and give the O’lasses the lead at halftime.

After some tactical changes by the Rams to start the second half, they came out a different team, keeping possession well and playing some great, positive attacking football.  It was the ever-active Kayla Vanderfield that seemed to have the ball on a string in the second half creating chance after chance for her side. Kayla’s efforts were finally rewarded in the 60th minute when she grabbed an equaliser for East Gosford. After grabbing the equaliser, East Gosford piled on the pressure and looked well in control to snatch another goal and take all three points but to Terrigal’s credit, they continued to fight hard and were eventually rewarded after a Georgah Shearim corner found her teammate Indiana Moyes who managed to get under the ball to find the back of the net and restore Terrigal’s lead. Terrigal was forced to finish the game with just 10 players after Paris Blair received a second yellow card, The Rams pushed hard but Gregory Parker’s side did well to hang on as the game finished 2-1.

Ram’s coach Chavez had nothing but praise for both teams who put on an entertaining and exciting match. “It was a great game of football with both teams playing similar styles and formations. Unfortunately, we conceded two goals from crosses in our six-yard box and didn’t make the most of our opportunities in front of goals. As a squad, we struggled with numbers today, but we showed that no matter who starts we have a fighting spirit in us that will always give us a chance for points.”

Greg Parker and his assistant Peter Blair both credited the opposition team and coach who played some tremendous football and pushed their side to the maximum on Sunday. “Peter Blair and I have always maintained this competition will produce some surprises and close results. Today the Rams played some excellent counterattacker football, they are well-coached by Jorge Chavez and his staff. In the end, we prevailed but we have plenty of work to do if we are to be front runners in this competition.”

Southern & Ettalong 2 – 3 Woy Woy

Woy Woy continues to send a warning to the rest of the competition after an impressive win that shoots them to the top of the WPL Ladder.

Woy Woy looked to take it to the inform Southern side who entered the game coming off an impressive 14-1 win and on top of the WPL Ladder. Woy Woy’s attack put a lot of pressure on Southern’s backline early and Woy Woy was able to dominate and maintain the majority of possession. The Lionesses’ backline eventually cracked as Lynette Soames was able to put the ball in the Southern goal after a scramble in the box. Being a goal up did not stop Woy Woy who kept up the pressure as they searched for another goal. Woy Woy was moving the ball from side to side extremely well which allowed space to open up in the middle of the park and their captain coach Lucy Metcalfe hit a wonderfully struck 30-yard shot that tucked under the post to double her sides lead. After conceding two straight goals, Augusto Terra’s side finally came alive and they started to enjoy their fair share of the ball, Southern hit back through a beautiful finish from Alana Currie to bring the game to 2-1. Southern rallied on and pushed hard to grab another before halftime but was unsuccessful and the score remained 2-1 at halftime.

The second half of action saw a slower-paced game as fatigue began to set in for both sides. Southern was able to find the equaliser very early on in the half when Tatum Ansiewicz slotted home from a very acute angle. After the score was locked at level, both teams pushed hard to grab a go-ahead goal. Woy Woy was awarded a corner late in the game which found Brianna Green who slotted home the winner for Woy Woy and consequently propelled Woy Woy to the top of the WPL Ladder.

Lucy Metcalfe was extremely happy with how her team performed against a very durable opposition. “Proud of our girls today, it was a great win with a tough battle in the midfield. We played great football and capitalised on each opportunity!”

Umina 4 – 0 Ourimbah

WPL Favourites Umina finally got their season underway as the E-Gals sent Dave Hurley’s Ourimbah home with a loss.

Ourimbah came into their round 5 fixture, prepared for a tough fixture against one of the grand final participants in the 2020 season. Having already faced off in the Association Cup, Umina knew what to expect with their deep-lying defence that aimed to frustrate and suppress the Umina attack, which they successfully managed for large parts of the game. For Ourimbah, the first half was a defensive battle as Umina pressed their backline and goalkeeper for the majority of the first half. The E-Gals picked up an early goal after a corner found Hannah Batten’s head as she successfully slotted past the opposition goalkeeper. Umina was able to grab another and extend their lead just before halftime when a Hayley Fulwood longshot found the back of the net.

With some minor formation adjustments at halftime, Ourimbah commenced the second half with the concept of smothering and pressuring the Umina midfielders, this defensive block worked well as it disallowed the quick Umina attackers the opportunity to get beyond the defenders. It took another long-range strike, this time from Nicole Carmichael, to give Umina a 3-goal lead. Umina was awarded a penalty as they grabbed their last goal of the day through Kate Styles who took the opportunity well and got her side a maximum 3 points in their opening fixture.

When reflecting on the game, Dave Hurley was thrilled with the performance of his team. “Overall, I am happy with our team’s effort, determination, and structure against a fast-paced opposition. The effort and composure of our goalkeeper (Michelle Dillon) who led by example by saving numerous shots on goal.”

Steve Donaldson had nothing but credit for the opposition and their coach as Donaldson stated he sees them being a real test for a lot of teams in WPL this season. “The scoreline probably doesn’t do justice by how much we dominated as there is a pretty clear division in quality. However, full of praise for Dave who is a very smart coach. They have a game plan that they stuck to and kept the scoreline as it was. I can see them picking up a fair few results, as well as hopefully really frustrating the top teams with the same game plan.”

Golden Boot Standings –

10Emily Diaz (Southern)
7Laura Mundy (Woy Woy)
4Alisha Dudman (Killarney), Maddie Van Dijk (Killarney)

WPL Points Table –

WPL Club Championship –