MATCH OF THE ROUND
Berkeley Vale v Terrigal
A rematch of the 2022 Association Cup Grand Final between Berkeley Vale and Terrigal is the Round 6 BPL Match of the Round
Berkeley Vale got the best of Terrigal in that Cup final, beating the O’lads 2-1. Many other clubs see Mark Pratt’s side as the competition favourites and the team to beat this year. After far from compelling performances for the Wombats in the opening two fixtures, everything seemed to click for the Wombats side last weekend as they dominated Wyoming in a 5-0 win. Berkeley Vale is currently equal first on the BPL ladder with Kanwal and Killarney who are set to play this weekend, so a win over Terrigal could propel them to outright first place.
Despite their opposition’s recent results, Pratt and his side will not be taking this game lightly as they know the strength and quality Terrigal possess. “I’m expecting an extremely tough match, Terrigal are too good as a team to have lost two games on the trot and Marty and the boys would be hurting so it will be nothing short of a tough game.”
“Due to all the disruptions and wet weather earlier in the season, form doesn’t really count for much, so I expect this to be a really tight game as it usually is,” voiced Pratt.
Last weekend marked the first time in Martyn Griffith’s history as Terrigal coach that he lost all 3 grades in a single day, it is also hard to remember a time when his first-grade side had lost back-to-back games. The O’lads have not only gone their last two games unbeaten but also without scoring a single goal in either of those fixtures as attention turn to the underperforming Terrigal attack who will face one of the best defensive sides in the competition.
Griffiths stated that he and his players have addressed their issues as they set their sights on Berkeley Vale this weekend. “Looking forward to getting back on the park after a couple of disappointing results. The Kanwal game was one that we should have put the game to bed in the first half, and we have spoken as a group of players about the last couple of games and what needs to be done to get our season going. There are no panic buttons yet but with a new group of players it won’t be long before we get things right.”
“Berkeley and Killarney will again be the teams to beat this year and we had a close Cup final defeat against them a few weeks back, and again if we had taken our chances in that match, it could’ve been a different outcome. Mark has assembled a great squad of players and we will have to be at our best to get something out of the game, but I have no doubt it will be another close encounter.”
Kanwal v Killarney
Undefeated Kanwal will host undefeated Killarney as the two most in-form teams of the competition are set to clash this Sunday.
Kanwal enter round 6 as the only BPL side that is yet to concede a single goal, a truly outstanding feat that Ryan Walker and his side should be proud of. Kanwal looked unlikely to pick up any points in last weekend’s game against Terrigal as Walker was forced to make two early substitutions as their key midfielders both picked up injuries. However, the Bulls left it late once again to snatch all 3 points from Terrigal and keep their perfect start to the season alive.
Mason Lavery and Brad Porter, who were forced to leave the game early, have been terrific in the middle of the park for Kanwal and if they are left out of the squad this game week, it’s sure to play a big part in the fixture. Nonetheless, expect a confident Kanwal look to take it to the Terriers in front of a loud and cheerful home crowd.
There was a lot of uncertainty and questions surrounding Chris Ackerley and his Killarney squad heading into the 2022 season after losing quite a few key players from his first-grade team. Ackerley’s side did not manage to make it to the Association Cup semi-finals and the rest of the competition suspected they might not be in the same force as they have been come the winter competition.
However, after their opening three games, Killarney look to be as good as they have ever been, leading the competition for goals scored whilst only conceding the one goal against. Sam Kirk and Adam Smith have been tremendous for the Terriers backline so far this season whilst up top Ethan Hall has found himself on top of the golden boot standings after the opening three rounds with three goals. Hall will be hoping he can continue this form and be the first to break Kanwal’s defence this weekend.
Kariong v Avoca
Kariong, coming off their historical win in round 5, will look to go back-to-back as they face a hungry Avoca side who are searching for their first win.
Against all odds, Kariong pulled off an extremely unlikely comeback against Southern & Ettalong in Round 5 to claim their first BPL first grade win in the club’s history. Kariong, who joined the BPL competition for the first time last year, have been battling hard every week for this victory that has finally come. The big test Kariong face now is trying to repeat this performance and win on a weekly basis.
Kariong will be without Chris Lennon who will miss the game due to suspension after seeing red in last week’s fixture. Kariong’s James Draper grabbed himself a double in their win that also saw him go equal first in the golden boot standings with three goals in three games. Kariong will play in front of a home crowd again this week which is sure to play a part in the game and expect even bigger celebrations if Kariong can grab another win.
After a tremendous run in the Association Cup, plenty of outsiders were expecting big things of Neal Hide’s young Avoca side who remain without a win in their opening three fixtures. However, everything is not as bad as it seems for the Sharks who have arguably faced three of the toughest teams possible to start their 2022 season (Terrigal, Southern, Killarney)
Hide’s side will be facing an extremely confident Kariong outfit and whilst Hide won’t be panicking about the results of his team just yet, another loss this weekend could play a big part in Avoca’s ambitions of playing finals football come the end of the year. Avoca will hope they can get back to scoring ways and set the tone of the match early but nonetheless, you can expect this fixture to be extremely close and potentially go down to the wire.
The Entrance v Southern & Ettalong
The Entrance, who had a great opportunity to pick up their first win last week will now set their sights on competition big guns Southern & Ettalong.
The Entrance was awarded a penalty in the dying moments of the game and a golden opportunity to grab their first win of the year last week at Hamlyn Terrace against Woongarrah, but unfortunately for the Reddies, Jack O’Callaghan could not convert for his side as the points were shared. The Entrance has been causing a lot of teams problems with their energetic young squad whose never say die attitude has kept them in all off their games this year, including pushing BPL favourites Berkeley Vale to the very end.
Their challenge does not get any easier come round 6 as they welcome a hungry Southern & Ettalong who will be looking to right their wrongs from last weekend. This will be the Reddies’ second home game of the year as the always loud and active Pat Morley crowd will be sure to make their voices heard as they welcome back their old captain-coach in Matt Page who will be on the Southern teamsheet. The Entrance will be hoping they can follow in Kariong’s footsteps and upset the Southern side to pick up their first of the year.
Southern & Ettalong would have been kicking themselves as they fell to Kariong in round 5. Southern coach Dale Eggleton stated his team learned a valuable lesson in the importance of hunger and desire as they lost to a 10-men Kariong. The Lions will be out to right their wrongs this weekend as they look to get back to winning ways.
Leading goal scorer for the Lions, Jack Ellwood, will miss the game as he was given a red card late in his last fixture. Ellwood has been in great form to start the season, scoring a goal in each of his games and his absence is sure to play a big part for Eggleton’s side. To the surprise of many, Keith Gumbs remains scoreless after three rounds as the almighty Gumbs will be looking to find his name on the scoresheet against a young Entrance backline.
Wyoming v Woongarrah
Underperforming Wyoming are coming off their biggest defeat yet as they head back home to Alan Davidson Oval to face Woongarrah
Wyoming’s captain Matt Hall is still yet to make his return from injury as the Tigers continue to struggle with numbers and injuries on a weekly basis. Last game week, Ian McAndrew’s side started with a fresh bare 11 as they fell by five goals to Berkeley Vale. Wyoming lost a key youngster in Ronan Clements-Lee who suffered an injury in an Australian Cup fixture which has ruled him out for the year.
Wyoming’s attention now turns to Woongarrah as the Tigers hope to get their first win BPL win of 2022. Wyoming has failed to find the back of the net in their last two fixtures and still only record the single goal for which came from young gun Conor Fitzpatrick back in round three against Killarney. McAndrew as always will have his side well drilled heading into this fixture and with a clear gameplan on how he wants his side to play. If their gameplan is executed correctly, expect Wyoming to pick up their first win of the year.
Woongarrah has goalkeeper Josh Masters to thank for their draw last weekend after the Wildcats conceded a penalty in the dying movements of the game, only for Masters to step up for his side and save the opportunity and grab would could turn out to be a very crucial point for his team. Another talking point from that game was the red card to striker Jayden Rogers who will consequently miss the game against Wyoming as he serves his suspension.
Luke Rogers and his side who lost a few key players at the start of the year, seemed to be starting to gel with each other more and more every week as Rogers has high ambitions to play finals football again this year. Woongarrah is set to hit the road for the first time in two weeks, and in recent years their away form has been far from ideal so Rogers will be hoping his men can turn that around and pick up a win in Round 6.
