MATCH OF THE ROUND
Terrigal 1 – 2 Southern & Ettalong
A Jack Elwood double was the difference between these two fierce rivals as Southern got back on winning terms in the Round 8 Match of the Round.
It was a vital game for both sides in the shape of the season and both teams approached the game with this attitude in mind. It was an open and evenly contested first half with both sides displaying attacking options and a well-organised defence. The opening 45 minutes was a typical midfield battle between the two even sides and opportunities fell to both teams. Tion Gerasimou fired over from a corner and Jayden Nahkoul, Ben Flakus and Stuart Adams all put their strikes narrowly wide of the goal when in good positions to open the scoring for the O’lads. It was an in-swinging corner from Matt Caisley that saw Jack Ellwood rise above all and send a thumping header into the net right on halftime to give Southern a one-goal advantage at the break.
The second half was much like the first with both teams searching for goals. Terrigal tried to get back into the contest but the Southern back four defended well and goalkeeper Alex Wardle was in tremendous form to keep Terrigal at bay, Wardle produced a world-class save to deny O’lads captain Jai McNamara an equaliser. Jai however would turn provider on the 80-minute mark when a quality through ball was pounced on by winger Mark Partridge as he coolly chipped the oncoming keeper to give Terrigal their deserved equaliser. However, Southern replied in the best possible way when James Steer, who came on as a replacement, cut in from the left and found a diving Jack Ellwood with a great cross to head in his second and to restore Southern’s lead just a minute after conceding and ultimately give them the victory over their rivals Terrigal.
“Lack of concentration at key moments” commented Martyn Griffiths after his side’s loss to Southern. “We defended set pieces well until the forty-fifth minute when we knew it would be the last corner before the halftime whistle, but we allowed a free header to send them one up at the break. Then when we get the equaliser on eighty minutes, we switched off and didn’t react and found ourselves behind again sixty seconds later. Disappointing in this aspect but we didn’t deserve to lose this game.”
“Credit to Southern, they didn’t allow us a moment of space and were a physical side to play against. We go to Kariong next week, which will be a tough venue to get a result, but it’s a game we must take full advantage of to keep up with the top of the pack.”
Dale Eggleton voiced how this year has been extremely difficult due to many factors. “This season has taught us to be resilient. With players contracting covid from week to week, or the new flu virus that’s going around, or having to use alternate training venues because of the wet, or as we experienced on Sunday against Terrigal a neutral ground at Pat Morley Oval where neither side had played before with no official dressing rooms.”
“When the final whistle sounded the spectators had witnessed a good contest and you get the feeling there will be more between these two sides before the season is over.”
The Entrance 1 – 6 Avoca
Avoca claims their second win of the season after putting an emphatic six goals past The Entrance this past Sunday.
An Avoca side desperate for a win was able to turn a great performance into a maximum of three points. Avoca started brightly with Cooper Ebrington scoring not only the first goal for the game but his first goal for the club. After quite a back and forth 45 minutes, it was a very big day off in front of goal for The Entrance. Josh Menzies was able to double the lead for Avoca as the Shark entered halftime up 2-0.
The second half did not get any better for Patrick Zwaanswijk’s side as Avoca dominated for the majority of the last 45 minutes. Avoca took a four-goal lead thanks to another goal from Cooper Ebrington as well as Tyler Wade. The Entrance was able to claw one back through Jacob Ham who found himself one-on-one and this time successfully converted past the Avoca keeper. It was an extremely frustrating day out for The Entrance who had multiple one-on-one chances but struggled immensely turning these chances into goals. Avoca was able to extend their lead even more through Jackson Carr and Dylan Di Sciascio who solidified the Sharks’ 6-1 win and handed Avoca their second win of 2022.
Patrick Zwaanswijk stated his team had a very off game in front of a goal and credited an Avoca team who deserved the points. “The Entrance had a big day off in front of goals. Avoca was hungrier and more physical than the Entrance and won the game on set pieces and a penalty. They deserved the win, the Avoca keeper played well, and Avoca was the better team.”
Neal Hide was thrilled with his team’s performance and expressed how the opposition’s pace upfront will trouble a lot of teams. “It was a very solid performance from Avoca. The Entrance played with total integrity and with the speed they have upfront will create and score goals against other teams.”
Woongarrah 0 – 1 Killarney
For the second time this year, Woongarrah conceded in injury time to miss out on points as Jordan Preston was the hero for Killarney and keeping their perfect start to the season alive.
Killarney dominated possession and field position early on as Woongarrah struggled to keep the ball against the league leaders despite playing in front of a home crowd. Killarney would see their efforts pay off when one of their players was left unmarked in the six-yard box who fired a shot that was heading in the back of the net only to be denied by Josh Masters with a quality save. After a slow start, Woongarrah would start to create their chances and were awarded a penalty after they had a player brought down in the opposition box. AJ Henderson stepped up for the Wildcats but was brilliantly denied by Declan Drake as the score remained locked at 0-0 for halftime.
The second half saw Woongarrah start the more brightly, but Killarney would be given a golden opportunity after a Woongarrah handball in the box would award Killarney with a penalty of their own. Veteran striker Adam Woodbine stepped up for the Terriers but was also denied as Josh Masters came to the rescue for Woongarrah once again. Both teams continued to have their chances, but it looked like the game would remain scoreless as it headed deep into injury time. A freekick just outside the box was awarded to Killarney in the 93rd minute, Substitute Jordyn Preston took and found the bottom corner to finally beat the Woongarrah keeper and keep Killarney’s perfect, unbeaten start to the season.
Luke Rogers had high praise for the opposition, Rogers also stated that despite losing in injury time he and his squad will focus on what’s ahead. “You can see why Killarney are top of the table. They have been the best side we have faced so far. Disappointing to lose in injury time but we can’t dwell on it.”
Chris Ackerley credited the Woongarrah goalkeeper who had an outstanding performance on Sunday. “The Woongarrah keeper had a brilliant game, denying us of numerous goals with his shot-stopping. It was a very hard game for us with flu and sickness sweeping through the club but was pleased for the boys who went to the final whistle.”
Wyoming 1 – 4 Kariong
Wyoming’s struggling start to the season continues as Kariong manage to put four past the Tigers as the Cougars jump out of the relegation zone.
It was a far from ideal start to the match for Kariong with their centre back pulling out due to injury that morning and for the fourth week in a row, Ryan Finch was forced to make an early substitution due to an injured player, but Kariong was desperate to not let that deter them from their game plan and how important they knew getting the three points were. Both teams started the game well, but you could see the sense of cautiousness as both teams tried to work out the other for the majority of the first half. The Cougars started to get on top and create more of the chances towards the end of the first half as they were finally able to break the deadlock through James Draper who sent Kariong into halftime a goal to the good.
The second half started much of the same as the first with neither team creating a lot of chances until Wyoming’s main man Ian McAndrew found the equaliser to get his side back on level terms. After conceding, Kariong instantly stepped up a few gears and after a strong run at the Wyoming backline, Chris Lennon got Kariong back in front with his effort that found the back of the net. Shortly after grabbing the goal ahead goal, a similar run by Jayden Williams resulted in him being brought down in the box and awarded a penalty. Full of confidence after grabbing his first, Chris Lennon stepped up and coolly slotted home to double his side’s lead. Kariong’s waves of attack continued, and it was Lennon once again who jinked his way through the Wyoming defence before cutting back and wrapping the ball into the top corner to seal his hat-trick and also the victory for Kariong.
“Kariong deserved it and we’re up for the match and out enthused us,” stated Ian McAndrew post-game.
Coming off his second win as Kariong coach, Ryan Finch sympathised with the Wyoming squad who are continually struggling with their numbers on a weekly basis. “Despite the result, I have to commend Ian and his side who battled until the final whistle. I know that they are like us and have been struggling for numbers due to injuries and I hope they have everyone back available soon.”
Golden Boot Standings –
| 5 | Jack Elwood (Southern) |
| 4 | Andy Klijn (Killarney) Adam Kwasnik (Kanwal), Stuart Adams (Terrigal), Jack O’Callaghan (The Entrance), James Draper (Kariong), Tyler Wade (Avoca) |
Points Table –
Club Championship –
Division 1
Round 8 Results –
Points Table –
Club Championship –
