MATCH OF THE ROUND
East Gosford v Woy Woy
East Gosford and Woy Woy will meet for the round 13 match of the round with this fixture to be played in memory of ex-Rams player Kate McCartin.
East Gosford looks to regroup as they set their sights on getting back to the top of the table as they face the current league leaders Woy Woy. East Gosford met Woy Woy in their opening game of the season and despite having multiple players out the Rams were able to split the points in a 2-2 draw. Since their opening fixture, Jorge Chavez has welcomed a few new additions to boost his squad and East Gosford has been quite a force in the WPL competition. Although their sights will be well set on Woy Woy, East Gosford must play a catch-up game during the week against Ourimbah and a win against the Falcons will see East Gosford enter Sunday on the same points as Woy Woy.
Jorge Chavez spoke about the multiple importance of this game for him and the club. “Our game against Woy Woy will be special in so many ways, firstly the winner goes to the top of the table, secondly it’s against familiar faces from my days at Gosford City FC, and thirdly as it will also be the game we will both contest for the Kate Cup, an annual game we celebrate and remember the life of one of our Rams players Kate McCartin who lost her battle with cancer in 2013, each year we dedicate a round where we raise money and wear pink in memory of Kate.”
Chavez also credited the opposition and the terrific job their coach has done with their team in the competition this year. “I am proud of the job Lucy and co have done thus far at Woy Woy this year. There is a mutual respect from both sides, and I expect a very entertaining game come Sunday as both teams play a very similar style of possession football.”
Although Woy Woy claimed a 4-0 win over Wyong last weekend, Wyong forfeited that contest, so the last time Lucy Metcalfe and her team took the field was in their round 11 loss against Kanwal. On that day, Woy Woy struggled immensely in front of goal as they remained scoreless for only the second time this season. After a week off and plenty of time to rest up, Woy Woy has the difficult challenge of travelling to Hylton Moore and battling against East Gosford. Woy Woy will be out to make a statement once again this weekend as they look to solidify their spot at the top of the WPL competition.
Lucy Metcalfe states that she is extremely excited for the very special match-up this weekend. “Looking forward to getting back into the weekend as we had a week off. Expecting another tough game against East Gosford, especially in the midfield. We feel honoured to be a part of a special weekend participating in the Kate Cup!”
MATCH OFFICIAL – Brett Radford
Kanwal v Killarney
Two teams desperate for a win to keep their finals chances alive will face off this weekend as Kanwal hosts Killarney.
Kanwal is once again coming off a 5-1 loss to Southern & Ettalong in which they were able to score the opening goal. Last weekend the Bulls opened the scoring through a free-kick from their veteran Jennifer Tatum who found Megan Green in the box as Green was able to direct the ball with her head past the opposition goalkeeper. But for the second time this season, Allan Bourke’s side would then concede five straight goals to go down 5-1.
Kanwal however will remain confident in their abilities, especially after already haven’t beaten Killarney this season. On that day, the two sides met at Pluim Park mid-week and The Bulls came out 3-2 victors. Kanwal will look to regain their form from just a few weeks ago when they successfully dethroned league leaders Woy Woy with a superb performance that led to a 2-0 win.
Killarney finally got themselves back to winning ways last weekend as the Terriers pick up a 1-0 win over Ourimbah. Jesse Andrews was the hero for her side on that day as her goal was the only difference in a very tight and gruelling match against the Falcons. That marked Adam Tait and his squad’s first win since defeating Wyong all the way back in round 5.
Killarney will enjoy a full week off as they prepare for Kanwal, but their opposition is coming off a mid-week game against Terrigal which might benefit the Terriers. Having the tough ask of playing 3 games in 7 days will allow Killarney to hopefully start their contest on the front foot and apply pressure to a fatigued Kanwal side. Like their early fixture, expect a very close game as both sides will be longing for a win.
MATCH OFFICIAL – John Shaw
Wyong v Southern & Ettalong
After having to forfeit their round 12 fixture due to sickness and injury, Wyong looks to regroup as they welcome second-place Southern & Ettalong to Baker Park.
Wyong will hopefully enter their round 13 clash against Southern & Ettalong rejuvenated, but the small squad has struggled immensely throughout the year with squad numbers that took a whole new low last weekend when Wyong, unfortunately, couldn’t field a squad in either grade. Andrew Halton’s squad are still yet to record a single win as we now reach the halfway mark of the competition.
Having played everyone at least once, Wyong will enter their second round of fixtures knowing what to expect from every team and what strengths they possess. Highlighting and suppressing these strengths will be key to Wyong’s success for the rest of the year as they look to avoid going the whole season winless.
Southern & Ettalong have a great chance to go to the top of the table with a win the weekend. If East Gosford and Woy Woy have another draw in their fixture and the Lionesses can pick up a win, Marcus Warwick’s side will climb to our right first on the WPL ladder. Warwick and his squad will be keeping a close eye on that fixture but must not enter their game against Wyong thinking it’s already won.
Southern will once again look to the in-form striker of Emily Diaz to carry them to success. Diaz had been remarkable in front of goals for Southern this year, claiming 20 goals to her name and once again leading the golden boot standings. Diaz’s four goals last weekend were instrumental for her team’s comeback against Kanwal. Coming up against the statistically worst defence in the lead, Diaz will be determined to add to her magnificent tally this Sunday.
MATCH OFFICIAL – Con Pantos
Umina v Terrigal
Terrigal is scheduled to travel to Umina Oval to face the only team that has been worthy enough to defeat this O’lasses outfit so far in 2022.
Umina will be out to deliver Terrigal their third loss of the season against this E-Gals side. The first time these two sides clashed was in the 2022 Association Cup grand final and on that day, Umina narrowly edged out a resilient Terrigal side to win 1-0. The second time these two sides faced this year, once again Umina got the best of the O’lasses in another tight encounter that finished 2-1.
So far this year, Umina has been the only team to have this Terrigal sides number and Steve Donaldson will be hoping his team can prove that again this weekend. Donaldson’s side is coming off a very impressive 4-2 over East Gosford that saw them pick up their fifth win of the season. Umina is currently three points behind their round 13 opposition so a win this weekend is a must if they want to keep up with the top of the pack on the WPL ladder.
Terrigal has had a very unfortunate run of fixtures so far this year, having multiple games postponed as they remain the only side who has not played over 8 competition games at this point in the season. Terrigal was able to get themselves back on the field as they faced Kanwal in a catch-up game mid-week at Pluim Park. Greg Parker’s side was successfully able to grab all three points in a 2-0 win to shoot them up to third place on 18 points.
Their 2-0 win over Kanwal saw the in-form Candice Phelan pick up both goals in that fixture as she looks to remain in touch with golden boot leader Emily Diaz. Phelan is now just four goals behind Diaz, but Terrigal still has 2 games in hand compared to the Lionesses. Phelan will need to be at her very best this weekend as she will come up against statistically the second-best defence in the competition. This is a matchup many expect to see battling it out in finals, so get down to Umina Oval to witness a sneak peek of WPL finals football this Sunday.
MATCH OFFICIAL – John Shaw
