MATCH OF THE ROUND
Southern Ettalong 2 – 1 Berkeley Vale
With plenty to play from both sides in the round 2 match of the round, a Jacob Lepre goal of the season claimed the win for his side as Southern now moves into the top four, overtaking Berkeley Vale.
The supporters came out in their numbers for Southern Ettalong United’s Old Boys Day at James Browne Oval on Sunday realizing their support may help the current side in their quest to defeat Berkeley Vale and climb into the top four on the competition ladder. The game started with both teams knowing what was at stake and were feeling each other out without either side dominating in the opening stages. At the 20-minute mark, the first crucial decision of the match was made when Berkeley Vale was awarded a penalty. Nathan Blunden stepped up and casually converted with a well-placed strike to give his side a crucial 1-0 lead. This saw Southern’s determination grow and five minutes later after a period of pressure, they found themselves level on the scoresheet when Wyatt Elliott headed home from a gigantic Todd Balneaves long throw-in. The half was played of good quality and despite promising attacks from both sides, the score remained 1-1 at halftime.
The Old Boys crowd encouraged the home side when they returned for the second half. This along with a more positive attacking attitude seemed to lift the Lions for the second period as they knew what was at stake. At the 60-minute mark, Josh Lepre picked up the ball on the left and cut inside to find his brother Jacob with a great square ball, Jacob Lepre burst out of the midfield on goal as he carried the ball about 30 meters toward goal before unleashing a left foot strike into the top corner of the Berkeley Vale net, giving the opposition goalkeeper zero chance as he watched the ball fly over his head and into his goal. Lepre gave his side a 2-1 lead and sent the crowd into raptures of applause and cheers. For the final half-hour, Southern threatened to extend their lead but was unable to capitalise on their chances. More importantly, the Lions denied Berkley Vale the equaliser to claim all three points.
Mark Pratt was once again left disappointed in his side’s ability to finish their opportunities which ultimately cost them another crucial win. “Yesterday’s game was very much the same as the rest of the season, one of missed opportunities. We take our opportunities in the first period of the game but to be fair it was a very close and competitive game. Our season is now out of our hands, and we need to win the remaining games and hope that either Southern or Terrigal slip up.”
“Our challenge now is to get back to working hard again during the week and to be ready for Avoca next week. When you look at the quality of the Berkeley Vale side you know that it’s a good win and we now have to capitalize on the position we have been able to work our way into over the last six games,” stated Lion’s head coach Dale Eggleton post-match.
MATCH OFFICIAL – Trent Dickeson
Killarney 2 – 1 The Entrance
Another instalment of the local derby between the Terriers and the Reddies saw Chris Ackerley’s side continue their perfect season, grabbing their 16th win of the season in front of a home crowd.
A bumpy Edsaac Oval saw both teams playing to the conditions of the pitch to the best of their ability. The Entrance looked to push the ball up high as often as possible in hope of creating some chances through Zac Anastas and Ashton Hurley, but any opportunities were met well by the Killarney keeper who denied the Reddies of taking a lead. Up the other end, it was the same situation as Killarney’s striker Adam Woodbine would enjoy some chances of his own, only to be denied by Jaleel Coombe. Woodbine would beat the opposition goalie, but was then denied by the crossbar and goal posts on multiple occasions as the first half remained scoreless after an entertaining opening 45-minutes.
Golden Boot leader Adam Woodbine would finally get his deserved goal just 5-minutes into the second half as he was able to finish off a great move down the left from Will Hamilton who the ball squared to Woodbine made no mistake from six yards out. The Entrance rallied back with a great chance of their own only to be denied by Declan Drake once again, as he made the save of the match to keep his team in the lead. Late in the match Killarney took a 2-0 lead after an Adam Woodbine freekick from just outside the box was parried away by Jaleel Coombe but an opportunistic follow-in by substitute Nathan Baxter who made the most of his chance as he doubled his side’s lead. Again, after conceding The Entrance tried everything to get back into the game and finally were able to find the back of the net from a cross that found Zac Anastas who’s head on goal for Jacob Ham to score with only three minutes left to play. Unfortunately for the Entrance, time was not on their side as they fell 2-1 to their local rivals.
“Killarney is the benchmark of the competition. They do all the 1 percenter right and have strength all over the park. Credit to the coaching staff and club. Our boys took it to Killarney, both Josh Rose and I are very proud of our player’s efforts and our form in the last six weeks. Now we need to bounce back and prepare for our next match,” commented Ray Seers.
“It was a typical derby match that was hard fought with the Entrance making us battle hard for the three points,” stated Chris Ackerley who went on to add, “It was a great day for the club holding on to continue our unbeaten run and clinching the Club Championship, now a massive game next week against Terrigal who are coming off a big win.”
MATCH OFFICIAL – Hugo Fonseca
Woongarrah 0 – 3 Avoca
With both clubs desperate for a win heading into the weekend, it was Neal Hide’s Avoca who would walk away with the three points after claiming their first win in four weeks.
With crucial points up for grabs, the opening half between these two sides was played box to box in an even contest. Very few chances were created in the first half by either side, Woongarrah’s best chance of the opening 45 minutes was deemed offside by the official as the Wildcats entered the halftime break feeling frustrated.
Looking to assert themselves and take control of the second period, Woongarrah would have a great opportunity to open the scoring when a fantastic run from Kyle Harvey led to a pass that found teammate Bailey Koopman whose shot from inside the 6-yard box would hit the crossbar and ricochet away. Moments after Woongarrah missed their chance to open the scoring, Avoca made no mistake of their chance up the other end of the field as Tyler Wade grabbed the first goal of the game and his ninth of the season. Minutes after conceding, Woongarrah would lose their captain Mark Harmsworth to a red card after being on the end of what was labelled a “harsh call” by the Woongarrah coach. Looking to chase the game in search of an equaliser, having only 10 men on the field would pay its toll as Avoca would grab their second and third goal of the day thanks to an excellent finish from Sam Beatson as Nathan Baker grabbed the last goal to seal Avoca’s three points.
Post-match, Luke Rogers was left feeling disappointed once again as he commended the opposition on their deserved win. “Well done to Neil and his boys who took full advantage of the extra man and deserved the three points. Disappointed with how we have had some really tough calls go against us in games resulting in a loss of points. Hopefully, we can rally against the grain and pick up the points we need to survive.”
“A deserved victory for Avoca who played some excellent passing football,” voiced Avoca’s Neal Hide
MATCH OFFICIAL – Luke Dunkerley
Terrigal 8 – 0 Wyoming
Another home game at Duffy’s Oval, another monumental scoreline as the O’lads were able to pick up their biggest win of the season against a subpar Wyoming side.
Martyn Griffith’s men turned around the previous week’s disappointing defeat against The Entrance with an emphatic 8-0 win against a tired-looking Wyoming outfit. With only four minutes on the clock, Mahkye Brownlie was at hand to tap home from in front to open the scoring. Only minutes later Brownlie rifled home with a brilliant, powerful shot into the roof of the net to double his side’s advantage and grab his second of the day. Terrigal captain Jai McNamara scored from a corner to extend the lead to three and then Daniel Bird made it four, again from an attacking set piece. A great through ball from Stu Adams allowed Bird to score his second after breaking through the Wyoming rear-guard to coolly slot home and make it 5-0 at the break.
Wyoming continued to battle in the second period, but fatigue was evident in the legs of the players who had already played earlier in the day which Terrigal took full advantage of. Ben Flakus opened the scoring in the second half when he broke through the opposition backline to round the keeper to make it 6-0. Stu Adams eventually grabbed his deserved goal when he fired home in the bottom corner to extend their lead to seven. Tion Gerasimou was last on the scoresheet when he curled a beauty from outside the box to finish the rout after Trent Vegter missed from the penalty spot moments earlier.
Ian McAndrew congratulated the opposition on a deserved win and also had high praise for their standout player. “Credit to Terrigal they played well, (Daniel) Bird was their best player on the field and is probably the best player in the league. He is the difference in that
MATCH OFFICIAL – Anthony Kabbout
Kariong 0 – 3 Kanwal
Kanwal gets back to winning ways and guarantees their spot in the finals after a clean sheet performance away from home against the Cougars.
After a disappointing result last weekend, Kanwal was keen to get back on the pitch in hopes of cementing a top-four finish. On a bumpy pitch, neither team was able to gain any dominance in the early stages of the game but an error from the Kariong keeper allowed Kanwal to open the scoring after 25-minutes of play. A cross from Zac Jonson was dropped by the opposition goalkeeper and Logan Moore was on hand to tap in and give his side a 1-0 lead. This gave Kanwal the momentum and for the remainder of the half Kanwal would create several chances, but some wayward shooting prevented Kanwal taking advantage of this momentum. However, Kanwal would eventually get their second before halftime when club captain Kyle Price headed home from a corner in the 33rd minute to double the Bull’s lead heading into the break.
The second half began with a Kariong side desperate for a result and crucial points creating a few chances of their own but unable to capitalise at their home ground. A long ball from Kanwal keeper Kurtis Mohan fell to Adam Kwasnik as he was able to turn his defender, found some open space and finish nicely into the bottom corner to solidify Kanwal’s 3-0 win.
Ryan Walker was happy with the result and more importantly another clean sheet. “It was a difficult pitch to play on, but the boys went out and did the job and came away with a good result. Our goal of top four is now achieved, now to push for a top-two finish. Lot’s for the boys to still play for and lots for the squad to play for with a top-four finish in all three grades in our reach.”
MATCH OFFICIAL – Sean Lacy
Golden Boot Standings –
| 13 | Adam Woodbine (Killarney) |
| 9 | Chris Lennon (Kariong), Mahkye Brownlie (Terrigal), Tyler Wade (Avoca) |
| 8 | Keith Gumbs (Southern), Stuart Adams (Terrigal), Daniel Bird (Terrigal) |
| 7 | Jason Cozens (Kanwal) |
Point Table –
Club Championship –
Division 1
Round 2 Results –
Points Table –
Club Championship –
