Match of the Round
The Entrance 2 – 2 Wyoming
Coming off a fantastic win in their first game of the season, Wyoming looked to keep their winning start alive when they travelled to Pat Morley for the round 3 match of the round.
The match started very evenly between these two young sides. The first real chance of the game saw Wyoming take an early lead after Zac Hall found his teammate Tom Carbone with a great through ball which Tom nicely slotted home from an acute angle to give Wyoming a 1-0 lead.
Less than two minutes after conceding, the Entrance hit back with a goal of their own after a throw-in from Blake Stuart found the head of veteran Zac Anastas who perfectly flicked the ball to Spencer Wharton who empathically finished to take the score level at 1-1.
Both sides had a few half chances to end the half but neither side could capitalise as the score remained locked at 1-1 after the opening 45 minutes.
The Entrance came out in the second period and took the lead after a brilliant counterattack. Wyoming had a freekick in a promising area that was well defended by the Reddies as they quickly transitioned up the field with a swift counterattack that was finished by Entrance saviour Corey Jones whose left foot strike gave the opposition goalkeeper zero chance and the Reddies went ahead 2-1.
However, this lead would only last about 10 minutes as Wyoming were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Entrance box. Up stepped Jared McNee who for the second week in a row slotted the ball into the top corner to give his side a crucial goal.
The last half an hour of play was extremely back and forth as both teams went for the win in the hopes of claiming all three points but neither side was able to find the back of the net as the score finished 2-2.
“It was a fair result and was played in good spirits. Great to have Olly in the opposite dugout again. As for us, our captain Mitch Meredith was outstanding, really holding the back four together,” spoke Wyoming head coach Ian McAndrew when reflecting on the fixture.
Match Official – Luke Dunkerley
Terrigal 2 – 0 Woy Woy
After a disappointing round 2 in which the O’lads went down 3-2, it was imperative that Terrigal bounced back this weekend as they hosted the newly promoted side, Woy Woy.
Duffy’s Oval hosted this contest as Terrigal got to play at home for the first time in the 2023 MPL Season.
Woy Woy almost shocked the home side as a very early chance after great build-up play out wide from Matt Jacobsen saw his opportunity go begging.
Terrigal took control of the game early as the first half saw them take a 1-0 lead through a Stu Adams finish. The goal was set up down the left side and after some great combination play, the former two-time MPL player of the year finished low past the keeper to open his goal-scoring account for 2023.
Despite a number of clear one on one chances at goal, Terrigal could not extend their lead after some wasteful finishing saw the home side go into the sheds 1-0 up at the break.
After a very positive chat at the break where Neal Morris discussed a few minor things to touch on, the second half saw the Roosters playing consistent football but just without luck on their side to find the back of the net.
The second half was much of a repeat as the first with Terrigal controlling the majority of the contest. Midway through the second period, Ben Flakus was played in behind their defence and slotted home to double the O’lads lead and give his side some breathing space.
The contest was very scrappy in parts as Terrigal failed to end the match with all eleven of their men on the pitch as Trent Vegter picked up a second yellow card and Terrigal were forced to finish the match with a player down.
Woy Woy battled hard for the entire contest but could not break down the resilient Terrigal defence as the score remained 2-0 and Terrigal secured their second win of the season.
Terrigal coach Pete Edwards commended the opposition after the contest for not giving up. “Full credit to Woy Woy for pushing to the final whistle.”
“Once again we turned up to play and we were in the game for the whole ninety minutes yet again, but it just wasn’t meant to be as we fell short on our good chances,” stated Woy Woy coach Neal Morris. “Our first win is nearing as we now get prepared for the Entrance. Terrigal are a quality opposition and I’m very proud of the boy’s discipline and consistency of how they have been playing.”
Match Official – Damien Bury
Killarney 2 – 2 Berkeley Vale
It was a game of high intensity and high drama this past Sunday as Berkeley Vale travelled to Edsacc Oval to face reigning League Champions Killarney District.
Once again it was Killarney who gave away an early lead after a mistake in their defence allowed Berkeley’s Jakeb Brownlow to take advantage and score first to give his side a 1-0 lead.
As they so often do, Killarney was able to hit back and grab a goal of their own through Tim Knight whose classy outside of the foot effort on goal from outside of the box found the back of the net.
After 45 minutes of intense play in the opening half, neither side was able to pounce on their opportunities as the score remained 1-1.
A late challenge inside the box saw Berkeley Vale awarded a penalty midway through the second period. Goal scorer Jakeb Brownlow stepped up for his side and was able to reinstate Berkeley’s lead after an extremely well-taken penalty.
Five minutes later Killarney were awarded a penalty of their own, 2022 Player of the Year Adam Smith looked to get his side back on level terms but was denied by Wombat’s goalkeeper Steven Grimmitt who made a brilliant save to ensure his side kept their 2-1 lead.
With time running out it looked like Berkeley Vale might take all three points home after Killarney had a goal ruled out.
However, a late chance saw Tim Knight’s header ricochet off the crossbar and over the line only for play to continue for an intense period of time before the equaliser was eventually given which saw the Terriers split the points with Berkeley Vale.
“Happy with the fight back but we have to stop giving away silly goals,” vocalised Killarney’s Chris Ackerley after full-time.
Match Official – Mark Roberts
East Gosford 0 – 3 Southern & Ettalong
The SEUFC Lions travelled to Hylton Moore Oval to take on the newly promoted East Gosford Rams. Dale Eggleton and his team knew that they would have to be close to their best after East Gosford’s positive start to the season in Round 2 against Killarney Vale.
Dale Eggleton looking at developing his young guns opted to give Lachlan Rousell, Charlie Polson & Ryan Brown starts whilst keeping Keith Gumbs, Matt Page, and James Steer on the bench with Anzac Days Premier Autocare Association Cup Final in mind.
Both teams started strongly and were sharing an equal amount of possession. As the half progressed it was the Lions starting to create a number of open play and set piece chances.
In the 11th minute after some great lead-up work from Ryan Brown, Brown found Jacob Lepre on the edge of the box who almost added to his season tally by rattling the crossbar.
The Rams on the half-hour mark created their first clear opportunity on goal with a shot from the edge of the box that barely missed the target.
The Rams working hard in defence were hoping to finish the half all square. In the 45+ minute, Lachlan Rousell making the most of his starting opportunity made a great overlapping run down the right flank, combining well with Jacob Lepre and rounding the keeper before slotting home his first goal of the season and giving the Lions a 1 – 0 lead at the break.
The second half saw Ricky Sansom’s East Gosford team start with more purpose and started to apply more pressure on the Lion’s Defense. The game opened up and it was apparent there appeared to be more goals in this game.
Once again in the 57th minute, it was Matt Caisley from long range, outdoing his Round 2 strike rifling his shot into the top corner giving the Lions a 2 – 0 lead.
On the 60th minute mark, Dale Eggleton went to his bench introducing Keith Gumbs and young gun Calvin Edwards and it was Edwards who made an immediate impact causing the Rams defence concerns with multiple attacking raids down the left side.
The 63rd minute saw the Ram’s best opportunity of the game when a cross found an unmarked Rams attacker at the far post, only to see his header directed straight at the SEUFC keeper.
East Gosford pushed players forward chasing a goal to get them back into the game as both attacks were enjoying numerous opportunities.
In the 83rd minute, a long ball from Todd Balneaves found Ryan Brown in space and after a swift passing movement between Polson & Gumbs, Ryan Brown fired home his first goal of the season, securing a 3 – 0 victory for the Lions.
“Congratulations to Ricky and his squad today. The score line didn’t truly reflect the game today with East Gosford pushing us all the way to the final whistle. I’m certain they will pick up many points over the season, especially at their home ground where they take full advantage of their wide pitch. I’m extremely pleased with our young lads today who all put in strong performances and allowed us to lessen the workload of some players with the Association Cup in mind,” spoke Dale Eggleton
Match Official – David Richardson
Avoca 2 – 4 Kanwal
Ryan Walker’s Kanwal travelled to Erina High School looking to pick up back-to-back wins as they faced an Avoca side looking to get their first win of the season for what would turn out to be an entertaining 6-goal affair.
The game got off to a quick start, with both teams looking to make an early impression. Kanwal found the breakthrough in the 8th minute, with Brad Porter finding some space in behind the Avoca defence before some clever footwork created enough space to chip the keeper with a delicate finish.
Avoca hit back in the 24th minute, with a well-worked goal calmly slotted home by Cooper Ebrington to level the scores.
The first half continued to be end-to-end, with both teams creating chances but the scoreline remained unchanged. Kurtis Mahon, in the Kanwal goal, made a number of impressive saves to keep his side in the game as Avoca felt they could have easily entered the break with the lead.
Those missed chances would catch up with the Sharks as Kanwal came out firing in the second half.
The Bulls attacking intent paid off in the 53rd minute when Bayley Appo danced between two defenders before firing a shot from outside the 18 and into the bottom right corner to give the visitors the lead.
In the 61st minute, Kanwal extended their lead, with Callum Dunkerley’s corner finding the head of James Scott who nodded the ball through the keeper’s legs and into the net.
Kanwal continued to dominate proceedings and their efforts were rewarded just 2 minutes later. A nice 1-2 put Callum Dunkerley into space down the left hand side and he fizzed a pinpoint cross into the box which Rorey Rizzi slotted calmly across the face of the keeper.
Both teams kept playing positively and creating chances, but it was Avoca who grabbed a late consolation goal in the 88th minute, with a cross falling to the feet of their number 10, Jesse Parnell, who slotted home with authority.
Despite the late goal from Avoca, Kanwal held on for a deserved 4-2 victory.
Ryan Walker was delighted with his side’s performance. “I thought we played some fantastic football today and created a lot of good chances,” said Walker. “The boys showed great character and determination to come away with the win, and I’m really pleased with the way we played in the second half.”
“Credit to Kanwal, especially for their second-half performance,” stated Avoca coach Neal Hide
Match Official – Kyle Hockings
Golden Boot Standings –
| 3 | Jacob Lepre (Southern), Jakeb Brownlow (Berkeley Vale), Ben Flakus (Terrigal), Matt Caisley (Southern) |
| 2 | Adam Smith (Killarney), Keith Gumbs (Southern), Logan Moore (Kanwal), Daniel Bird (Terrigal), Brad Porter (Kanwal), Stuart Adams (Terrigal), Keith Gumbs (Southern) |
Points Table –
Club Championship –
DIVISION 1
Round 3 Results –
Points Table –
Club Championship –
