Avoca v Woy Woy
Both Avoca and Woy Woy enter this weekend with just four competition points to their name as these two sides will look to pick up their second win of the year in the round 7 match of the round.
Avoca opened their year facing two of the competition title contenders in Southern & Ettalong, and Kanwal. The Sharks conceded four goals in both fixtures which saw them bottom of the ladder after the opening two rounds.
However, Avoca turned things around in round 3 and got their first win of the year after defeating the newly promoted side of East Gosford.
Avoca then followed their first win of the season with a draw against Wyoming in a fixture that Avoca would have left extremely disappointed in their missed chances which would cost them taking home all three points.
Unfortunately for Avoca, they could not keep their run of good form going last weekend when they travelled to Mingara Club Oval and suffered their biggest loss of the year to Berkeley Vale (5-1).
“Obviously we are not in the position after five games that we expected to be. Morale is still high, and we believe better results will soon be achieved,” commented Sharks head coach Neal Hide
“I think the standard of the MPL improved every year and the all-round standard is the best that I have known, whilst coaching at this level. Every team has improved, and I genuinely believe that any team can beat any other team.”
In good news, this weekend marks the first time that Avoca’s MPL side will get to play at their new home in Paul Oval.
With Neal away this week, Sean Bermingham will be taking the reins of the Shark’s first grade. “No doubt this week against Woy Woy will be a physical contest knowing that they’ll be eager to take us to the edge,” spoke Sean.
“We’re hoping that our first game at our new Shark Cage will be a positive one with the boys eager to make it our fortress. Playing a great passing game will be the key and converting our opportunities.”
With their only win of 2023 so far coming against newly promoted East Gosford, Avoca will be hoping they can formulate the same fate against the other newly promoted team this Weekend in Woy Woy and hop into touching distance of the top four.
Confidence and team spirit will be running high for Woy Woy on the back of their first win last weekend since re-joining the top-flight competition in 2023.
It seemed to be only a matter of time before Neal Morris and his side picked up a win in First Grade. Last weekend Woy Woy hosted Wyoming last weekend at Austin Butler Oval and thanks to a brace from Brady Holmes and a well-taken penalty from Nathan Baker, the Roosters secured the three points.
Now unbeaten in their last two games, head coach Neal Morris has stated that the team spirit is extremely high within the Woy Woy camp.
“After our first win of the season against Wyoming, the morale in our team is at a very high level as the boys are so pleased that all their hard work that has been put in week after week has finally paid off and really kicked our season off.”
It usually takes some time for promoted teams to get accustomed to the pace and standard of the MPL competition as Neal also spoke on his side’s transition from Division 1 to MPL. “The standard of competition in the premier league is of high-quality standard and a really big step up from Div 1. The pace of the game is really suiting our style of play every week.”
Last weekend also marked the first time this season that Woy Woy were able to concede less than two goals in a game.
With their opponents coming off a below-par run of games where they have only scored once in their last two fixtures, Woy Woy will be emphasising the importance of not conceding easy goals as they look to keep their hot form in front of goal heading into the weekend.
Coming off their biggest loss of the year, Neal Morris is prepared for Avoca to try to turn it around this week as he states his side will be prepared for anything and everything.
“We anticipate Avoca to come out firing this week after their heavy defeat last week, it’s always a mountain to climb after playing their teams, but we will be ready for the challenge and anything they throw at us.”
“Key for us on Sunday will be keeping our consistency in key areas that we have excelled in up to this point. Patience, disciplined football and playing for each other till the end no matter what.”
Match Official – Trent Dickeson
All Round 7 Fixtures –
