Match of the Round
Woy Woy 1 – 3 Southern & Ettalong
Southern-Ettalong experienced their first peninsula derby for some seasons when they took on Woy Woy at Austin Butler Oval this past Sunday for the round 9 MPL match of the round.
The Lions knew that despite Woy Woy’s position on the competition table it would be a battle for ninety minutes which proved to be true.
The opening 20 minutes of the game saw Woy Woy start defensively strong, forcing their opponents to shoot from a distance that wasn’t troubling the hosts.
At the 25th minute mark Southern-Ettalong we’re able to open up the structured Woy Woy defence when Jacob Lepre slipped a through ball to Ryan Brown who in turn put a well-timed pass to striker Keith Gumbs who finished with a left foot strike past the Woy Woy keeper to open the scoring.
Three minutes later the Lions doubled their lead when Jacob Lepre found the head of Jack Ellwood from a corner which Ellwood finished with authority and added to his recent goal-scoring tally.
In the last 10 minutes of the first half, Woy Woy lifted and began to start completing their plays as Lachie Russell created some great play down the right side and put in a pinpoint cross for Nathan Ward who slotted home a great goal.
Once again everything was positive during the halftime break for the home side with Woy Woy coach Neal Morris just adjusting and fixing a few things up.
The second half started much the same as the first stanza with Southern & Ettalong’s passing game trying to open up Woy Woy who in turn were unsettling their opponent’s rhythm with a stop-start approach with plenty of free kicks and throw-ins.
Southern-Ettalong managed to find a way through in the 63rd minute when a one-two passing sequence between Ryan Brown and Keith Gumbs saw Brown finish to extend his side’s lead to 3-1 which is how the derby ended.
“The game was always going to be a test because it was a Peninsula Derby and because most of the squad had travelled to CommBank Stadium to support the Mariners in the Grand Final win the night before,” voiced Lions coach Dale Eggleton.
Dale also added, “I am impressed by the consistency in our performances this season no matter our lineup and the way the boys support each other on and off the field. Woy Woy has some ability in their side and a tenacious attitude which will hold them in good stead for the second half of the season.”
Neal Morris also spoke on the opposition when reflecting on the game, “I thought Southern were a very quick side and were very clinical in many areas.”
“I thought we went ok, but we need to get better in key moments of our games and be more urgent on the ball which hurt us. We look forward to eleven-grade players back in our next game against East Gosford, which has hurt us over the last six weeks.”
Match Official – Kyle Hockings
The Entrance 0 – 6 Terrigal
Coming off their best performance off the season, The Entrance were hoping to re-create that this past Sunday as they welcomed defending premiers Terrigal who were desperate for a win.
Terrigal started the game with good energy and took control of the match from the get-go.
The breakthrough ultimately came from an own goal after a cross from Mark Partridge took a deflection from an Entrance defender and dropped over the keeper for the game’s first goal.
The second goal was a brilliantly taken effort from Mahkye Brownlie. A pinpoint pass from Mark Partridge again drop onto Mahkye’s chest who with his first touch pushed the ball past the centre-backs and then fired home against his old club, doubling his team’s lead to 2-0.
Just before half time, another quality play of football finished with a good cross finding Tion Gerasimou at the back post who headed home for his 1st goal of the season as the O’lads entered the break with a 3-0 lead.
Terrigal came out in the second half with even more desire to put the game to rest. The next goal came early in the second half with a mistake from the Entrance defence allowing Ben Flakus to get in behind and finish.
Soon after, Ben again got in behind down the right side and fired past the keeper’s far post to make it 5-0 for the visitors.
Wrapping up the day, Kassidy Lalor cut inside from the left wing and curled the ball past the keeper to get himself on the score sheet as the contest finished 6-0.
“Overall, we put on a commanding performance against a young Entrance side,” uttered Terrigal’s Pete Edwards. “I was delighted with our performance. We really took control of the game and moved the ball with purpose and speed. Defensively we looked much calmer, and it was great to see us finally get rewarded for the chances we created.”
“The lads have been playing some really good football this year but are often let down by silly mistakes or a lack of taking chances. Today everything fell into place. It was important for us to go into the break with good positivity.”
Pete also spoke on the opposition who gave it their all until the final whistle. “Credit to the young Entrance side who kept battling and showing good promise for the future. A red card for some reckless tackling from one of their players didn’t help their cause and was the only main disappointing part of the day.”
Match Official – Russell Kirkland
Avoca 1 – 3 Killarney
Coming off a terrific comeback result the previous week, Avoca looked to use that momentum when they returned home to their new ‘Shark Cage’ Paul Oval and welcomed the defending six-time league champions, Killarney District.
After a shaky opening couple of minutes from the visitors, Killarney were able to regather their heads and with some great link-up play down the left side, and nice one-touch passing, Ethan Hall score the first goal in just the fifth minute of play.
The rest of the first half saw both teams battle in the middle of the park with each having half chances to score, the visitors maintained the better of the field position but could not double their lead as the two sides went into the sheds at halftime with the game still at 1-0.
The second half saw Avoca come out strong again, but a good attacking break down the right side this time saw Blake Silvers cross into Cam Brown who finished nicely to make it 2-0 in the 49th minute.
The game started to open up after that, with Avoca working hard to try and get back into the game, and Killarney also having their chances too as Avoca extended more bodies forward.
Some good individual work in the box by substitute Andy Klijn to round the Avoca keeper and score past a defender made it 3-0 late in the game.
Avoca were awarded a penalty in injury time which was well taken by Tyler Wade whose effort into the side net beat opposition goalkeeper Declan Drake as the full-time whistle was blown moments later and league leaders Killarney walked away with a deserved 3-1 win.
“A very pleasing result for us considering the good form Avoca has been in over the last few weeks,” said Warren Stephenson who was filling in as head coach for the absent Chris Ackerley.
Sharks Neal Hide had nothing but praise for the opposition after the game. “Huge credit to Killarney. As ever, they set the standard that all MPL clubs aspire to. They’re well organised, tough, quick with many high-quality players.”
“Avoca pushed hard and will learn from this game, congratulations to Warren & his team. A fully deserved win by them.”
Match Official – Miles Allen-Scott
Berkeley Vale 1 – 2 Kanwal
Coming off a poor performance and facing an undefeated Berkeley Vale it would be a tough task for Kanwal, but a change in tactics and a change in attitude across the playing group saw a close game played at Mingara on Sunday afternoon.
It was an even start, but a Kanwal goal kick in the 11th minute was flicked on by Mason Lavery and Kanwal’s Logan Moore was first to react beating the Berkeley defence to the ball and calmly slotting home to give Kanwal an early 1-0 lead.
Berkeley Vale had the bulk of possession in the first half and had a number of good chances, but it was some committed and desperate defence that stopped Berkeley from equalising.
However, Berkeley was rewarded in the 35th minute with a well-worked goal that was finished by Tristan Bellemore and the score would remain locked at 1-1 at halftime.
The second half began with no team gaining dominance. Although Berkeley had the bulk of possession once again, the Kanwal defence were able to limit their chances and it would be a number of consecutive corners for Kanwal that would lead to Kanwal’s 2nd goal.
A Brad Porter corner was met at the near post by Bayley Appo who made no mistake with a powerful header that gave the Berkely keeper no chance as the Bulls took a 2-1 lead.
Kanwal were able to hold Berkeley out for the remainder of the game and walked away with a fighting 2-1 win.
Ryan Walker was delighted with the boy’s effort and commitment. ‘A gritty win today, the boys stuck to the game plan and brought back that Kanwal spirit that has been lacking in the last few weeks. Everybody was amazing today, but special praise to Kurtis Mahon who was a rock in front of goals today.
Match Official – Hugo Fonseca
East Gosford 4 – 1 Wyoming
Having secured their first win of the MPL season in round 8, the Rams looked to keep the momentum going this weekend in front of a home crowd when they welcomed a desperate Wyoming Tigers who were also after the crucial three points.
The spectators were treated to a thrilling first half of football that involved five goals inside the first 45 minutes.
East Gosford were first on the scoresheet, but Wyoming was able to bounce back on level terms thanks to a goal from competition veteran Darren Cooper.
Goals to David McKellar, and Mitchell Wilson-Thomas and a brace from Oliver Vanderslot saw the home side take a 4-1 lead into the break after the Rams took over and found the back of the net three consecutive times to end the first half.
After a clinical first half, neither side could find a goal in the second period as East Gosford recorded their second win of the year, climbing out of the relegation zone on the Club Championship table for the first time this season.
Match Official – Anthony Kabbout
Golden Boot Standings –
| 7 | Tim Knight (Killarney), Jacob Lepre (Southern), Keith Gumbs (Southern), Logan Moore (Kanwal) |
| 6 | Charlie Entwistle (East Gosford), Cooper Ebrington (Avoca), Andy Klijn (Killarney), Ben Flakus (Terrigal) |
| 5 | Jakeb Brownlow (Berkeley Vale), Nathan Baker (Woy Woy), Tyler Wade (Avoca), Matt Caisley (Southern) |
Points Table –
Club Championship –
Division 1
Round 9 Results –
Points Table –
Club Championship –
