Match of the Round
East Gosford 5 – 2 Umina
With Umina coming off a draw with the league leaders Terrigal and East Gosford coming off a bye, the round 10 match of the round was shaping up to be a blockbuster between these two proven WPL sides.
A slight tactical change from their usual formation saw East Gosford start the game on top and create multiple chances inside the opening 5 minutes.
The early pressure on Umina’s goal paid dividends in the 10th minute as Jacinta Ling found herself on the end of a Tahlor Thackray cross and made no mistake with her chance to open the scoring.
Despite going a goal down and not having the most positive start, Umina replied instantly as they were awarded a corner which was headed home by Kirby Squires to level the score at 1-1 after 13 minutes.
Looking to reinstate their lead, the attack of East Gosford connected well all over the park. This connection continued to grow as Tahlor Thackray was able to score East Gosford’s second goal.
Once again, Umina replied instantly thanks to a long-range strike from Kate Styles who put the game back on level terms at 2-2.
Tahlor Thackray was once again involved in East Gosford’s next goal as she appeared to have the ball on a string, evading multiple defenders to score a great goal to put the Rams up 3-2 at halftime.
East Gosford were forced to make some changes at the break, but the substitutions picked up where the team left off, connecting multiple passes that lead to plenty of attempts on the Umina goal.
Tahlor Thackray also picked up where she left off, beating two players and finding the back of the net to grab her third of the evening and give her side a crucial 4-2 lead.
To round off a perfect day for East Gosford, Kelly Hogan secured East Gosford’s fifth and final goal of the day as the Rams jump back into second as they keep their unbeaten start to the season alive.
Rams coach Jorge Chavez was ecstatic with his team after Sunday’s win. “I’m super proud of our squad and club, with our two first-choice goalkeepers out we have had to rely on people playing up in goals and Sunday was no exception with Emere Bell playing both reserve grade and first grade.”
“I tell everyone you play your best football when you are enjoying it and we definitely saw that on Sunday with our girls going out there and showing that they love the game and playing it the way it needs to be played and the rewards came.”
Jorge also added, “Full credit to the Umina girls, they came out and play hard. A few of them picked up early injuries and played the entire match. They are a great squad, and they are going to be there or about at the end of the season.”
Steve Donaldson of Umina also spoke post-match as he acknowledge the quality of the opposition as he stated his team is still yet to reach full strength. “We pencilled this game in way back as hopefully the game we will have a full first team available for the whole regular season. But that fell apart with both Bella and Freyja not being fit. Disappointing, but it looks like finals time will be our time for that.”
“Congratulations to East Gosford though. They definitely turned up, and we simply didn’t. We were way off the mark Sunday. We couldn’t string a pass together, but somehow saw ourselves only 3-2 down at the half which shows we can still show it up against the best, even at our worst. A lot to work to do but still a long way to go,” voiced Steve.
Match Official – David Hughes
Terrigal 2 – 0 Kanwal
Duffys Oval was the venue for this round 10 clash that promised so much with Terrigal looking to keep their unbeaten run going whilst the visitors Kanwal were looking to chase a top-two spot.
The game started fairly evenly with possession and field position being shared, but it didn’t take Terrigal long to gain the ascendancy and dominate the game.
The more Terrigal dominated, Kanwal retreated further and further behind the ball making it extremely difficult for them to apply any pressure to the Terrigal backline.
Terrigal were organised and efficient in their gameplay. In particular, Terrigal dominated in their own defensive third, winning and playing out with ease, creating numerous forward play opportunities for their attackers to pounce on.
In the 28th minute, Terrigal combined on the outside of the area, with almost every player in their attacking third sharing a role in a brilliant team goal, which was finished off at the far post by Candace Phelan to put Terrigal ahead.
It was this patient, exciting style of play that would see Terrigal dominate Kanwal’s defence for the remainder of the half, but the Bulls’ defence held them out to enter the break with the game remaining at 1-0.
The second half saw Kanwal lift their game and take it to the competition leaders. The Bulls forced Terrigal to scramble on several occasions however they couldn’t find an equaliser and eventually the heavy toll of all the defending in the first half showed as they started to tire.
Terrigal looked to their substitute bench to provide some energy in the fresh legs of Gab Blanch and Abbey Kitchener, which proved effective in Terrigal’s momentum for the remainder of the half.
In the 74th minute, Caitlin McMahon surged down the left wing, beating her defender, and cutting back to the feet of Gab Blanch, who shot from the top of the box, extending Terrigal’s lead to 2-0.
Kanwal found a second wind late in the half and tested Terrigal’s defence on occasion, though without reward, seeing another 3 points awarded to Terrigal on their home soil.
“Today was a really enjoyable and competitive game of football. Both sides were up for it and the intensity of the game really showed that. Kanwal asked questions of us, they have a strong forward pack and we had to work hard to get the result,” spoke Gab Blanch.
“For my girls to come and do what they did today, it was an absolute pleasure to watch. We prepared this week by focussing on the finer things, keeping it simple, execution of passing, winning and keeping the ball, and I feel we more than executed.”
“Coming into a two-week break off the back of this win is truly fitting. The girls deserve the break, to let their hair down after showing dedication and discipline to the expectations we’ve placed on the program this year. I am really happy with how we are tracking and loving the growth we are seeing across the group,” added Gab.
“Congratulations to Gab and her team, they were simply too good today,” voiced Bulls coach Ben Raychaudhuri.
“After a disappointing first half, it was encouraging to see Kanwal play the way we can early in the second half but the effort the girls put in defending in the first half showed late as we ran out of legs,” voiced Ben.
Match Official – Troy Ward
Kincumber 2 – 0 Killarney
The last time these two sides face it was an extremely close contest that ended 3-2 to Kincumber, with Killarney picking up their first point of the season last year the Terriers were hoping to build on that in round 10 and pick up a victory against the Roos.
It was a poor start from the victors that saw Kincumber take an early 2-goal advantage thanks to a Bree Josling brace.
The remainder of the first half was a back-and-forth contest that neither side could capitalise on as the score remained 2-0 at the break.
Looking to salvage anything from the contest, a determined Killarney side came out the stronger of the two teams but again failed to convert on any of their opportunities.
The game was end to end and as neither side could find the back of the net in the second period and the home side Kincumber recorded their third win of the season.
“A very poor start to the game cost us but very pleased we didn’t give up,” declared Terriers coach Adam Tait when looking back on the game.
Match Official – Con Pantos
Golden Boot Standings –
| 13 | Jordan Evans (Kanwal) |
| 11 | Kayla Vanderfield (East Gosford) |
| 10 | Taylor Thackray (East Gosford) |
| 9 | Candice Phelan (Terrigal) |
| 7 | Gabrielle Blanch (Terrigal), Kelly Hogan (East Gosford) |
Points Table –
Club Championship –
