Southern & Ettalong v Killarney
After a week away from MPL football, we are back this weekend with this blockbuster match headlining round 10 as first-place Killarney travels to the peninsular to face second-placed Southern.
Although there was no MPL football last weekend, multiple players from both Southern and Killarney featured for their respective sides in the North vs South clash that saw Terriers head coach Chris Ackerley lead North to a 5-3 victory over the South.
“The weekend saw several of our players involved in the North v South representative fixture and others having a break but now it’s back to business and focusing on the second round starting on Sunday against Killarney,” voiced Lions head coach Dale Eggleton.
Despite their terrific form of late, Southern will enter this weekend’s fixture as the underdogs against the six-time league champions.
Southern have only lost one of their nine fixtures to start their season with that defeat coming at the hands of Berkeley Vale back in round 4.
Since then, the Lions have hardly put a foot wrong, winning their last five games and playing some terrific football as they currently sit just one point behind the league leaders Killarney.
“This weekend is an opportunity to see where we are at, knowing there is still a long way to go with so many scenarios that can play out in our squad and other teams throughout the rest of the season,” spoke Dale when asked if his side must win this weekend if they wish to be crowned 2023 MPL League Champions.
Considering Killarney have not lost a winter competition fixture in over two years, a determined Southern side will be focused and determined to pick up all three points to take them to the top of the ladder.
With a week off to rest and manage a few minor injuries, the dangerous duo of Jack Ellwood and Jacob Lepre with be looking to take control of this game for the home side and continue their hot run of form from previous weeks.
When questioned about the opposition, Dale spoke extremely highly of the Terriers. “Killarney have been the greatest challenge to all sides over the past 8-9 seasons.”
“They always compete for 90 minutes and are dangerous all over the park in all situations, so the challenge is to stay focused in all aspects of our game for the entire game if we want to give ourselves the best chance of beating a team that haven’t lost a competition game in over two seasons.”
Just like the opposition coach, Killarney’s Chris Ackerley also stated that the week break also served as a positive for his squad. “The weekend off for most of the squad besides the north representatives has been good to refresh & rest the niggles that every squad is having.”
These two sides kicked off the 2023 MPL competition back in round 1 and on that day Killarney hosted the Lions at Edsacc Oval.
On that day The Lions stunned the home side early, going up 2-0 inside the first ten minutes thanks to a brace from the almighty Keith Gumbs.
But Killarney’s championship character showed as they clawed their way back and managed to score three goals to take a 3-2 lead. With only minutes left, Southern found an equaliser through a Jacob Lepre free kick which was struck into the top corner as the two sides shared the points in a 3-3 draw.
Both sides will take plenty of negatives and positives away from that fixture as Chris Ackerley states they will need to be much better defensively. “We need definitely to start better than last time when we were two goals down within ten minutes. I would like to think that we have tightened up defensively since that first game of the season.”
After the first nine rounds, Killarney once again remain unbeaten as they sit on top of the ladder looking to win their seventh consecutive league championship in 2023. However, Killarney will need to be at their very best this Sunday if they wish to keep that unbeaten record intact.
Ackerley also spoke on the opposition this weekend and what his side must do to secure the win and take those vital three points back to Killarney. “Southern are an extremely good side who are flying at the moment. Not just up front back their midfield are regularly on the scoresheet which will have to be watched closely.”
“We must be disciplined in everything we do as well as taking any chances that come our way. It will be an extremely hard game between two sides who have started the season well.”
Match Official – Anthony Kabbout
All Round 10 Fixtures –
