Match of the Round
Berkeley Vale 0 – 3 Killarney
Killarney extends their lead at the top of the table to nine points after picking up their tenth win of the season against a subpar Berkeley outfit this past Sunday for the round 12 match of the round.
In a game that was shaping up to be a close and exciting contest finished with Killarney putting on their season-best performance as Berkeley Vale struggled to live up to the heights of the current league leaders.
18 minutes into the contest Darcy Wright cut inside from the left-hand side and curled a shot into the top corner, giving the opposition keeper zero chance as Killarney took a 1-0 lead.
Moments later the Terrier’s lead was doubled when a surging Will Hamilton made a terrific run into the box before being brought down with the resulting penalty once again being confidently dispatched by Harry Fountain.
Berkely Vale had a golden chance to grab one before the halftime break as Kane Woolston found himself one-on-one with the opposition goalkeeper but could not capitalise after rounding the keeper with the goal at his mercy.
Berkeley Vale started the second half much better, enjoying more of the possession but unable to mount any successful attacks on the Killarney goal.
20 minutes into the second half a free kick wide on the right taken by Lachy Wallace delivered a good ball which captain Sam Kirk met powerfully with his head to score his first goal of the season and to take the game to 3-0 where it finished.
“I’m very pleased with the performance especially the shape we kept in being able to deny Berkeley from scoring. Next up Terrigal in two weeks as we hopefully get a few more players back from injuries and sickness,” commented Chris Ackerley of Killarney.
Mark Pratt also spoke on his team’s performance post-game. “Probably one of the poorest performances by a Berkeley Vale team against Killarney in my time at the club and one that the players will need to dust off before we play SEU in two weeks.”
Match Official – Luke Dunkerley
Southern & Ettalong 1 – 2 East Gosford
Southern-Ettalong suffered their third loss of the season on Sunday and alarmingly they have all been at their home at James Brown Oval when they went down to a brave and resilient East Gosford side 2-1.
Following a disappointing result against Killarney last week, East Gosford were determined to come out this week and get a result against a top-four club.
The Rams lost 3-0 in the first encounter when finding their feet in the premier league, and started the game like they meant business this past Sunday, dominating the first half and the scoreboard reflected that.
15 mins into the game after some good pressure and a turnover by the home side, Lucas Dominello was put through by a great through ball to break the line, rounding the keeper to make it 1-0.
East Gosford continued to press and work hard until a long ball was put through by the opposition which the keeper came out to clear and collided with the Southern striker resulting in the East Gosford keeper being bought off with badly bruised shins.
This didn’t deter the Rams as they continued to press and a great ball low into the box saw Ciaran Simmons brought down and a penalty awarded to the visitors.
Southern’s keeper Alex Wardle saved well but only manage to parry the ball back to David McKellar who missed the penalty but made no mistake with the rebound, doubling East Gosford’s lead to 2-0.
Ten minutes into the second half Jack Ellwood received his marching for incurring a second yellow card and Southern’s challenge became that bit harder. But despite being down to 10 men, for the last 35 minutes, the Southern-Ettalong side played their best football.
A switch in attack from Jacob Lepre to Wyatt Elliott who played a well-timed pass to Charlie Polson who finished well to reduce the score to 2-1.
Despite more chances and a huge cry for their own penalty Southern couldn’t come up with an equalizer as East Gosford held out to take all three points back to Hylton Moore.
“We are going through a form slump,” declared Dale Eggleton. “Our ability hasn’t gone anywhere but our performances have dropped off and we now need to work hard to turn it around.”
Dale added, “Hopefully the break is going to benefit us, and we can take advantage of identifying where we need to improve, freshen up and be ready to attack the last six rounds of the season. Well done to East Gosford who are reaping the benefits of working hard for each other and believing in themselves.”
“As expected, it was a frantic last twenty mins with eight minutes of overtime played and continued end to end but this is where we showed what we have learnt this year with far more discipline, fight and determination we held on to the take to points,” voiced a proud Ricky Sansom.
“A well-deserved win from a team who is growing in stature every week and showing this is where we belong.”
Match Official – Damien Bury
Kanwal 1 – 0 Avoca
A brave and determined Kanwal held on to their 1-goal advantage over visitors Avoca to secure their first clean sheet victory of the season as the Bulls keep pressure on the top four.
It was a very back-and-forth opening 45 minutes as both teams looked to gain the upper hand. The away side Avoca enjoyed more possession as Kanwal came out in a defensive-minded and deep-lying set-up.
Despite having more of the ball, Avoca could not penetrate the resilient defence of Kanwal as the contest remained a stalemate after the opening 45 minutes of action.
Kanwal’s patience and gameplan finally paid off in the second half when they were able to take the lead thanks to Joey Liddle who picked a good time to get his first goal of the season, heading back across goal from a pinpoint Mason Lavery cross.
Avoca created multiple half chances in looking to salvage at least a point from the fixture but failed to trouble the Kanwal GK, thus ensuring a Kanwal victory.
Neal Hide spoke on the opposition after the defeat. “Credit to Kanwal for their organisation and determination; Avoca pushed hard, but, as ever this season, failed to convert enough half-chances to get on the scoreboard.
“Both teams will probably welcome a week’s break to get some of their injured players back, ready to play again,” told Neal.
Ryan Walker was both relieved and extremely satisfied with the win. “I knew it would be a tight game today and we set out to minimise our mistakes and nullify the Avoca attack. The boys kept to the game plan and their work rate today was outstanding. I thought both teams worked hard today and I’m relieved to come away with a win.”
Match Official – Anthony Kabbout
Woy Woy 1 – 3 Terrigal
Terrigal travelled to Austin Butler Oval which saw the O’lads take all three points from a scrappy game against a struggling Woy Woy outfit who remain last on the club championship ladder after 12 rounds.
After a good performance in their first-round clash, this reverse match was a really good chance for Woy Woy to prove they are good enough to challenge for the win.
Coming from playing at Pluim Park last week, Terrigal were slow to get used to the field and physicality in the game.
After missing a few good early chances, Terrigal were caught out early in the game after a long diagonal ball in and a counterattack found their number 9 as Jayke Brown chipped over a hesitant Ferragamo to give the home side a one-goal lead.
Woy Woy’s lead then sparked the O’lads to lift another gear and they found the equaliser shortly after a scrappy contest in the box fell to Aidan Bastick who fire home from close range to take the game on level terms at the break.
Terrigal started the second half the way they finished the first, in control of the contest and applying constant pressure to Woy Woy.
Terrigal eventually took the lead from another set-piece corner, when Angus Missen flicked the ball on from the front post for captain Jai McNamara to head home to give his side their first lead of the day.
Terrigal continued to create chances and midway through the second half Stu Adams scored a superb strike from 30 yards out into the top corner to give them some breathing room at 3-1.
This gave Pete Edwards a chance to make some substitutions and bring on some youngsters for their First Grade debut this year as they saw out the remainder of the fixture to claim their seventh win of the season and move into third place on the ladder.
Pete Edwards commended the opposition post-game as he now looks towards their very important match in two weeks. “A good solid game from us, unfortunately, overshadowed by a very physical game that left us walking away with a few knocks and bruises. Credit to Woy Woy who showed good intent to play and good resilience all match.”
“Happy to take three wins from three at Austin Butler Oval and looking forward to a small break before facing league leaders Killarney at Pluim Park.”
“Going down 3-1 was very disappointing as our first half was a real builder, but we just never played the same in the second half. Once again leaking two silly goes from poor decision making, not good enough at this level,” declared Woy Woy’s Neal Morris.
Match Official – Gerrod Young
Wyoming 0 – 3 The Entrance
After seeing defeat in the two lower grades, the Entrance claimed crucial club championship points thanks to their best performance of the year which saw the Reddies leave Alan Davidson with a 3-0 win in first grade.
The Entrance started the better of the two teams and looked determined to get something out of the fixture from the first whistle. The Reddies were awarded a golden chance to go ahead when fouled in the box and the official awarded the opposition a penalty.
Club veteran Zac Anastas stepped up for his side, scoring his first penalty since 2017 to give his side a 1-0 advantage away from home.
Talented youngster Jai Rose who was given his first start in first grade was making his impact on the game from the early stages.
Jai received the ball on the edge of the box, turned and fired a screamer which found the top corner, giving the Wyoming keeper zero chance of saving the shot as he doubled the Entrance’s lead to 2-0.
The Entrance’s hot form continued in the second half and from kick off a long ball down the left found Lachlan Pettitt who squared the ball to an oncoming teammate as Jai met the ball to slot home to extend the lead to 3-0 and secure his second goal of the day.
The Entrance scored an almost identical goal again later in the half, but this time was deemed offside by the official as the game finished 3-0.
“The Entrance played really well and deserved the win but the player who tore us apart was Jai Rose. He was outstanding. I wish the young fella all the best at Sydney FC, well-deserved move for him,” voiced Wyoming’s Ian McAndrew.
Match Official – Trent Dickeson
Golden Boot Standings –
| 9 | Jacob Lepre (Southern), Logan Moore (Kanwal) |
| 8 | Tim Knight (Killarney), Kane Woolston (Berkeley Vale) |
| 7 | Keith Gumbs (Southern), Cooper Ebrington (Avoca), Andy Klijn (Killarney) |
| 6 | Charlie Entwistle (East Gosford), Ben Flakus (Terrigal), Nathan Baker (Woy Woy) |
Points Table –
Club Championship –
Division 1
Round 12 Results –
Points Table –
Club Championship –
