Match of the Round
Terrigal 4 – 0 Killarney
The Ash Grant Cup returns home to Terrigal after the O’lads end Killarney’s historic run of 35 unbeaten games in the league, handing the Terriers a 4-0 loss this past Saturday night at Pluim Park.
Terrigal had a huge task ahead of them heading into the weekend, playing for the Ash Grant Cup after going down 2-0 when these two sides met earlier in the year.
Pete Edwards came into the weekend with his squad in good form but faced some selection difficulties with players injured, suspended or away, so it was a real test of his squad’s depth.
“Walking out onto Pluim Park I knew the boys were up for the battle, and we had worked hard all week at training on setting up specifically for the match,” declared Pete.
Terrigal set up in a deep defensive block and tried to force Killarney to send players forward in an attempt to break down their side as the O’lads looked to counter with intent and speed.
This worked to perfection for their first goal when after soaking up pressure Terrigal managed to release Stu Adams in behind their defence and deliver a perfect cross from the left wing into Mahkye Brownlie who flicked home in the far corner for a 1-0 lead.
Terrigal rode their luck for the rest of the half but also defended valiantly and seemed to clear every Killarney attack with their captain Jai McNamara heading a chance off the line which was destined to find the top corner.
At half-time, Terrigal knew the job was nowhere near done and made some small adjustments to their shape and player roles to try and catch the out the opposition with defensive traps.
After a cagey start from both teams to the second period, Terrigal managed to hit Killarney on the counter again this time down the right wing. Terrigal overloaded the far post and another good delivery saw Aidan Bastick heading home into an open goal to double Terrigal’s advantage.
At 2-0, Killarney started to throw more forward and at another major point in the game, Killarney’s defender Adam Smith was shown a red card and his side were now left to overcome a 2-goal deficit with just 10 men.
Killarney continued to try and find a way back into the game, but this left them vulnerable to counterattacks.
The third goal of the game came from first-grade debutant Jeremy Hibbert whose long-range shot from the edge of the box clipped the crossbar and put Terrigal ahead on aggregate.
Wrapping things up with pretty much the last touch of the game, Mahkye Brownlie headed home another cross from the right side for his second.
“We came into the game with a clear gameplan and today it worked perfectly,” stated Pete.
“We approached the game just looking to compete against the league leaders and huge credit must go to the effort and execution of the game plan from my players. I’m delighted we managed to get three points and to win back the Ash Grant Cup is a great bonus for the club.”
Pete also went on to add, “It’s just one important game of many in the league, but it again showcases what we are capable of producing and also shows our great depth in the squad. A massive shout out to the Killarney team and head coach Chris who played the game in great spirit and were gracious after.”
Chris Ackerley also spoke after the match, commending the opposition as he now shifts his focus to next week and finish the year as seven-time league champions. “A 4-0 loss which Terrigal played and set up extremely well.”
“The first loss in 35 league games for our boys who can feel proud of what they have done. Now to get ready for next week against Entrance and to try to get back to winning ways.”
Match Official – Mark Roberts
The Entrance 3 – 0 Woy Woy
The Entrance secured their first back-to-back wins of the season when they hosted another club fighting for relegation this past Sunday at Pat Morley Oval.
Woy Woy entered the match at the bottom of the club championship ladder as time is running out for the promoted side who were looking for crucial points in all three grades heading into Sunday’s contest.
The Entrance looked the better of the two teams from the opening whistle and it was a double from the experienced Reddies attacker Corey Jones who gave the home side a 2-0 lead at the break.
Corey’s first goal came from a cross as he found himself unmarked in the box and fumbled the ball over the line to give his side the lead.
Corey’s second goal came in a similar fashion as the attacker found himself in the right place at the right time to convert for his second goal of the evening.
Woy Woy’s best chance of the half came just before the break but a fantastic save from Reddies keeper Jaleel Coombe ensured his side would enter the break with a clean sheet.
Corey Jones could have finished the half with a hattrick to his name after rounding the opposition keeper with only the goal at his mercy but was unable to capitalise as his effort went wide.
The start of the second period saw the Entrance start fast once again and a move down the left-hand side saw a cross fall to Harry Bennett who took a great first touch and finished well to extend the Reddies’ lead to 3-0.
Woy Woy continued to push until the final whistle but were unable to convert any of their half chances as the Entrance secured a deserved 3-0 win, just their third win of 2023.
Match Official – Des Patch
Kanwal 1 – 0 Wyoming
With both teams needing to win for vastly different reasons heading into their fixture this past Sunday, this saw both teams set up in defensive formations hoping not to give the other team any early advantage.
It worked for the first 20 minutes with neither team seriously troubling the other. However, this would all change with a Kanwal corner headed towards goal by Jason Cozens which took a deflection off a Wyoming defender into his own net.
The rest of the half again was a tight defensive affair with neither team having any clear-cut chances. Kanwal had a few crosses delivered across the face of goal, but nobody was there to capitalise as the Bulls entered the half-time break with a 1-0 lead.
With both teams still in the game, the second period again began like the first, with no one wanting to make a mistake as the majority of the game was played in the middle third.
Kanwal looking to double their lead and Wyoming looking for the equaliser, both teams would again create some half chances but neither team could capitalise.
Wyoming would make a number of changes in the last 20 minutes in an all-out attempt to attack Kanwal and get something out of the game. Kanwal were able to deal with this pressure and although it was a nervy, last few minutes, Kanwal would prevail and keep a second straight clean sheet and walk away with a crucial 1-0 win.
Ryan Walker was relieved at the end of the game. “A great determined defensive effort today and it was extremely pleasing that we minimised our mistakes, gave very few chances to Wyoming, and kept a second clean sheet.”
“We need to keep that up leading into the back end of the season if we are to challenge for a top-four spot. Wyoming made it hard for us all day and I wish Macca and the Wyoming boys luck over the remainder of the season,” spoke Walker.
“It was a very even game played between the middle third,” declared Ian McAndrew who also added, “We had the better of the game but could find the net.”
“Their back four and keeper deserve a big mention they were good today especially Porter who organised them so well.”
Match Official – Russell Kirkland
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 13 Results –
Points Table –
Club Championship –
