Match of the Round
Terrigal 2 – 1 Berkeley Vale
Both of these sides entered the final game week knowing that if results didn’t go their way they could miss out on a spot inside the final four.
Terrigal had made it clear that although a lot was riding on the results on the weekend, they just needed to focus on their game plan and treat it like a normal match day round.
The game started a little cagey for both teams, trying to work each other out to gain a foothold in the game and come to grips with the hard bumpy pitch.
A big head clash paused the first half for a while, resulting in Mark Partridge requiring a trip to the hospital for stitches.
You could see that both teams were keen to limit the mistakes and thus the first half had few clear chances as the deadlock was not broken after the opening 45 minutes of play.
In the sheds at half-time, the O’lads were feeling good and confident. Terrigal believed they had the tactical advantage on Berkeley and just needed to be braver I’m certain moments and take the chances when they opened up.
Seeming to have the edge on the opposition in the second half, the opening goal came from Daniel Bird who fired home after an initial shot was saved and fell to him in the box.
Credit to Berkeley Vale who bounced back quickly and found a way in behind the Terrigal fullback to deliver a cross that was headed home by Kane Woolston to level the score.
You could see that conceding left Terrigal disappointed as they knew how important it was to remain focused after scoring but became unorganised for a moment and got caught out.
Berkeley then sat back and defended knowing that a draw would be enough. However, the home side rallied again, and Terrigal brought some fresh legs on to make an impact. This worked brilliantly as substitute Aidan Bastick was found at the far post to regain the lead.
Berkeley threw everything forward and scored an equaliser in the last minute of play only to have the linesman flag that the ball had gone out of play and the goal was disallowed and full time followed shortly after.
After the defeat, the Wombat’s hopes of playing finals was now in the hands of the Kanwal Southern game as the result eventually came through and a sigh of relief swept through the Berkeley Vale squad.
“For me, it was really enjoyable game, with some good football played from both teams on a tricky and bumpy surface,” voiced Pete Edwards.
“Congrats to Berkeley and Andre for making the finals and I look forward to another close game this weekend against them.”
Match Official – Miles Allen-Scott
Kanwal 1 – 2 Southern & Ettalong
Football has its highs and lows and Kanwal experienced both during the game against Southern. It would be a devasting last kick of the game that effectively ended Kanwal’s season and left the players and supporters stunned.
A draw would have seen Kanwal make the top four, but a cruel twist of fate saw Southern score the winner with essentially the last kick of the game.
Southern-Ettalong and Kanwal went into Sunday’s game at Wadalba with different goals that they wanted to achieve.
Southern had the opportunity to blood some young players as the result was paramount and it wouldn’t alter where they finished on the table, but they still wanted to go into Finals with momentum whilst Kanwal needed a victory to ensure they would again be playing Finals football.
The first half saw two different styles of football with Southern opting for a possession-based passing game trying to break down a resilient defensive-based Kanwal side who were opting to play a counter-attacking style.
To the purist, it was an absorbing contest to watch and to some, it was surprising to see the deadlock broken right on half-time when Kanwal’s Brad Porter scored a well-taken free kick to send his team into the half-time break with an air of confidence.
Kanwal came out in the second half with a more attacking approach looking for a second goal and putting pressure on the Southern-Ettalong defence.
Southern stayed patient and continued to test Kanwal in turn with their ball movement and it proved rewarding in the 65th minute when Josh Lepre was brought down in the penalty box and received a spot kick for his side. Matt Caisley stepped up and coolly put it away to lock the scores at 1-1.
The crowd again were being entertained by two sides striving to find a winner and it wasn’t until the final minute of the game that Southern found that winner after good lead-up play Lachlan Rousell converted to give his side a 2-1 win and end Kanwal’s season.
Ryan Walker was stunned at the final whistle. “I still don’t know what happened in that last few seconds. I thought we were heading for a fair draw, but the football gods had different ideas. All credit to Southern they never gave up even though they had second place locked down.”
“Good luck to Dale and the Southern boys with the semi-finals. I think on their day, they are certainly the team to beat and the most threatening. Well done to my boys, they never gave up and the way they have played during the second half of the season they deserved to be playing semi-final football,” added Walker.
“Again, I was pleased with our side’s attitude and belief and the professional way they have approached the season and now it’s onto the Finals and test ourselves against the best,” commented Southern’s Dale Eggleton.
Dale also commended the opposition. “To Ryan and his Kanwal squad, they should be proud and pleased with how they backed up last season’s results with another good season especially the second part which took them so close to again playing Finals football.”
Match Official – Des Patch
Killarney 7 – 0 Wyoming
After failing to record any club championship points in the two lower grades, Wyoming entered their first-grade clash with the League Champions already relegated as the under-strength Tigers side recorded their 14th loss of the season.
It took the Terriers just two minutes to open the scoring against Wyoming after Andy Klijn turned his defender in the box and expertly converted to give his side the lead.
The next goal of the contest didn’t come until the 34-minute mark when again Andy Klijn was able to finish for Killarney after a well-worked move down the right-hand side.
The Terriers were awarded a penalty just moments before the break as Andy Klijn stepped up for his side and looked to secure his first-half hattrick. However, fill-in goalkeeper Jared Mcnee saved his effort as the score remained 2-0 after the first period.
Killarney continued to dominate, and Andy eventually got his hattrick just 10 minutes after the restart with a neat finish.
Next on the score sheet was the returning Jayden Radford who finished inside the six-yard box after another great play down the right.
Veteran Tim Knight decided he wanted to get in the goalscoring action and went on to record a twenty-minute hattrick with goals in the 66th, 71st, and 87th minute against a tiring and defeated Wyoming side.
Chris Ackerley spoke on how finishing the year with that momentum will hopefully go a long way in the 2023 Finals Series. “Nice way to end the league with a big win. A huge achievement to win seven league titles in a row. On to the semi-final series and hopefully continue our good form.”
Match Official – Hugo Fonseca
The Entrance 1 – 1 East Gosford
Everything was riding on this final game of the year for The Entrance who entered first grade needing a win to have any chance of avoiding relegation and looked to end the year with a high on their annual ‘Old Boys Day’.
It took the Reddies less than 15 minutes to find the opening goal of the contest after Spencer Wharton found the back of the net with a stunning strike.
Although they had nothing to play for, East Gosford still looked to end their year on a high and played compelling football throughout the opening half but were unable to convert on their chances as the Reddies held on to their lead at the break.
Knowing that Woy Woy were down 4-0 at halftime, a determined Entrance side looking to keep their lead took the field for the most important 45 minutes of their season.
The contest remained back and forth as the home side defended with everything they had to ensure victory.
With less than five minutes to go in the contest, East Gosford finally broke their deadlock through an Oliver Vanderslot goal that left the home side in despair.
The final few minutes saw Andre Ollier’s side give everything they had, and the Entrance even had a goal ruled offside in the dying stages.
With the final whistle looming any second, Entrance attacker Corey Jones found himself one-on-one with Ram’s goalkeeper as the once upon a time saviour for the club was unable to repeat his heroics as his shot hit the post and the chance was squandered.
The full-time whistle sounded, cementing the Entrance’s relegation as they join the Division 1 competition for the first time since 2013.
Match Official – Trent Dickeson
Woy Woy 0 – 9 Avoca
Going into the final round with just a one-point club championship buffer over the Entrance was always going to be a tough challenge after so many of Woy Woy’s players getting big minutes of football over the last five weeks.
Being 30 points behind relegation safety just four weeks ago, the entire squad had great belief that they could get the job done to stay up.
Under 21’s and Reserve Grade were great games of football and the effort that went into those two games was a massive credit after a torrid last five weeks and to come away with those two wins, Woy Woy entered first grade 5 club championship points ahead of the Entrance meaning the Reddies must win at the minimum to knock Woy Woy down.
With only four players fresh in their first-grade warm-up, the rest of the Woy Woy team joined them on the pitch after the great reserve-grade win.
Tired 1st Grade players playing more than one game caught up with Woy Woy against a rampant Avoca on Sunday.
Woy Woy could have taken a 1-0 lead, but Phil Anderson saved a penalty from Nathan Baker.
Avoca then settled and scored four goals before half-time through Josh Menzies, Cooper Ebrington, and two from Roan Brown.
The second half continued the Avoca dominance with further goals from Tyler Wade (2), Josh Menzies’ second and another worldie from Alex Cochrane Smith.
To end the contest Roan Brown completed his hat-trick to enable Avoca to win 9-0.
A relieved Neal Morris commented after hearing the news of his side staying up in MPL. “Avoca were just too strong for us, and all the players were out on their feet. What they have done in recent weeks is a massive credit to themselves and shows what lengths you will go to as a playing group to achieve a goal. So proud of this entire squad.”
Looking towards next year, Neal voiced, “lots to build on for next year, but they have earned a very big rest after this tough season. Thanks to Avoca they were a very good side, unlucky not to be in the finals.”
“Roan Brown has, at last, really established himself in 1st Grade this season, and could become one of the dominant players in the MPL,” stated a proud Neal Hide.
Neal also commended the opposition as he coaches his final game for Avoca, a true champion in every sense of the word. “Congratulations to Woy Woy on staying up. Congratulations to Avoca on another season of fun, laughter & good football; as planned, I stood down as Head Coach of Avoca after the game; Avoca have been an absolute pleasure to coach.”
Match Official – Luke Dunkerley
Golden Boot Standings –
| 15 | Logan Moore (Kanwal) |
| 14 | Tim Knight (Killarney), Kane Woolston (Berkeley Vale) |
| 13 | Jakeb Brownlow (Berkeley Vale), Andy Klijn (Killarney) |
| 11 | Jacob Lepre (Southern), Jack Ellwood (Southern) |
Points Table –
Club Championship –
Division 1
Semi Final Results –
