Match of the Round
Kanwal 3 – 2 Woongarrah
A derby fixture with plenty of twists and turns, Kanwal claimed a crucial win over their local rivals in the match of the round to secure their first win of the 2024 season.
As soon as kick-off commenced, the weather took a turn for the worse as the rain did not let up for the entire ninety minutes of the local derby.
Despite being on enemy territory, Woongarrah started the game off very strong as the Wildcats looked to put pressure on the Kanwal backline in the hopes of forcing errors that they could capitalise on.
Both teams would share chances in the opening period, but it was Woongarrah who would take a 1-0 lead into the break after a well-taken free kick broke the deadline.
After a positive halftime talk, Kanwal came out fighting and started controlling the game in the second period.
The game continued to go back and forth as Kanwal looked to their bench, making three changes that gave them the boost necessary to find their opening goal.
Substitute Kelly Lockyer got Kanwal back in the game and on level terms at 1-1 after making no mistake with her close-range shot.
Riding the high of their last goal, shortly after Kanwal took the lead through their captain Hayls Ballard who converted with a beautiful free kick.
Woongarrah showed determination to find their way back into the game and did so after a shot that was initially saved by the Kanwal keeper fell to a Wildcats attacker who was in first to pounce on the rebound to take the game level for the third time at 2-2.
Both teams searched for a winner which eventually came to the home side. Another Hayls Ballard free kick this time found the head of her teammate Molly Couch who guided the ball into the back of the net to send the crowd into a massive cheer.
Woongarrah never stopped fighting, forcing the Kanwal keeper to make some crucial saves to keep her side in it as the final whistle sounded and Kanwal walked away 3-2 victors.
“That’s a local derby for you! Very happy to get the win over our rivals,” voiced a proud Jen Tatum.
Match Official – Brandan Wirz
East Gosford 4 – 0 Umina
A different East Gosford side took the park this past weekend as head coach Jorge Chavez was absent from the sideline and on the field multiple Rams starters were missing due to them running a half marathon in Sydney.
East Gosford were moved away from their beloved Hylton Moore Oval as the game was moved to Umina Oval due to the wet weather of the past week.
After a tremendous start to the season, East Gosford were confident to face a Umina team they knew would come out fighting as the Rams had to be on their game to secure the three points.
East Gosford’s passing game continues to grow week after week as they managed to take control of the game from the early stages by keeping the majority of ball possession.
The early pressure resulted in a corner for East Gosford, captain Grace Bryant picked out teammate Angela Seymour in the box who managed to find the back of the net and give her side a deserved 1-0 lead.
Shortly after getting their first, Emma Hurley showed beautiful control in the middle of the park and was able to find inform striker Laura Mundy who made no mistake with her chance on goal, doubling the Rams lead to 2-0 with her first of the day.
East Gosford’s third goal before halftime came from some more pressure showed on the Umina backline as Noni Wheeler was able to capitalise on a defensive error and score her first goal of the campaign.
The backline of the reigning Premiers continued to look solid, marking their third clean sheet in a row despite multiple players shuffling in and out of the squad.
East Gosford’s fourth and final goal saw the whole team get a touch on the ball before ending up with Emma Hurley who finished clinically in front of goal as the Rams recorded their third win of 2024 to remain on top of the ladder via goal difference.
Match Official – Stephen Wrightson
Terrigal 3 – 0 Kincumber
Following days of torrential rain, Terrigal were forced to concede their home-ground advantage, with Sunday’s match going ahead at Frost Reserve after yet another week of conditions not conducive to training and playing.
The opening 15 minutes of the match were very tight as the ball went from end to end. Kincumber were quick to take advantage of the game going ahead at their fortress and pinned Terrigal back from the first whistle.
Terrigal struggled to build any momentum and the match played out fairly evenly between the sides as both teams were eager to gain superiority, Kincumber and Terrigal appeared evenly matched.
At the 18-minute mark, a brutal turning point for Kincumber saw them narrowly miss what seemed a certain goal only for Terrigal to go up the other end and be awarded a free kick in a promising position.
Terrigal’s Maddie Yates stepped up and buried a well-placed free kick from just outside the box, giving her side the lead and securing her second goal of the season.
With the lead, Terrigal began to control the match and, for the next 15 minutes, they mounted numerous attacking raids, placing massive pressure on the Roos’ defence.
Nina Boije Af Gennas was brilliant at defensive centre-mid, constantly putting her body on the line to repel the opposition. At right-back, Rhianna Matkovich was also strong in both attack and defence during this period.
Once again however, one of Terrigal’s most consistent, Lily Brooks, worked her magic, overloading into the front third and sending a cracking shot from the edge of the box into the back of the net, doubling Terrigal’s lead shortly before the halftime break.
The second half saw Terrigal undertake a more composed game of football, taking control of possession and demonstrating more value in possession. Kincumber worked hard to make things difficult for Terrigal to build up.
Terrigal took their opportunity with a high press as Kincumber looked to play out, and in the 50th minute, Indiana Moyes jumped at the opportunity to win the ball and extend Terrigal’s lead to 3-0, a just reward for her efforts off the ball.
In their usual manner, the Roos never gave up and rallied until the final whistle, competing with intensity for much of the second half.
Seasoned players Lauren Tindale, Emily Smith, and Helaina Wellington never stopped trying, lifting those around them, including Lucinda Miranda and Olivia Melenewycz. Lucinda and Olivia had some tremendous individual passages of play toward the end of the match.
Gab Blanch commended the opposition as she stated her team was fortunate to claim all three points. “Credit to Kincumber for today’s performance, unfortunately we only showed up to play for 45 minutes. We were lucky to come away with 3 goals and 3 points.”
“I have a lot to address to meet the standards we set ourselves at the beginning of the year. A much better second half made it a bearable experience for me today,” added Blanch.
The mostly home-grown Kincumber Roos WPL team continues to grow in confidence and improve as they progress through the 2024 season. Despite losing 0-3 to competition heavyweights Terrigal, Kincumber coach John Jiggins must be thrilled with the way Lucinda Miranda, Mia Ferraro, and Olivia Melenewycz have made the transition from the Kincumber U/16s in 2023 to the WPL in 2024.
These girls are part of the Club’s talent development pathway, designed to ensure local Kincumber girls transition to the Roos WPL team.
Match Official – John Shaw
Golden Boot Standings –
| 5 | Laura Mundy (East Gosford), Kelly Hogan (Woongarrah) |
| 4 | Jessica Dominello (East Gosford) |
Points Table –
Division 1
Round 5 Results –
Points Table –
