Match of the Round
Umina 4 – 1 Killarney
Hattrick hero Kate Styles led her team to a well-earned victory to record back-to-back victories for the first time this season as Killarney were unable to build off the high of their inaugural win last Tuesday night.
Both teams entered Sunday’s match of the round contest coming off a successful win in their rescheduled round 1 fixture.
Despite Killarney holding their own against the competition’s best so far in their 2024 campaign, Umina showed their class and experience to make the most of their chances throughout the contest on Sunday.
Umina took the lead just 15 minutes in after a midfielder won the ball off the opposition and played a hopeful ball in behind the Killarney defence as Kate Styles was able to outpace the Killarney defender to get to the ball first and calmly take the ball past the opposition goalie to finish into an open net.
Very similar to their first goal, Umina were able to double their advantage before halftime. Great play between their midfield led to another ball being played over the backline of the Terriers as Kate Styles was on hand once again to get herself in front of the defender and tuck the ball home.
Halftime came at a good time for the Terriers as Jai Menser’s team looked like their unusual self. However, a reset at the break saw Killarney come out of the sheds the better team and were able to grab a goal back inside the opening five minutes of the second stanza.
Daniella Ward was quick to bounce on a loose ball in her own half as she made a surging solo run down the line to beat a number of Umina defenders to score past the keeper at the near post.
Conceding the goal seemed to wake Umina back up as they fell back into their normal rhythm and the game remained an even contest for the majority of the second half.
Both teams had chances to score but Umina were the only ones to capitalise on their chances and were able to restore their two-goal lead 15 minutes into the second period.
Killarney were looking to play the ball out from the back but had a pass intercepted by Umina’s Tori Sheriff who played in Kate Styles on the edge of the box who skilfully beat her defender and placed a shot low on goal to record her third goal of the day.
Kya Byrnes also got on the scoresheet for the E-Gals as she was in the right place at the right time off a corner when the ball fell to her feet in front of the goal and Byrnes made no mistake of her chance to give her side a 4-1 victory and the three crucial points.
“Three well-taken goals by Kate Styles helped deliver us a well-earned victory,” voiced Michael Penn.
Jai Menser also commented post-game. “Just not our day overall.”
“We showed in moments our true potential and strength, we’ll be sure to be working on them to keep them continually happening throughout games and the season. An exciting day for Issy making her debut for first grade.”
Match Official – Jeffrey Smith
Woongarrah 1 – 1 Kincumber
Woongarrah earned their first point since rejoining the WPL competition, battling with Kincumber to the final whistle as the score remained locked at 1-1 after ninety minutes and both teams were forced to share the points at Hamlyn Terrace.
Coming off a disappointing 3-2 loss on Tuesday night, Kincumber looked to get back to winning ways this weekend when they made the trip up north to battle against a Woongarrah side searching for their first victory of the season.
25 minutes into the contest Kincumber were awarded a penalty and up stepped the experienced Helaina Wellington. Wellington made no mistake from the spot as she gave the Roos a crucial 1-0 lead with her second goal of the season.
Kincumber held their lead into halftime, and it wasn’t until the 55th minute that the home side Woongarrah were able to restore the deficit thanks to Maddison Aldrick.
Both teams pushed for the winner, but it wasn’t to be for either side as the result finished 1-1.
Match Official – Stephen Wrightson
East Gosford 3 – 3 Kanwal
A resilient Kanwal side managed to crack the code on East Gosford’s defence and salvage a point with the last kick of the game, scoring three goals past the reigning WPL Premiers East Gosford as the Rams leave Hylton Moore disappointed at their first dropped points of the year.
Sunday was always shaping up to be a difficult task for Kanwal who knew of the quality East Gosford possess in their squad and how difficult they are to play on their home turf.
Nonetheless, Kanwal showed up to Hylton Moore with a fighting attitude and were eager to take the Rams to their limits.
East Gosford started strong and were awarded a penalty to go in front in the early stages of the game however the Rams were unable to convert from the spot.
Kanwal pressed hard and after a great finish from Tasharn Smith, the Bulls found themselves ahead with a crucial 1-0 lead.
As to be expected, a determined East Gosford looked for a way back into the contest and were able to find the back of the net twice in quick succession thanks to goals from Emma Hurley and Annika Hansen.
Not to be deterred, Kanwal looked for a way back into the game, pushing high up the pitch to try and create more goal-scoring opportunities but the chances didn’t prevent themselves as halftime loomed.
Moments before the halftime whistle sounded, Laura Mundy was able to keep her terrific goalscoring form alive, finding the back of the net to give East Gosford a crucial 3-1 lead at the break.
Despite throwing the lead away, Kanwal’s halftime chat was nothing but positive as the Bulls felt they still had plenty to give in this fixture.
The second period was back and forth as both sides searched for the next crucial goal. Kanwal eventually got that goal 15 minutes into the half as veteran Hayley Green finished well for her first goal of the year.
Kanwal kept believing and stuck to their game plan well but with time ticking it seemed like the reigning premiers would come out victorious.
However, one last push from the Bulls saw Grace Heinemann place a through ball to Joanna Walker who only had the goalie in her way. Walker made the most of her chance to equalise right on the buzzer to salvage a crucial point for her side.
Although his team let a 3-1 lead slip, Jorge Chavez commended the opposition for their gameplan and looks forward to the next game to amend this result.
“It was just one of those games where you are up 3-1 and feel comfortable, you make some changes, you miss a penalty, you create enough chances in the second half to score another three goals, but you don’t take your chances and before you know it, two mistakes we never make in defence gives them two goals with one being the last kick of the game and it ends up 3-3.”
“Some might say Kanwal were lucky to walk away with the draw, but I believe you create your own luck and I have full respect and admiration for the Kanwal girls who came out with a game plan, played the full ninety minutes and got their reward at the end with a goal in the last second of the game.”
“From our point of view, a lot of the girls were upset with the performance we put out on Sunday but luckily we have a short turnaround and play again on Wednesday against Woongarrah so we can correct some of the mistakes we made,” voiced Chavez.
“It was a great game and I’m so proud of the girls to come back and walk away with a point. We will keep improving and believing,” stated a pleased Jen Tatum.
Match Official – Graeme Gurr
Golden Boot Standings –
| 7 | Kate Styles (Umina) |
| 6 | Laura Mundy (East Gosford), |
| 5 | Kelly Hogan (Woongarrah) |
| 4 | Jessica Dominello (East Gosford) |
Points Table –
Division 1
Round 7 Results –
Points Table –
