Match of the Round
Killarney 0 – 1 Berkeley Vale
Only the one goal separated this match of the round contest on Sunday afternoon as competition favourites Berkeley Vale were able to put last week’s draw behind them and get back to winning ways against the reigning MPL premiers Killarney.
Berkeley Vale started the contest well despite being away from home, playing their usual high possession percentage style of football, looking to break down the home side when presented with the chance.
Despite enjoying more of the ball, the game had been quite even for the opening stages of the game as Killarney defended well and looked to counterattack into dangerous areas whenever regaining control of the football.
The game’s only goal came midway through the first half, some good lead-up play through the Berkeley midfield was rounded off by a well-taken strike from Wombat’s Shane Littlehales.
Killarney looked determined to find an answer, however, the home side were unable to turn any of their opportunities into goals as they headed for the shed down 1-0 after the opening 45 minutes.
The second period saw Chris Ackerley change formation with the hopes of having more success against a well-organised Wombat side.
The second half was a real arm wrestle with Killarney throwing everything at the Berkeley defence which saw their goalkeeper Steven Grimmitt forced to produce some outstanding saves to protect his team’s lead.
The Wombats were able to hold strong and see out the game to keep their unbeaten season alive as Killarney have now recorded their third loss in five fixtures.
“As always Killarney was the toughest of opposition and they will be there at the end of the season as usual,” voiced Mark Pratt.
“Once again pleased with the performance but not the result, Berkeley are a good well-organised side and you can see why they are the favourites this year,” stated Chris Ackerley.
Match Official – Trent Dickeson
Budgewoi 0 – 1 Kanwal
An early goal inside the first 2 minutes of play from Kanwal ultimately would see the Bulls walk away with a 1-0 win, handing Budgewoi their second straight defeat as Ryan Walker’s men now find themselves in first place on the MPL Ladder.
Kanwal would earn an early corner which wasn’t dealt with well by the Budgewoi defence and Mason Lavery was on the spot to put the ball into the back of the net for his fifth goal already in 2024.
As usual, Kanwal would allow the opposition to have the bulk of possession, but most of this possession was around the middle of the park.
When Budgewoi were able to get into more dangerous positions, the Kanwal defensive was able to nullify each dangerous opportunity with resolute defending.
As with all games this year, Kurtis Mahan was also solid in goals. Kanwal did create a few chances of their own but were also unable to convert and Kanwal went into the break with the 1-0 lead.
As the last 45 minutes commenced, Kanwal would create a number of chances in the early stages of the second stanza.
Firstly, a nice through ball for Logan Moore to run onto but he placed his shot wide. A few minutes later a well-worked free-kick saw the ball played to Callum Dunkerley whose shot rattled the crossbar as he was unable to double Kanwal’s lead.
Budgewoi would have a few chances of their own as with the first half but time after time, Kanwal’s defence was up to the task and denied Budgewoi from getting an equaliser.
Both teams would have plenty of chances in a frantic last 10 minutes, but both teams were unable to convert as Kanwal eventually won 1-0 thanks to Lavery’s early goal.
Ryan Walker was pleased with the overall performance and glad to keep a clean sheet for the first time this season. “Our defensive work rate right across the park today was outstanding. A well-deserved win for my boys.”
“Kanwal are very good at what they do,” voiced Haydn Appo. “The long ball option at every opportunity is ugly to watch and challenging to play against.”
Appo also added, “Stats-wise, we had a lot of possession, but what stats don’t show is our lack of ability to convert this possession into goal-scoring opportunities. This is something we need to work on. Congrats to Kanwal for getting the three points today.”
Match Official – Anthony Kabbout
Terrigal 0 – 0 Woongarrah
Undefeated Terrigal claimed just one point at home this past Sunday after a tight and gruelling ninety minutes against the Wildcats ended in a scoreless draw.
The game was only a couple minutes old when a wayward pass from a Terrigal defender would fall to Ashley Henderson on the edge of the box for a chance to open the scoring but unfortunately, the keeper would deny Woongarrah the opportunity with a great save.
In the early parts of the game, Woongarrah looked to assert dominance and push for an opener, with the game being very physical and fiery it was extremely stop-start, making it difficult for Terrigal to play any of their usual style of football.
Woongarrah created a few chances, hitting the post off a half chance which was cleared by Max Vegter. Their midfield continued to dominate with Matt Johnson pulling the strings. but the O’lads brick wall Max Vegter was ever-present.
Terrigal changed shape and tactics which saw them winning the ball higher up the field, but no clear-cut chances were created.
35 minutes in and Henderson again would see his shot beat the keeper only to hit the side post and go out for a goal kick. Just before halftime, Woongarrah would see another opportunity go just past the post after beating the keeper as they were forced to settle for a 0-0 first half.
Halftime came and went with both sides looking to their benches for some spark.
It was Woongarrah’s Jacob Melling who was the most threatening, his quality and touch was immense, in the 65th minute he had a free kick in the perfect position but could only shoot at Terrigal keeper Will Turner who was strong all day.
Terrigal had a nice passage of play with the ball finding James Lee on the left wing. He crossed into a dangerous area as the keeper and Aiden Bastick both challenged for the ball.
The fumbling ball found an orange shirt who lashed it into the goal, however, a free kick was paid for the foul and the goal did not stand.
With both teams pushing forward for the win some half chances were created, the closest falling to Terrigal’s Kassidy Lalor outside the box with an open goal, he lashed at it quickly sending it skyward.
With only minutes remaining, a ball into the box by Jacob Melling would find Myles Donnelly who would outjump a Terrigal defender only to see his header beat their keeper but once again find the crossbar.
In a game with plenty of fouls and devoid of many clear-cut chances, a 0-0 draw was a fair result with both clubs looking to get back to winning ways next week.
Reflecting on the draw, Terrigal’s Ryan Pearce stated, “A game we will learn much from and put behind us quickly. Woongarrah really showed up to win today which was evident in the amount of fouls in the game.”
“They were hungry. It was a really scrappy game, but they competed well. With such a new first-grade side we will be continuing to build our playing style and identity.”
Opposition coach Luke Rogers also voiced his opinion on the contest. “Credit to both sides for trying to still play football on a very subpar pitch.”
“I was happy to keep a clean sheet especially away from home and I thought we played well for the quality of the surface. However, we lacked in finishing the opportunities we created and got what we deserved.”
Match Official – Jasper White
Woy Woy 1 – 5 Southern & Ettalong
The latest instalment of this peninsula derby took place on Woy Woy #2 after the SEU Saturday night home fixture was switched to accommodate the A-League GF. As with most derbies between these two sides, it was an entertaining and physical affair.
Southern, expecting Woy Woy’s best performance of the season, came out of the gates firing. Within two minutes, a delightful corner delivery from Jacob Lepre was converted by Nathan Baker at the back post to give him the perfect start against his club from the previous season.
SEU continued to send balls forward to their attacking threats, causing issues for a new look Woy Woy backline. SEU had several opportunities that were shut down by a scrambling defence.
Their constant pressure eventually paid dividends in the 21st minute when a deep free kick was headed goalward by Todd Balneaves who gave the visitors a 2-0 lead.
Lepre then had a great chance to add to his goal tally for the year moments later when sent through on goal by Jack Elwood to be one-on-one with the keeper, but he uncharacteristically dragged his shot wide of the post.
Ben Runge and Jamo Flynn were the next to have good chances, with the latter coming as close as you can, with his strike hitting the post.
Woy Woy still trying to implement their gameplan had a great chance to halve the deficit in the 32nd minute when a deep free kick from Matt Jacobson eluded the Lion’s defence, but Ty Daniel could only put his volleyed effort over the crossbar from 6 yards.
Lepre seemed to have left his shooting boots at home this week, after missing the target again after some nice combination play with Flynn.
Woy Woy went closest to scoring next when Jayke Brown’s exquisite side-foot volley narrowly missed the top corner of the net from a Rooster corner.
Maybe switching off for a second moments later, a quick long throw from Balneaves found Flynn, who squared the ball to Runge just inside the 18-yard box. In the act of shooting, Runge was fouled, and a penalty was awarded.
Lepre this time made no mistake, sending the Jack Arigho the wrong way to have the Lions three out in front in the 45th minute.
From the kickoff, Woy Woy showed some of the promise of the early rounds, putting together a 12-pass movement that resulted in open space for Harvey Shannon Silvester to receive the ball and put Mathew Jacobsen through on goal with a lovely finish under pressure to get one back for the home side.
The second half started much like the first, with Southern creating some half-chances and Woy Woy having the odd attacking foray.
In the 57th minute, a needless foul out near the left touchline gave Southern another opportunity to swing a ball into the box. Despite warnings from the referee, some wrestling from a Woy Woy defender resulted in another penalty.
Much like the first one, Lepre sent the opposition goalkeeper the wrong way to put the result further out of reach for the Roosters.
The Woy Woy goalkeeper Jack Arigho was doing his best to stop the score line from ticking over in the next 15 minutes, making good saves from Jack Goncalves and Charlie Polson’s attempts.
Woy Woy had their own decent chances in that same period, with the best falling to Matt Jacobson. Sent through on goal after beating the offside trap, Jacobson rounded the GK but dragged his shot across the face of the goal.
In the 84th minute, a foul at halfway on Baker resulted in some Woy Woy players remonstrating with the referee. Ultimately this ended with a second yellow card being handed out to Aaron Brien, leaving the Roosters with a tough end to the match with 10 men.
Only 4 minutes later, some good combination play between Lepre, and substitute Alfie Martin saw a cross calmly brought down by fellow substitute Christian Smith, who then finished into the corner to wrap up the points.
This wasn’t the last scoring opportunity, as with the 90mins elapsing, another silly foul from Woy Woy in the box gave Lepre the opportunity the get his second hat-trick in as many weeks.
It was Arigho who won the duel this time, saving the spot kick, though his parry did land at the feet of Smith, who this time couldn’t match his composure of minutes earlier and dragged his shot wide from 8 yards as the final result finished 5-1 in favour of the Lions.
Matt Page commented on his first derby win as head coach. “A typical derby game as I’ve come to expect from these two clubs. Woy Woy seems to have a plan to try and be physical and get us off our game, but I was proud that my boys kept their composure and did our talking on the scoreboard.”
“Credit though to the Woy Woy lads, despite the score line, they competed for the full ninety minutes and made us work hard for the points. A big challenge for us next week against Terrigal.”
Woy Woy’s Shaun Macey mentioned a far from ideal build-up to the game which was evident come kick-off. “Preparations were less than ideal this week.”
“Many of the boys missed training with illness and some key players were missing the game through injury. We showed glimpses of good play on the ball but need to work harder off the ball.”
“This is not to take anything away from SEU. It is clear they are competition contenders and I just hope we can offer them more from the fixture on the return, something deserving of a derby day.”
“Also, hats off to Pagey who managed the game well, adjusting his team to the overloads we looked to create. Best of luck for the remainder of the season.”
Match Official – Luke Dunkerley
Avoca 2 – 4 East Gosford
This past weekend saw Avoca unable to snap their 5-game losing streak as Troy Ward and East Gosford recorded their second victory of their 2024 campaign, scoring four goals in a single game for the first time this season.
In the opening few minutes both teams started well, feeling each other out and settling into the game. In the 9th minute, a well-played ball over the top allowed Oliver Vanderslot to break the defensive line and lob a ball over the advancing keeper into an empty net for the first goal.
That lifted the East Gosford side as they kicked into another gear with some good play going forward. In the 15th minute, a defensively cleared ball found its way to Lachlan Gunn who rocketed a well-hit volley from around 25 yards only to be denied by an excellent fingertip save from the Avoca keeper tipping it over the bar at the last second.
East Gosford continued to pile on the pressure and were awarded another corner in the 30th minute. From that corner, the ball was crossed in and Matias Paz rose above everyone and buried the ball into the back of the net with a well-timed and well-placed header for East Gosford’s second goal.
In the 47th minute, another East Gosford corner was driven across low and flat that managed to evade everyone and find its way to the back post where Matias Paz pounced quickly and buried the ball into the back of the net for his second of the day as East Gosford entered the half time break with a comfortable 3-0 lead.
The second half started the same way with East Gosford applying more pressure. Avoca started to get more and more into the game and both teams exchanged several attacking raids with only the finishing product letting them down.
In the 63rd minute, East Gosford built the possession well and got the ball out wide to Charlie Entwistle who went at the defenders with purpose.
He weaved in and around and past three Avoca players before whipping a low drive across the goal to find Lachlan Gunn who made a great run and was able to place the ball into the goal for East Gosford’s fourth goal.
Avoca’s never-give-up attitude continued and were rewarded a few minutes later when a beautifully placed over-the-top diagonal ball found Tyler Wade’s feet who controlled it nicely and buried his shot for their first goal of the day.
This set up an exciting and fast-paced finish as East Gosford seemed to sit back and want to defend their now 3-goal lead for the remaining 20 minutes.
Avoca threw attack after attack at the East Gosford defence who managed to hold strong until the 88th minute when Roan Brown picked up the ball after some good build-up play, Brown made a weaving diagonal run through the East Gosford players and took a well-taken strike putting the ball past the outstretched keeper for the fixture’s sixth and final goal.
“Today I was extremely happy with the lads,” announced Troy Ward. “A great turnaround after last week’s disappointment.”
“It’s what I wanted to see from the lads. We controlled the play well with some excellent build-ups in the goals as well. To be up 4-0 against a good Avoca side was great but we need to stay switched on in these games for the full 90 minutes and ensure we close out games with the same intensity we start them with.”
Ward also commended the opposition, “I have a lot of respect for Joel and the whole Avoca squad. They’re a great bunch of guys who are full of talent and never to be taken lightly. I wish them all the best for the games ahead and I hope things start to turn around for them.”
Match Official – Kyle Hockings
Golden Boot Standings –
| 7 | Jacob Lepre (Southern & Ettalong) |
| 5 | Mason Lavery (Kanwal) |
| 4 | Jack Elwood (Southern), Ashley Henderson (Woongarrah), Logan Moore (Kanwal), Matias Paz (East Gosford), Oliver Vanderslot (East Gosford) |
Points Table –
Club Championship –
Division 1
Round 7 Results –
Points Table –
Club Championship –
