Match of the Round
Umina 1 – 6 East Gosford
East Gosford turned up knowing that Umina were just three points behind them on the ladder and it would be a crucial game for them on enemy territory on a Saturday night.
The Rams also entered this night game knowing it would be more tricky than usual, having four players having to play injured or sitting on the bench.
With neither of their usual two goalkeepers available, Zoe from their WAA2 helped fill the void and started in goals for the Rams.
As for Umina, injuries and sickness saw them able to only muster eight players for this game. In order for this game to go ahead and for the club to raise money, Umina arranged for multiple junior players to fill the remaining spots on the field and the bench.
Pregame instructions from Jorge Chavez were to dominate the midfield as he believed the team that won the midfield battle would come out victorious.
Umina started the game with an extremely defensive formation, making life a little tricky for the East Gosford side, especially their midfielders but the Rams were soon able to find their usual rhythm of finding spaces in between the lines of the opposition.
Annika Hansen was first on the scoresheet for the Rams as they took the lead just 15 minutes in.
Jessica Dominello made it 2-0 just two minutes later with her first off the day and was next on the scoresheet again as the Rams furthered their advantage to 3-0 after 26 minutes played.
Aleah Soames secured her first goal of the year against her former club to put East Gosford up 4-0.
The returning Kate Styles for Umina was able to grab one back for the home side before halftime as the two teams headed for the sheds at the break with the score 4-1 in favour of the Rams.
Another brace in the second half saw Dominello record four goals to her name, further adding to her already impressive tally in the 2024 season as she finishes the round with 13 goals and on top of the Golden Boot standings.
Match Official – Troy Ward
Woongarrah 3 – 4 Kanwal
The second instalment of the 2024 local derby between Woongarrah and Kanwal had it all as the Bulls were able to claw their way back into the contest to deny their rivals their first win of the season.
The visitors struck early just six minutes into Saturday night’s contest after a great cross was met by an even better header from Kanwal’s Joanna Mitchell who gave her side a 1-0 lead.
Not to be deterred, Woongarrah was able to hit back twice of their own in the 28th and 38th minutes thanks to some individual brilliance from 2023 WPL Golden Boot winner Kelly Hogan as the Wildcats took a crucial 2-1 lead into the break.
Another week of sickness and injury saw the Wildcats forced to play the second period with just 10 players on the field.
Nonetheless, Woongarrah was able to further extend their lead just 6 minutes into the second period with none other than Kelly Hogan who recorded her hat-trick.
Kanwal replied almost instantly with their second of the day as Tasharn Smith converted from the penalty spot to mark her fourth goal of the season.
On the 70-minute mark, a free-kick in a dangerous area saw Hayley Green step up for the Bulls and convert with a tremendous shot that crept over the top of the opposition goalkeeper to level the scores at 3-3.
For the second consecutive week, it looked like Woongarrah would be heading for a draw, but a defensive mistake allowed Jennifer Tatum to score the winner with just six minutes left to play as Kanwal would go on to secure a 4-3 victory for the third time this season.
“Congrats to both teams for what was a fantastic game. Well done to Kanwal for playing the entire ninety minutes,” said Woongarrah’s Kaine Harmsworth.
Match Official – Brendan Wirz
Golden Boot Standings –
| 13 | Jessica Dominello (East Gosford) |
| 11 | Laura Mundy (East Gosford) |
| 10 | Kelly Hogan (Woongarrah) |
| 9 | Kate Styles (Umina) |
| 6 | Madelene Yates (Terrigal), Charlotte Heath (Kincumber) |
Points Table –
Division 1
Round 12 Results –
Points Table –
