Killarney v East Gosford
Edsacc Oval headlines round 15 of the 2024 MPL competition as Killarney will welcome East Gosford on Saturday night for an entertaining clash with plenty on the line for both sides.
Despite their poor start to the season, the seven straight MPL League Champions Killarney still have a chance of further cementing themselves as the greatest team in Central Coast Football history as they currently remain just two wins away from league leaders Berkeley Vale.
After their opening seven fixtures, Killarney only had two wins to their name, but the defending champions have since recorded five wins in their last six matches, including multiple high-scoring games which makes them one of the most in-form and dangerous teams currently in the competition.
“I think the turning point in our season came when we started converting the chances we were creating in games, which gave the boys a huge boost in confidence as defensively we had been quite good,” reflected Chris Ackerley.
Their only loss in this run came against title contenders Woongarrah who managed to claim a 3-2 victory over the Terriers mid-week in a catch-up game. Not to be deterred, Chris Ackerley and his side got back to winning ways last weekend with a clinical 2-0 win over Avoca.
With six games in eighteen days now behind them, Ackerley talked about how his team has pulled up after this difficult schedule. “We’ve been quite lucky with injuries over this busy period with the only player to miss out injured has been Andy Klijn who has missed the last two matches but is due back on Saturday night.”
“A big plus for us has been being able to use one of our sponsor, Forrester’s Beach Gym, recovery rooms which has been a huge help to our players. Morale is high with the boys now knowing if they want to play finals then it’s a possibility with the run that we have just had.”
The addition of Ryan Gibson into the squad this season has made a major impact on this team as the attacker is the leading goal scorer for the Terriers with nine goals in 2024.
Gibson found the back of the net twice last week in their 2-0 win over the Sharks and also featured on the scoresheet against East Gosford in their last encounter as he was able to score another two against the Rams.
That meeting with the Rams ended 5-2 in favour of Killarney despite being on enemy territory. Although they enter Saturday’s fixture already claiming a win over the opposition, Ackerley had high praise for the Rams and stated his side will need to be at their best to claim another victory.
“East Gosford are a good young side who love to attack so to come away with a victory on Saturday we are going to have to track runners, be solid all over the park, and keep our shape.”
“Should be a big night, with the 30th anniversary of the Killarney Kripples, thus a big crowd should be on show.”
This weekend’s visitors are also coming off a busy schedule as the Rams were unsuccessful in backing up their biggest win of the year. Two weeks ago, East Gosford faced off with a Woy Woy side who are facing relegation as the Roosters currently sit last on the Club Championship ladder.
Ward’s side defeated Woy Woy 6-0 two weekends ago to claim vital points for their season in their third win of the year. Ward’s men currently sit 19 points from relegation safety as they look for a turning point in their season.
Troy Ward also expressed how his side is managing at this stage of the season and is adamant confidence is high within the Rams camp. “We’ve been managing the busy load with lightened training sessions but still focussing on our key objectives.”
“Injuries we’ve been fairly lucky with only two players sustaining strains which we’ve managed with pool recovery sessions. Morale is still high in the squad, and we believe we still have plenty to offer in the run home.”
Although the Rams only have 10 points to their name on the MPL ladder after 13 rounds, this year’s competition has been the closest we have seen in decades and East Gosford have matched it with the competition’s best week in and week out.
Their last two results have seen the Rams compete against league leaders Berkeley and former league leaders Terrigal as the Rams came up just short 1-0 in both fixtures, however, Ward suggests his side will be looking at the positives of these narrow defeats.
“A couple of narrow losses to top-end contenders has shown us we can compete with the top teams and definitely deserve to be in the premier competition. We’ve learnt that we are a side that won’t stop competing for ninety minutes and more than capable of getting a few results in games ahead.”
Ward also spoke on what he and his side absorbed in their last meeting with the Terriers. “We’ve learnt that Killarney have several key players across the field and if given too much time on the ball and allowed to settle they can be dangerous.”
“We will be looking at preventing that and putting on a high-intensity performance to nullify their style of football. As for this weekend, we will need to bring out A game for sure.”
As we build to this blockbuster fixture, Killarney will enter Saturday night with statistically the best attack in the league while East Gosford currently boast the joint worst defence in the competition as the Rams will look to shut down the attacking prowess of the home side.
“To get the three points we will need to have the intensity and desire we’ve had the last few weeks but be a little more composed when in possession and play to our strengths. I’m expecting a cracker game if both teams turn up and put on the expected show,” added Ward.
Match Official – Jasper White
All Round 15 Fixtures –
