Match of the Round
Killarney 2 – 0 East Gosford
Two goals in the second half saw the Terriers clinch a vital win and keep their finals hopes alive as they now sit just two points out of the top four with four games left to play.
In this highly anticipated match, the contest stared at a very high intensity with both teams enjoying a shared amount of possession trying to feel each other out. There was a lot of attacking football with very few chances on goal arising from it.
It was an extremely tough match for the reigning champions against an East Gosford side who pressured them the entire game.
Killarney were unlucky not to take the lead in the opening period after attacker Cam Brown hit the crossbar with his shot which seemed to come down and bounce over the line, but the official deemed otherwise.
East Gosford shortly after were unlucky as a ball was played through for Lucas Dominello who raced ahead of his defender to get to the ball first and was headed directly towards goal when the defender grabbed him from behind and dragged him to the ground just before he entered the penalty area.
However, the defender was only shown a yellow card, and the goal-scoring opportunity was lost. The resulting free kick was taken by Charlie Entwistle whose shot was heading for the top corner only to be tipped over the bar by the reliable Declan Drake and the score remained locked at 0-0 after the opening 45 minutes of play.
The second half started the same way with both teams relentlessly throwing effort after effort at each other before Killarney would break the deadlock in the 60th minute when East Gosford turned over possession in their back third and Killarney pounced quickly.
Killarney scored their first goal after a corner from Harry Fountain was met by Ryan Gibson with a powerful header that was deflected in by Will Hamilton for his first goal of the season.
Following the goal, Hamilton was shown a second yellow for his celebration which reduced Killarney to 10 men for the final 30 minutes.
The game started to open up a little more from here and East Gosford continued to throw attack after attack down on Killarney, but a credit to them, their defence remained solid.
The latter stages continued to see East Gosford bearing down more attacks on the rock-solid defence but just couldn’t break through. The Rams threw everything forward chasing for an equaliser which left them open at the back for counter-attacking opportunities.
With only minutes left to play, Killarney secured their second goal of the night after a great run from defender Adam Smith saw him brought down by the opposition defender in the box and Killarney awarded a penalty.
Goal-scoring machine Ryan Gibson expertly converted from the spot to mark his tenth goal of the season and send the fans home delighted who were at Edsacc celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Killarney Kripples.
“Pleased to get away with a win plus another clean sheet, onto Avoca next week in another match we must win if we are to try and play finals this year,” commented Chris Ackerley.
Troy Ward also reflected on the game. “I’m really proud of my boys. We knew it was a match of the round fixture against the six-time champions and it was going to be a very tough game.”
“I asked the lads to step up and put them to the test and put on a good show for the big crowd that was there in attendance and that we did. Whilst the scoreline reads 2-0 the game was much closer than that.”
Ward also added, “After another close contest with nothing to show for it points-wise. We are at least showing our never-say-die attitude and continuing to turn up each week and making every teamwork for their points.”
“We may be sitting third last on the ladder, but we are no easy beats and every team that’s faced us in the last few weeks now knows that. This week we regroup and prepare for a return battle with Terrigal which I’m sure the boys will be wanting the turn the result around this time.”
“Well done to Killarney also. They’re an amazing squad that fights for everything week in and week out and can never be underestimated. I’d also like to thank the Killarney Football Club for the after-match function. That kind of stuff doesn’t happen anymore, so it was nice to see, and it was good to sit back afterwards and reflect on the battle over a good feed and a beer. Best of luck to them over the next few weeks as they look to surge for finals contention.”
Match Official – Dylan Watson
Avoca 2 – 4 Kanwal
Kanwal finds themselves back in the winner’s collum and back inside the top four after returning to their usual ways, securing a huge victory over the relegation-battling Sharks to sit just three points from the league leaders.
It was an even start with neither team really troubling their opposition keeper during the first half. Avoca’s best chance came from a quick free kick which was played wide with the cross finding the Avoca striker whose header was well saved by Kurtis Mahon.
Avoca’s high line and playing the offside trap was troubling Kanwal who only had a few half chances from distance but otherwise struggled to create chances on goals as neither side could break the deadlock after the opening 45 minutes.
Kanwal made a few minor adjustments to start the second half to counter the opposition’s high line and beat the offside trap. However, it would be a wonderful strike from distance by Callum Dunkerley in the first minute that gave Kanwal a 1-0 lead and allowed the game to open up a bit more.
They would then double their lead in the 65th minute after stealing the ball in midfield and playing it to Mason Lavery who split the Avoca defenders and made no mistake with a neat finish into the bottom corner.
It wasn’t long before the Bulls furthered their advantage even more to 3-0 when a Kanwal corner was turned into the Avoca goal by the Avoca defender.
With a 3-0 lead Kanwal switched off slightly and allowed Avoca back into the game. First, a strike from distance was misjudged by Mohan to give Avoca their first goal thanks to Jago Stackhouse. A few minutes later Avoca got their second through Mitchel Moody to provide Kanwal a nervous final few minutes.
However, substitute Zac Moore would put the game to bed in the final minute with a quick counterattack by the Moore brothers seeing Zac have the final say with a calm finish.
Kanwal Coach Ryan Walker was happy and relieved at the end of the game. “I thought we were in control for most of the game, but as I’ve said many times you cannot switch off for a moment in this league or you will be punished.”
“I think Avoca have some dangerous players, but I thought for the most part we were able to nullify their threats and scored some good goals ourselves.”
Match Official – Jason Blackwood
Terrigal 2 – 3 Berkeley Vale
Conor Fitzpatrick scored late to claim a momentous three points for Berkeley Vale as the league leaders bounce back from last week’s slip up to set themselves up in poll position come the final four rounds of the year.
The Wombats got off to a great start on enemy territory with a slight advantage, creating some small chances after some long balls from Nick Trengrove.
15 minutes in, Berkeley’s Josh Cairelli found some space on the end of the box. The bobbling ball looked to have hit his hand taking it past Terrigal’s defence, onto his favoured left foot. He made no mistake striking it back across the goal into the bottom corner.
From here the match became an arm wrestle with both teams offering opportunities to each other through mistakes rather than good play as Terrigal took full advantage of the opposition’s error to find the equaliser halfway through the first half.
Great link-up play between Mahkye Brownlie and Aiden Bastick put Haydn Harris into space between the Berkeley defence. He was able to round the keeper and finish his chance levelling the game up.
Shortly after a slight mistake at the back from Berkeley saw Hayden Harris in a one-on-one again but a great save from Steven Grimmitt kept the game level at the break.
The second half started as another arm wrestle as the game remained in the balance. However, it took the O’lads just five minutes in the second half to find the breakthrough goal thanks to Kai Forshaw.
On 60 minutes after some great work, Aidan Bastick was fouled on the edge of the area, but the resulting free-kick couldn’t beat the wall as Terrigal looked to further extend their lead.
With the pressure now on the opposition Berkeley Vale to respond, the Wombats introduced Jakeb Brownlow off the bench as they looked to gain some momentum and apply force to a Terrigal team that now looked to soak up some pressure.
A set piece with 20 minutes to go in a dangerous area for the Wombats ended in a goalmouth scramble as Shane Littlehales was able to react and produce a good finish to put both teams back on level terms at 2-2.
With time running out, both teams searched for the winning goal that could play a major part in the context of the season. With five minutes left to play, Conor Fitzpatrick found himself on the end of a through ball to calmly lob the outcoming keeper to get the goal and ultimately the win in tough conditions.
Pleased with picking up all club championship points, Mark Pratt stated, “It was another tough game against Terrigal at Terrigal.”
“It is always a tough place to pick up points, but we managed to do so across all three grades keeping our 21s and Ressies alive in the race for semi-finals.”
“A really disappointing day for us,” voiced Ryan Pearce. “Back at home and losing all three grades was tough. Credit to Berkeley though, they played well and took their chances.”
Match Official – Jasper White
Southern & Ettalong 0 – 1 Budgewoi
Locky Buxton’s second-half goal was the only thing that separated these two sides as Budgewoi kept their finals hopes alive, amd Southern must now pick up the pieces and string together a perfect run of games if they wish to finish the season as league champions.
A second consecutive home game after not playing in James Browne Oval in nine weeks saw Southern look to start fast and keep the momentum rolling from their emphatic 5-0 win over Kanwal the week earlier.
With plenty on the line for both teams, the opening half saw a real back-and-forth arm wrestle.
Southern looked dangerous from corners and free kicks when Jacob Lepre was on the ball, and their long throw-ins from Todd Balneaves kept the Budgewoi defence on their toes as their keeper was forced to make some great saves in the opening period.
Budgewoi had chances of their own and looked dangerous when attacking on the counter, their attacking duo of Josh Swadling and Ty Warby created a few half chances which were shut down well by Alex Wardle and the Southern backline.
Neither team was able to convert on their chances in the opening 45 minutes as the two teams headed for the sheds with the scoreline locked at 0-0.
Southern took control of the game to start the second half and were unlucky not to open the scoring after a powerful shot from Lepre was not dealt with by the Budgie goalie who parried the ball into the path of Brock Van Aalderen, but his header was also denied by another great save.
As Southern looked more and more dangerous, pushing bodies forward in hopes of finding the opening goal, Budgewoi continued to break with pace whenever winning possession and counterattacked with intent.
Sam Webb and his midfield counterpart Lepre were instrumental in creating opportunities for their forwards who should have found the back of the net, but wayward shooting made it easy for the Budgewoi keeper to keep his clean sheet intact.
60 minutes into the contest Budgewoi were awarded a free-kick close to the halfway line, Swadling delivered the ball which the Southern player attempted to clear but some confusion allowed Locky Buxton to react and deliver a powerful strike into the top corner to give the visitors the lead.
Southern looked for an instant reply and were unlucky not to find an equaliser with a few chances on goal as the Budgewoi defence led by Ryan Frame was able to defuse any of Southern’s attacks.
Southern brought on substitutes Keith Gumbs and Alfie Martin with the hopes they would be able to break the deadlock for the Lions.
Gumbs found himself in the box after a throw-in as he was able to take a touch and bicycle kick the ball into the bottom corner only to be deemed offside and the goal ruled out.
As the game went on and tensions got higher, enforcer Jack Ellwood was shown a second yellow card as time ran out for the home side and Budgewoi scraped to a 1-0 victory in an intense battle.
Matt Page spoke on his side’s fourth loss of the season. “Today was a tough battle between two good sides. We were a little bit clunky in periods of the game, but I can’t fault the effort of my guys at all.”
“We competed well for the full ninety, made chances throughout the game but couldn’t quite get the ball over the line. Like most of the MPL games this year, it was the team who took their chances that grabbed the points and that was Budgewoi today, all credit to them. We wish them all the best for the remainder of the season.”
“It’s such a tight and competitive season this year, whoever ends up taking home the trophy will definitely have earned it. If we want it to be us, then it’s imperative we bounce back next week against Kanwal.”
Page also mentioned, “Big shout out to Haydn and the Budgewoi lads who hung around in the clubhouse post-match. It’s always enjoyable to share a beer with opponents after a tough game.”
Match Official – Alexander Robinson
Woongarrah 3 – 0 Woy Woy
Woongarrah keep their incredible run of form going, winning eight of their last nine fixtures to keep the pressure on league leaders Berkeley Vale who can’t afford to slip up in the final four games of the 2024 winter season.
The game was just 15 minutes old when the first real chance would present itself for the home side with Ashley Henderson dribbling through the opposition to get into the box and finding Ridge Mapu with a neat pass who would score from close range.
30 minutes into the contest, set piece specialist Jacob Melling fired a free kick that would be met by Myles Donnelly who headed home Woongarrah’s second of the day to give them a 2-0 advantage.
Woongarrah looked to further inflict damage on the opposition inside the opening half, creating some half chances, but Woy Woy would get the opportunity to half the deficit before the break only to hit the crossbar from inside the opposition’s 18-yard box.
With the second half underway, Woongarrah asserted their dominance from the start, creating some great chances early on but failed to score.
Ten minutes into the half, the provider now became the goal scorer as Jacob Melling intercepted a failed clearance from outside the box, took a great first-touch and half volleyed pass the keeper to extend Woongarrah’s lead to 3-0.
Woongarrah looked to have a fourth in the final moments of the game, only to be denied for offside. Nonetheless, the Wildcats took home all three points thanks to a three-goal win over the Roosters.
“Woy Woy on their day are capable of beating anyone in this league and they gave us a great battle for the whole match,” voiced Luke Rogers.
“I’m very happy with my boy’s efforts off the ball and our mentality. We got the win we needed and kept a clean.”
Match Official – Miles Allen-Scott
Golden Boot Standings –
| 13 | Logan Moore (Kanwal), Jacob Lepre (Southern & Ettalong) |
| 10 | Jack Ellwood (Southern & Ettalong), Ryan Gibson (Killarney) |
| 9 | Ashley Henderson (Woongarrah) |
| 8 | Ty Warby (Budgewoi), Oliver Vanderslot (East Gosford) |
| 7 | Jakeb Brownlow (Berkeley Vale), Josh Swadling (Budgewoi) |
Points Table –
Club Championship –
Division 1
Round 15 Results –
Points Table –
Club Championship –
