Berkeley Vale 3 – 0 Wyoming
Berkeley Vale handed Wyoming their first loss since being promoted back into the top-flight competition, defeating the Tigers to secure their second victory of the season.
Wyoming entered the contest with the Wombats with Scott Snodgrass looking to set up defensively minded against the reigning Premiers, looking to counter Berkeley Vale who enjoyed the majority of the ball throughout the ninety minutes.
The home side started well, threatening the flanks of Wyoming with Conor Fitzpatrick and Felix Beed who caused damage when receiving the ball out wide.
Wyoming were well-organised and extremely determined, holding out Berkeley for much of the opening half.
Big shouts for a handball inside the Wombats box were turned down by the official. Berkeley were able to swiftly move the ball to the other end of the pitch where Felix Beed converted a good through ball to give his side a 1-0 lead at the break.
The second half was played out in a similar fashion as Wyoming continued to set up defensively to keep the opposition’s attack at bay, whilst searching for chances on the counterattack when presented.
Berkeley Vale had multiple chances to double their lead but were unable to convert on their opportunities until 70 minutes into the contest when attacking duo Conor Fitzpatrick and Jakeb Brownlow connected as Brownlow finished well to take the game to 2-0.
In the search of salvaging something from the contest, Wyoming made three substitutions, throwing numbers forward in search of a goal.
Despite having more possession than previous, Wyoming were unable to turn any half chances into goals.
Just prior to the final whistle, a torrential downpour hit Mingara Oval as Berkeley Vale hit the back of the net for their third and final goal after Joshua Cairelli was able to poke the ball home in the 90th minute.
After picking up the win, a proud Mark Pratt voiced, “We are slowly building up some good cohesion and look forward to playing Avoca next weekend on hopefully a slick Pluim Park.”
Scott Snodgrass commended the opposition post-match, ““Berkeley are a side that play beautiful free-flowing, attacking football. They are well coached with quality players and it’s not luck that they are last year’s Premiers”
“I am proud of my young group of players and the discipline they showed in defence. The penalty shout that was turned down and then them scoring at the other end just before half-time hurt, but that’s football.”
“We continued to try and play but found it challenging to keep the ball. The game opened up a bit more when we threw everything at them, but they handled it well. We aren’t miles off the top sides but there is further work to do. I have no doubt Gumps, and his squad will be their finals time again this season.”
“Finally, I have to comment on the state of the pitch. With the irrigation left on, it left the surface, particularly the flanks heavy and chopped up after the Reserve grade game. Whilst it’s not the ‘Bats’ fault, the game and our top grade deserves better. We want to increase the standard and profile of the league on one hand, yet play on substandard surfaces, is a step in the wrong direction in my view.”
Match Official – Trent Dickeson
Kanwal 1 – 1 Southern & Ettalong
The only two teams with a perfect win record after two rounds met this past Saturday night and the contest did not disappoint. It was a high-stakes, high-quality match with plenty of moments but both teams would have to settle for a point after an intense ninety minutes.
Kanwal had an opportunity to open the scoring early with some nice build-up play seeing Zac Moore run into the box, round the keeper and square the ball to Logan Moore, whose shot into an empty net was blocked by some desperate defence.
A few minutes later a Callum Dunkerley free kick was well saved by the Southern keeper Alex Wardle. Kanwal were starting to get on top, but it would be a Southern who would strike first.
28 minutes into the contest the game received the opening goal. A dangerous free kick from Jacob Lepre led to a good parry by the Kanwal keeper which resulted in a corner.
A well-placed corner was swung in by Sam Webb, but Callum Dunkerley was able to head clear over the sideline again for a second straight corner.
Webb looked for a different approach this time, playing a long, flat ball to the top of Kanwal’s box where Jacob Lepre was lurking and was able to produce a quality first-time finish past multiple defenders to give Southern the lead.
Southern now getting an equal share of possession, but it would be Zac Moore who should have levelled the scores after running onto a through ball and being one-on-one with the Southern keeper only to put his shot high and wide of the goal.
Kanwal found their reply ten minutes after conceding when Jason Cozens pounced on a defensive error. Cozens worked the ball to Dunkerley who had a strike on goal that was blocked well by Alex Wardle.
Cozens, who was waiting on top of the box, saw the blocked shot fall nicely into his path as he also shot on goal, this time blocked by defender Jack Jenkins who could only clear the ball as far as the lurking Logan Moore who finished calmly into an open net.
Both teams had chances to take the lead before half-time, including a Jason Cozens free kick was saved by the Southern keeper. Both teams going into the half-time break locked at 1-1.
The second half was another tight contest with both defences playing well and limiting the opportunities of both teams.
Kanwal’s best chance fell to Joey Liddle who ran onto a lovely through ball and found himself on goal with the Southern keeper, only to hit his shot straight at the keeper.
Southern’s best chance occurred in the last few minutes with the ball falling to the Southern substitute Jack Ellwood but his shot from close range was straight at the Kanwal keeper and both teams would settle for a point.
Kanwal Coach Ryan Walker was happy after the game. “It was a good game in terms of intensity and physicality from both teams, I thought we moved the ball around well and probably had a slight edge on chances created.”
“To be honest Southern have picked up a fair few new faces but I still think their greatest threat is their set pieces and once again they take their chances on them and credit to them for that.”
Walker added, “We have had a good start to the season and hopefully we can keep it up for the season.”
“I think a draw was probably a fair result after what was quality, high paced match against Kanwal,” voiced Matt Page.
“They are a team that are full of energy and are dangerous for the full 90mins, and they showed that again Saturday. We scored a good goal to go ahead, only to be punished for one moment of communication breakdown in our defence.”
“The second half started off more cagey, with both defences on top, but the heavens opened up with twenty to go and both sides had chances to get the win, but both GK’s made good saves to keep the scores level. All the best to Ryan and his lads, and we look forward to another tough game against them in the second round.”
Match Official – Anthony Kabbout
Golden Boot Standings –
| 5 | Logan Moore (Kanwal), |
| 2 | Braith Hedley (Killarney), Stuart Adams (Budgewoi), William Bowden (Ourimbah), Tood Balneaves (Southern), Jack Jenkins (Southern), Joshua Cairelli (Berkeley Vale) |
Points Table –
Division 1
Round 3 Results –
Points Table –
