MATCH OF THE ROUND
Southern & Ettalong 7 – 2 Woongarrah
The Magic Round Match of the Round saw Matt Page’s Southern & Ettalong obliterate the defending League Champions, scoring seven past Luke Rogers’s men to go top of the MPL ladder after four rounds.
Within the first five minutes, a long-range free kick from Jacob Melling was misjudged by the Southern keeper, resulting in a goal and an early lead for the Wildcats.
10 minutes in the game Southern almost went back on level terms after a dangerous freekick was whipped in by Jacob Lepre, Todd Balneaves got his head to the ball, but his effort drifted wide of the post.
However, the game would take a turn for Woongarrah at the 28-minute mark. A cleared corner fell to Noah Ajala, who got the ball quickly back out to corner taker Lepre, who then delivered a first-time ball to the back post where Todd Balneaves headed the ball back across the goal.
Jack Ellwood rose to execute a bicycle kick which was goal-bound, only for Woongarrah’s Alex Govorcin to block the effort with his outstretched arms as he was awarded a red card and Southern were awarded a penalty.
Balneaves blasted the ball down the middle from the spot to take the game back on level terms.
Southern then took the lead 44 minutes in after some good interplay between Ajala and Lepre, Ajala delivered a cross to the far post where Matt Jacobsen was on hand to tap the ball home.
Winning the ball in midfield, Ajala released Jayke Browne down the left-hand flank. He then squared the ball through to Jack Elwood, but the striker was unable to guide his effort on target.
From the resulting goal kick, Southern immediately won the ball back in the attacking third, with Jacobsen driving to the byline and picking out Browne to finish the scoring for the first half.
It took Southern just five minutes into the second period to extend their 3-1 scoreline. Receiving the ball from a throw-in, Sam Webb picked out Ellwood who turned the ball out wide to Preston Daniel.
Daniel’s cross was met by a Woongarrah defender, though his attempt to head clear ended with the ball landing at the feet of Jacobsen, whose goal-bound strike was intercepted by teammate Browne, poking the ball past the opposition keeper.
A foul on Jacobsen right on the edge of the 18-yard box allowed free-kick specialist Lepre to step up and try and get on the scoresheet for the second week in a row. The Woongarrah goalie was unable to keep out Lepre’s low drive as the scoreline extended to 5-1.
Pouncing on a loose pass when SEU were playing out from the back, Kit Gillings found Josef Lewis. Hitting the ball first time, Lewis curled his strike into the top right-hand corner of the goal to give Wardle no chance.
With Woongarrah still trying to play some expansive football, Sam Webb managed to intercept an opposition pass and instantly place a slide rule ball into the path of substitute Brock Van Aalderen, who tapped home a sixth for the Lions.
Starting with Balneaves winning the ball in defence, Southern worked the ball up the field through Billy Auton, who squared the ball to Webb. Webb laid the ball off to Forsberg who expertly looped the ball over the GK from 25 yards to finish off the scoring and marking a fantastic result for Southern.
“My guys had a bit of a chip on their shoulder with regards to how we were sent out of the Association Cup, and seeing we were playing both finalists in the first few weeks of the season, the Budgewoi and Woongarrah games were circled on the calendar as ones the boys really wanted to win. I’m really happy that we were able to get a result in both of those games.”
Matt Page added, “Woongarrah’s plans took a hit when they lost Gorvo, but I thought we were good value even up until our first goal. We moved the ball well and for the first time this year we started to take advantage of some of our open play chances.”
“The quality of the Woongarrah side was there all night and especially evident in their two goals. We knew we had to be on defensively and despite one or two lapses, the boys were very good in this area.”
“Whilst it was a good win, it’s just 3 points at the end of the day and our focus now turns to what we know will be a tough encounter on Saturday night at Alan Davidson Oval.”
Page also took time to thank his players who stepped up when needed. “Big shout out to all the guys in my squad, we were stretched very thin over the weekend due to unavailabilities. The First Grade lads also backed up their win Saturday night with a good win in our State Cup away fixture on Sunday. A big effort from all the lads.”
Luke Rogers also commented on the result. “Tough one to swallow the straight red card when it was a bicycle kick. High foot in the air and at close range to the defender.”
“Changed the game, losing our captain and centre-back really hurt us and had a massive impact on the result. Southern are undefeated for a reason, they are a quality team and Matt has them playing great.”
“So to have to play them with ten men on a big quality pitch like Pluim for three-quarters of the game, it would be foreseen to only end one way unfortunately.”
Match Official – Miles Allen-Scott
Wyoming 1 – 2 Terrigal
The O’lads scored their first win of the season on Saturday, in our inaugural Magic Round, knocking off a determined Wyoming side who now record back-to-back defeats after four games played.
It was a bright start from Terrigal, scoring in the first 5 minutes with Josh Anderson, making his starting debut, following a corner to the back post to easily finish and get Terrigal off to a dream start.
Wyoming started to get their way into the game, and they were rewarded on the 30-minute mark when the dangerous Jared Mcnee held off a strong challenge and played a pass through on goal for striker Panashe Mudavose to finish and level up the scores.
Straight from the kickoff, Terrigal went on the attack, with Josh Anderson getting in behind the defence and showing his strength to evade defenders and get a shot off.
The shot was blocked by the goalkeeper but straight into the path of Aidan Bastick who calmly slotted home to give Terrigal the lead again.
The second half was very tense, with both sides creating plenty but not being able to find a finish, A dangerous free kick from Terrigal found Max Vegter unmarked, but a great save from the Wyoming keeper kept them in it.
Wyoming had good chances of their own with multiple great saves by Connor Noble and a goal-line clearance from Ryan Pearce, in the end, Terrigal walked away with a 2-1 win with their season now off and running.
“Very disappointed in the result, the game was there for the taking,” stated Wyoming’s Scott Snodgrass.
“Multiple opportunities to win the game in the second half, we just could not convert which has been a common theme. Not sure we deserved to lose but that’s football when you don’t take your chances. Congratulations to Ryan and his squad on the win, they worked hard and held us out.”
Match Official – Luke Dunkerley
Killarney 2 – 3 Kanwal
Kanwal maintained their unbeaten run, holding off a determined Killarney side who fought their way back from a 2-goal deficit only for Kanwal to find a winner late in the second half.
Both teams were waiting for the game to start, and it seemed like Kanwal didn’t switch on at kick-off, with Killarney almost making them pay immediately for the lack of concentration.
From the kickoff, Killarney stole the ball and luckily for Kanwal the Killarney shot was off target.
Kanwal would have the better share of field position and possession in the first half. Cal Dunkerley had Kanwal’s first chance after just 7 minutes, but this was well-defended.
It wasn’t long before Cal would get another opportunity and this time, he didn’t give the Killarney defence or goalkeeper any chance, calmly finishing into the bottom corner.
Next, it was Rory Rizzi, with a goal of the week contender, who doubled the lead after dribbling at the Killarney defenders and played the ball to Logan Moore who backheeled the ball back to Rizzi, whose shot was smashed into the top corner giving the Killarney keeper no chance to take the game to 2-0 after 17 minutes played.
It would be Killarney who came out the better team in the second half, dominating possession and field position.
It wasn’t long before they were rewarded with another contender for goal of the week. Kanwal cleared a ball from a corner, but it landed to Jayden Radford well outside the box, whose first-time volley into the top corner gave the Kanwal keeper no chance.
A minute later, the Kanwal defence failed to deal with a clearance and Brock McLean made no mistake to level the scores at 2-2 for the Terriers.
With Killarney on top in the second half, Kanwal did well to hold them out and eventually would get back into the game and it would be the ever-reliable Logan Moore who would get the winning goal.
A great through ball from Mason Lavery was pounced on by Logan who made no mistake from a tight angle to record his sixth goal for the year, gifting Kanwal three major points as Killarney remained winless after their opening four fixtures.
Ryan Walker was relieved after the game. “It was a game where we had too many moments where we weren’t switched on and that can be dangerous against Killarney, but to the boy’s credit their resilience showed through and they were rewarded with a gutsy win.”
“Good luck to Ackers and the Killarney boys, I’m sure a win is not far away.”
After the loss, Chris Ackerley spoke on what has let them down so far this season. “We need to tighten up defensively if we are going to push for a top-four spot.”
“That’s what we’ll be concentrating on at training in the next few weeks. Well done to Ryan and the Kanwal boys they’ve had a terrific start to the season and deserve to be where they’re sitting.”
Match Official – Jason Blackwood
Ourimbah 1 – 5 Budgewoi
Budgewoi’s new recruits help their side bounce back from last week’s Association Cup loss, as Ourimbah were unable to mount a comeback this week to secure back-to-back wins.
It was a disastrous opening goal to concede for Ourimbah as Ian McAndrew uncharacteristically made a crucial area when dealing with a through ball as he and the goalkeeper got mixed up which allowed Chris Lennon to intercept and open the scoring with a run-away goal in an empty net.
Budgewoi doubled their advantage midway through the first half with another player new to the club in 2025. Tahj Werner, scoring his first goal of the year.
Chris Lennon secured his brace just before half-time, using his pace to get on the end of a well-played through ball and calmly tucking the ball through the legs of keeper Drew Lawther for a 3-0 scoreline at the break.
Much like the first half, Lennon got off to a fantastic start, beating the high line of Ourimbah to find himself one-on-one with the goalie once again as he made no mistake finding the back of the net for his hat-trick.
Ourimbah were able to pull a goal back with ten minutes left on the clock. A well-worked move saw the ball played out wide to William Bowden who delivered a dangerous cross into the box.
Budgewoi defender Lachlan Kroemer was retreating, and his clearance saw him turn the cross into the back of the net for an own goal.
However, Budgewoi would have the final say. A reckless challenge from Drew Lawther in goals saw him take out the attacker who beat him to the ball as Budge was awarded a penalty.
Charlie Entwistle stepped up for his side, sending Lawther the wrong way as he placed the ball into the bottom left corner and their fifth and final goal.
Match Official – Dylan Watson
Avoca 0 – 4 Berkeley Vale
In a much tighter game than the scoreline suggests, Avoca leave Magic Round still winless in 2025 as the reigning Premiers Berkeley win three in a row to claim third place.
Both teams showed up on Sunday with a clear style of play that they were wanting to employ. The first half was fairly evenly contested with neither team able to capitalise on any chances.
While Berkeley Vale had the majority of possession in the opening period and creating a number of good opportunities, Avoca defended well in numbers and conceded to a well worked movement just before halftime courtesy of Kyle Harvey in the 41st minute.
The second half started similar to the first with both teams patiently waiting for their chances. Avoca came out in the second half and proceeded to attempt to take the game to Berkeley but with weight of possession against them it was always going to be a difficult task.
Berkeley Vale were able to double their lead around the 70th minute when Conor Fitzpatrick got a shot away, which rebounded off the post only to return straight back to him who didn’t miss a second time around.
Avoca changed their structure to try and salvage something from the contest, however two more goals in the final five minutes from Jakeb Brownlow and Joshua Cairelli saw Berkeley Vale run away with the game, securing a 4-0 win over the Sharks.
Mark Pratt had high praise for the opposition after picking up the win. “Avoca are a good young side with a game plan to suit and will surprise quite a few teams this year.”
“I don’t think the final scoreline reflected the majority of the game. Credit to Berkeley, they played to their system and were disciplined in doing so making it incredibly difficult to break them down,” commented Avoca’s Phil Anderson.
Match Official – Jasper White
Golden Boot Standings –
| 6 | Logan Moore (Kanwal) |
| 3 | Christopher Lennon (Budgewoi), Tood Balneaves (Southern), Joshua Cairelli (Berkeley Vale), Stuart Adams (Budgewoi), |
| 2 | Braith Hedley (Killarney), William Bowden (Ourimbah), Jack Jenkins (Southern), Jacob Brownlow (Berkeley Vale), Rory Rizzi-Lutgerink (Kanwal), Conor Fitzpatrick (Berkeley Vale), Jacob Lepre (Southern), Jayke Browne (Southern) |
Points Table –
Division 1
Magic Round Results –
Points Table –
