MATCH OF THE ROUND
Killarney 0 – 4 Terrigal
Saturday night’s match of the round and the first leg of the 2025 Ash Grant Cup saw Terrigal against a Killarney side who looked to edge themselves into the top four and a Terrigal team looking to bounce back.
From the outset, it was a high pace encounter and Killarney had an early chance to open the scoring off a free kick that was dinked in behind and crossed across the box but headed just wide.
It was a real battle in the midfield as both sides looked to hold possession but couldn’t quite find the opener at either end.
A sharp play down Terrigal’s right side put Aidan Bastick beyond the Killarney left back, he delivered an early cross that just missed Levi Kondrajian.
30 minutes into the encounter, a long-range strike from Cooper Briggs looked destined for the top corner and it drew a fine save from Declan Drake and the sides went into the break at 0-0.
The second half started with more of the same, an unfortunate head cut to Will Hamilton re-opened, and he had to be substituted and almost immediately after Terrigal struck for the opener.
Levi Kondrajian found himself through on goal, his effort was saved but only into the path of a looming Aidan Bastick who smashed it into the net giving the O’lads a 1-0 lead.
As the half wore on and the game got tense, a moment of class from Tion Gerasimou extended Terrigal’s lead to two. Winning the ball with space in front of him, Tion curled an effort from 30 yards into the top corner.
Killarney had a great chance to draw one back, but a misdirected header went wide as it wasn’t to be the Terriers night.
With 10 minutes to go and Terrigal sniffing a much-needed win, a corner came in from the right, which caused a goal-mouth scramble, but Kai Forshaw was there to slam the ball home to a huge roar from the away fans.
With time almost up, Aidan Bastick burned his man and drove into the box where he was brought down, Terrigal skipper Max Vegter stepped up and made no mistake to wrap the game up 4-0 after a quite brilliant second half from the men in Orange.
“It began as quite a tight affair, Killarney were sharp early and gave us a few headaches,” admitted Ryan Pearce. “I’m certain they will be up for the return fixture.”
“In regards to my boys, I’m really proud of our efforts. We needed to perform on Saturday night and we did. It was a big occasion being the ‘Ash Grant Cup’ so I was sure to let our new faces know just how much this game means to us. We bleed some young boys, and they certainly stepped up to the occasion”
A discouraged Chris Ackerley commented on the loss, “A disappointing display from the boys after being 0-0 at halftime. A game where the Terrigal boys were up for it a lot more than us.”
Match Official – Preston Lorusso
Southern & Ettalong 2 – 1 Ourimbah
Southern faced one of their toughest challenges yet, however, Matt Page’s side were able to keep their distance at the top to four points, securing a critical win over a stern Ourimbah side.
From kickoff, both team’s plans were evident. SEU looking to control the possession and prise apart a resolute block of Ourimbah. The Falcons were happy to concede territory and a bit of possession, looking to break fast and hit the Lions on the counter.
The first 15 minutes saw Ourimbah settle into their gameplan the quicker, having a slight edge at the start of the game.
They created the first good chance of the game came when Lachlan Kroemer was slipped in behind the Southern defence, to be one on one with SEU GK Dane Johnson, though Kroemer was unable to convert past the custodian, who saved well down low.
Southern didn’t have their first meaningful strike on goal until the 17th minute when a 25-yard volley from Matt Jacobsen was easily gathered by Ourimbah keeper Lawther.
Further chances from Jack Ellwood and Jacob Lepre in the next 5 minutes drawing good saves from Lawther, Southern started to build pressure on the young Falcons outfit.
That pressure finally told in the 31st minute. Fast counterattack play involving Lepre, Jacobsen and Noah Ajala saw the ball make its way to Ellwood on the corner of the 18-yard box.
Ellwood steadied and found strike partner Alfie Martin on the far side of the box, who jinked his way past three defenders and fired low into the corner to give the Lions the lead.
It would only take 3 minutes for SEU to double their lead, after a bit of brilliance from talisman Lepre. Receiving the ball in midfield, Lepre turned his marker and drove towards the opposition defence.
Holding off some very heavy attention from another defender, Lepre unleashed a strike with his non-preferred right foot into the top left-hand corner of the net, giving Lawther no chance in goals.
The second period saw Southern bounce back into their attacking ways. Only minutes after the resumption, Lepre was again driving from midfield towards the Ourimbah goal, only to be brought down on the edge of the area.
The resulting free-kick narrowly missed the far post, with Lawther rooted to the spot.
Ourimbah had chances of their own and eventually found their breakthrough with roughly five minutes left to play. A header upfield was nodded on by Will Bowden to the feet of Noah Wharton.
Wharton drove to the edge of the box, cutting inside to lose his defender and calmly placing a shot into the bottom corner to set the scene for a tense finish but it was too little too late for McAndrew’s men.
Matt Page commended Ourimbah for an intense contest. “We were expecting a tough battle on Saturday night and that’s exactly what we got from a determined and well-organised Ourimbah, who came into the match with confidence after a win last up.”
“As always Macca came armed with a plan and his boys were well drilled in their jobs, But my guys kept their heads and shut the game out for a well-earned three points. The challenge of a fired-up Killarney now awaits us next up.”
Page also added, “All the best to Macca and his guys before we see them again. They are going to be in the contest each and every match and will continue to pick up points.”
“To come up against the best team and the competition and not only hold our own but went at them and pushed them all the way, shows we are heading in the right direction,” spoke a proud Ian McAndrew.
“Hearing a few of their players say it’s the toughest game they have played this year is a massive confidence booster for our boys. Pagey has some side out there and the way they play, they deserved to be unbeaten! Good luck to them for the rest of the season.”
Match Official – Jason Blackwood
Wyoming 3 – 2 Woongarrah
Two teams desperate for points stepped on to Alan Davidson Oval this past Sunday and five goals in the second half saw Scott Snodgrass and his Wyoming side clinch their second victory of the season in a MPL thriller.
Woongarrah dominated the field position from the start of the game, enjoying some early missed chances on goal. Wyoming would constantly threaten on the counterattack and their long throw-ins by Henry Walker would constantly be a threat.
Woongarrah would score a goal after a cutback from their captain. However, the attacker was deemed offside.
Again, Woongarrah would be denied a goal when a shot from almost 30 yards out would be fumbled by the Wyoming keeper.
The goal was again disallowed as their offside forward was deemed to have blocked the view of the goalkeeper.
Some more chances at either end of the pitch would look promising but neither team was able to break the deadlock as both teams went into the sheds locked at 0-0.
The second half started the same as the first with Woongarrah almost scoring and hitting the crossbar from close range.
The Wildcats would finally get their breakthrough when a Jack Gallagher cross would be met by the head of Jayden Rogers from close range.
At 1-0, Woongarrah had a couple of misses from close range that would come back to hurt them.
Wyoming would get back on level terms with their first goal of the match after a dangerous corner fell to Henry Walker who smashed home from close range.
Despite offside claims from the opposition, the goal would stand.
At 1-1, the game then became end to end with both sides playing attacking football and trying to win. A Jacob Melling free kick from distance would be misjudged by the Wyoming number 1, giving Woongarrah the lead once again.
Woongarrah would break the line and go 3-1 up but another tight offside call would go against Woongarrah keeping the margin still at 2-1.
Wyoming would find another equaliser as a Woongarrah defender would look to clear the ball only for it to rebound off a Wyoming attacker, catching the keeper out and levelling the scores.
At 2 -2, Wyoming would receive a penalty, and Pat Mills would step up for his side, putting Wyoming ahead for the first time during the game.
Woongarrah would push for an equaliser in the dying moments of the game, but it would be the Tigers who would clinch all three points against last year’s League Champions.
A proud Snodgrass voiced, “It was a competitive match that was back and forth. We had the plan to press and attack them and also break and hit on the counter to try and expose and turn them around. That worked for some parts but also opened us up.”
“Overall, I’m really happy with the fight the lads showed to get the win. Lady luck was on our side for once and this result does a lot for us coming into Derby week against Ourimbah this weekend.”
Snodgrass added, “Notably Captain Jarrod McNee comes back in from suspension which is a huge plus for us, and we will be at full strength. To Luke and his squad, best wishes and good luck for the remainder of the season.”
“Congrats to Snork and his boys on the win. Hopefully, they can produce the same next week,” spoke Luke Rogers.
“Can’t really say my boys didn’t play well enough to win the game with the decisions that went against us. Clear to see there is certain people that don’t want to see us win.”
“Have only played one game at home this season and that was in round 2, so looking forward to being back home and hopefully getting our season heading in the right direction.”
Match Official – Trent Dickeson
Avoca 2 – 3 Kanwal
Kanwal recorded a good win on a bumpy pitch as Avoca still search for a second victory in 2025 while the Bulls assert themselves as a top three MPL side at this stage of the season
Kanwal would dominate possession for most of the first half but didn’t create too many clear-cut chances with a number of wasteful crosses being comfortably dealt with by the Avoca defence.
It was Kanwal’s leading goal scorer Logan Moore who turned provider, picking out Cal Dunkerley who made no mistake with his header to give Kanwal a 1-0 lead on the half-hour mark.
Although there were a few half chances neither team really threatened the opposition keeper for the remainder of the half, with Kanwal taking the 1-0 lead into half-time.
Kanwal started the second half the better with a number of early half chances, but it would be Avoca who scored next as Cooper Ebrington capped off a lovely team move after nodding home a great Harry Newman cross to level the scores at 1-1.
Avoca mounted pressure but were punished by two quick goals. Kanwal’s claimed their lead back when Cameron McPhan received the ball in his own half.
Running down the line, McPhan played a beautiful cross into the path of Logan Moore who made no mistake with a composed finish past the Avoca keeper to make it 2-1.
Within two minutes, Kanwal got their third when Logan was brought down in the box. Moore stepped up and made no mistake with the penalty to extend Kanwal’s lead to 3-1.
Avoca pulled one back with a stunning Noah Nicholls volley. It would be a nervy final 15 minutes for Kanwal as Avoca finished the stronger of the two sides with the keeper making some key saves.
Kanwal held their nerve and were able to hold Avoca at bay to walk away with a crucial 3-2 win.
Ryan Walker was relieved but happy after the game. “We always have tough games against Avoca and today was no different.”
“They are a better team than their position on the ladder shows. I’m sure there are more wins for them this season. My boys dug deep today in difficult conditions and I’m happy with the result. The goal was to win and consolidate our place in the top four and we did that today.”
Despite not getting the result we were after, I’m really proud of how the boys competed all the way to the final whistle,” spoke Mitch Harrison.
“It felt like a big step in the right direction and I’m sure a key win is around the corner. Credit to Kanwal who were organised and defended extremely well.”
Harrison also commended Kanwal’s stand-out on the day, “Rory Rizzi, in particular, had a great game and ran the show in the middle at times, he should be commended on a great performance and probably proved the difference between the two sides.”
Match Official – Jasper White
Budgewoi 3 – 2 Berkeley Vale
This highly anticipated top-four fixture saw a game of two halves, plenty of action, and a late comeback attempt from the Wombats, but Haydn Appo’s side held strong to continue their winning streak.
It was the home side Budgewoi who dominated the opening 45 minutes as Berkeley Vale failed to get into the game and deservedly found themselves 2-0 down at the break.
Budgewoi opened the scoring after 12 minutes when they were awarded a corner after a long-range attempt from Jamison Costa was headed behind the goal by Berkeley’s Nick Trengrove.
From the resulting corner, a beautifully whipped ball by Stuart Adams found Ben Clachan who was unmarked inside the six-yard box and guided the ball home first time with his head.
On the half-hour mark, Budgewoi doubled their advantage through Chris Lennon. A turnover in the middle of the park, intercepted by Budgewoi’s Bayley Appo saw Appo play a ball in behind the Wombat’s defence.
Speedster Lennon was able to outpace with marker, getting inside the box with only the goal and the keeper in his way as he was able to slot home from the corner of the six-yard box.
Down but not out, Berkeley Vale made some adjustments during the break and started on top in the second period.
Despite having control of the game, a Budgewoi counterattack against the run of play saw Lennon get taken down in the box and the home side was awarded a penalty.
Charlie Entwistle stepped up for his side, placing the bull underneath Jack Arigho who dove the right way but was unable to stop the effort from the spot.
Berkeley Vale were able to respond less than 10 minutes after conceding their third. A beautiful switch of play from the right to the left found Conor Fitzpatrick in space out wide.
Fitzpatrick took it upon himself, driving into the box and firing a shot down low that was parried by the Budgewoi keeper into the back of the net.
With roughly ten minutes remaining, Berkeley cut the deficit down to one after a free kick on top of the 18-yard box.
Matthias Palmqvist took the set piece, aiming into low underneath the wall who jumped. Despite the effort going straight to Nathan Denton in goal, Denton again was unable to deal with the power, getting his feet mixed up as the ball went through his legs.
Determined to salvage a point from the fixture, Berkeley Vale created enough chances to grab an equaliser, but it wasn’t meant to be for the Wombats as Budgewoi held on to secure all three points.
“We knew that it was going to be a real battle today, as Berkeley are a well-coached squad, that are structurally very hard to stop. We hold them highly and are very happy to get the win,” declared Haydn Appo.
Mark Pratt congratulated the opposition, voicing Budgewoi are a top two side in 2025. “Congratulations to Budgewoi, I think that they have shown enough that they will be one of the two favourite teams this year along with Southern.”
Match Official – Luke Dunkerley
Golden Boot Standings –
| 11 | Jacob Lepre (Southern) |
| 10 | Logan Moore (Kanwal) |
| 9 | Christopher Lennon (Budgewoi) |
| 6 | Stuart Adams (Budgewoi), Tahj Werner (Budgewoi), Charlie Entwistle (Budgewoi) |
| 5 | Todd Balneaves (Southern) |
Points Table –
Division 1
Round 11 Results –
Points Table –
