MATCH OF THE ROUND
Avoca 1 – 0 Ourimbah
A gusty effort from Avoca saw Mitch Harrison’s side claim an important three points in their first clean sheet victory of 2025, defeating Ourimbah with only the one-goal separating the two sides as Avoca climb out of the guaranteed relegation spot on the MPL ladder.
The game started fairly even with the ball moving quickly end to end with both teams looking dangerous and playing direct football, with Avoca winning a lot of the contests in the middle of the pitch.
Ian MacAndrew showed his class with some lovely through-balls that almost had Ourimbah taking the lead on enemy territory.
The breakthrough came after Oliver Chippendale scored with a well-struck free kick into the bottom corner.
Ourimbah swiftly looked to get back into the game and hit the post through a shot from their left winger Lachlan Kroemer.
The visitors continued to pressure Avoca in the hopes of tying the game. Still, Reece Gerungan made a crucial block to keep the score at 1-0 at halftime.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, except the Avoca defence scrambled extremely well to keep Ourimbah at bay.
Looking to see out the victory, Avoca was reserved, determined to hang on to the lead, and would look to threaten only on the break when a counterattacking opportunity arrived.
Despite creating good chances, Avoca couldn’t put any away to ice the game, but time was on the side of the Sharks as the full-time whistle was sounded, and an enormous three points went in favour of Avoca.
“It was a really hard-fought win by all three teams today,” said Mitch Harrison.
“Despite the players missing, everyone stepped up and ran themselves into the ground for the team and club. I’ve never been prouder of the squad.”
“Full credit to the Falcons and Ian, they made things tough for us. As a player and coach, he certainly has improved that side since their promotion. All the best to them for the rest of the year,” added Mitch.
“It was a game that got away from us, with the chances we created,” reflected Ian McAndrew.
“They scored the goal and hung on credit to them. Good luck to them for the rest of the season. As a whole, we need to be better, but we will go again next week against Budgewoi.”
Match Official – Dylan Watson
Budgewoi 2 – 0 Killarney
Another flawless defensive display from Budgewoi sees Hadyn Appo’s men claim their tenth win of the season after 11 games played, finishing the week on top of the MPL ladder for the first time this season.
The opening period was a scrappy affair as both sides struggled to maintain possession, constantly turning the ball over with cheap turnovers.
Budgewoi thought they had opened the scoring after 8 minutes when Tahj Werner was played into the box by Charlie Entwistle and finished well. However, a foul in the lead-up by Budgewoi’s Josh Swadling saw the goal disallowed.
Budegwoi’s next best chance saw a ball played out wide to Entwistle on top of the box, Entwistle fired a shot low and Killarney’s Declan Drake was able to get a hand to it, knocking it onto the post where he reclaimed the loose ball.
Budewoi however would get their go-ahead goal just moments before the halftime whistle.
A brilliant through ball from Bayley Appo saw Chris Lennon jump and head the ball beyond the oncoming keeper, quickly finding his feet to deliver a powerful strike that the Killarney defender was unable to keep out.
The start of the second half of the contest was evenly matched. Killarney set up high looking to press the Budgewoi backline, forcing them to play long which resulted in turnovers.
In attack, Killarney looked to catch the Budgewoi backline out with over-the-top balls which made for a very back-and-forth start.
The first real chance of the half came when Chris Lennon was played in by Josh Swadling, Lennon’s first-time strike saw Declan Drake produce a great save low to his left as he was unable to double Budgewoi’s advantage.
Tim Knight had a great chance to equalise 70 minutes in the game when he found himself alone on the edge of the six-yard box. However, his wayward shot didn’t trouble the Budgewoi keeper who stood his ground.
Budgewoi were reduced to 10 men with 10 minutes left to play after Josh Swadling received a straight red card for a late challenge.
With an extra man advantage, Killarney pushed more players forward in search of an equaliser.
Nonetheless, an interception by central defender Liam Sterrett and a bounding run up the field saw Sterrett set up Entwistle on goal who chipped home to secure the victory for Budgewoi.
Match Official – Brayden McDonald
Woongarrah 3 – 0 Terrigal
Back-to-back victories over Terrigal in consecutive weeks has Woongarrah in their season best form as the defending League Champions still have plenty to play for in 2025 while their opponents now fall to the bottom of the ladder.
The game was very even early on with both teams having chances to take the lead, with the best chance falling to the Terrigal striker would be one-on-one but the rushing keeper would make him hit the post with his effort on goal.
Minutes later a James Stiffle through ball would find Adam Hall with only the opposition goalkeeper in his way, he would make no mistake and find the back of the net giving Woongarrah a 1-0 lead.
In the celebration of the goal, Matt Johnson would receive a yellow card. 10 minutes later and Matt would receive his second yellow and be sent from the field, leaving his side to play a man down for the remaining 70 minutes.
Looking to make the most of the extra man advantage, the remainder of the first half saw Terrigal dominate possession and have half chances, but a determined Woongarrah would hold onto their slender 1-0 lead at the break.
Second 45 Terrigal would have the fair share of possession, but the home side would look the most likely to score.
Adam Hall was denied his brace a couple of times in the early stages and then a Jacob Melling free kick hit the post as the Wildcats looked for a buffer.
Woongarrah would finally go 2-0 up when Sean Jackson would come on like he did last week and score a goal in the 80th minute, making it two goals in two first-grade games for the youngster.
Seven minutes later and the game was put to bed when Jayden Rogers assisted Adam Hall to get his brace from close range.
Woongarrah would have a couple more chances before the final whistle but 3-0 would remain the final score.
“I wish Ryan and his boys all the best for the rest of the season,” voiced Luke Rogers.
“It was a very tough match with 10 men for over 75 minutes of the game. The part I was pleased with was that even though we had a man down, after the break we were the team that looked the most likely to score. We eventually did get a couple and also kept a clean sheet in the process.”
Match Official – Miles Allen-Scott
Golden Boot Standings –
| 12 | Jacob Lepre (Southern) |
| 11 | Logan Moore (Kanwal) |
| 10 | Christopher Lennon (Budgewoi) |
| 9 | Charlie Entwistle (Budgewoi), Tahj Werner (Budgewoi) |
| 8 | Conor Fitzpatrick (Berkeley Vale) |
| 7 | Stuart Adams (Budgewoi) |
Points Table –
Division 1
Round 15 Results –
Points Table –
