MATCH OF THE ROUND
Avoca 1 -3 Terrigal
Terrigal get back-to-back wins for the first time this year as they snagged a huge win against Avoca in the round 14 Match of the Round.
The game began tense, with both teams looking to play attacking football in the opposition’s half. While Terrigal started brightly, Avoca had the ball in the back of the net with Liam O’Connor scoring, only to be disallowed by a handball.
10 minutes in, Terrigal had a half chance when Ryan Pearce had a run down the left wing and swung one across the 6-yard box to Harry Stone, who almost had the opener.
10 minutes later, Harry Stone made a great run in behind the Avoca defence, drawing Avoca’s keeper and showed composure to play the square ball to Ryan Pearce, who finished outstandingly first time.
After the opener, Terrigal looked to press for more. A long ball from Terrigal keeper Jackson Odell put Pearce through again, taking a great first touch, but Phil Anderson was up to the challenge, racing off his line and making the save.
Shortly later, Terrigal’s Aidan Bastick was able to double the lead after a smart finish, giving the O’lads some breathing space after the opening 45 minutes.
After halftime, Avoca came out fast and won a corner almost immediately. Jackson Odell was able to rise above and make a strong claim, but couldn’t steer the ball into the back of the net.
Avoca began creating some chances, counterattacking in wide areas, but skying chance after chance.
With Avoca pressing for their opener, Terrigal was finding some space going forward as Pearce was able to bring down another ball on the turn, half-volleying it just over the crossbar.
Terrigal found their third goal with 20 minutes to go. A Pearce long throw caused some chaos with Tion Gerasimou getting a head to a rebounding ball, it was blocked but Aidan Bastick was there to fire home for his brace and put the O’lads up 3-0.
An incredible save from Avoca keeper Phill Anderson denied Josh Bush another goal after 80 minutes.
Deep into injury time, Avoca managed to get onto the score sheet. Some fast play down their left side saw a shot on target from the edge of Terrigal’s box.
A good reaction save from Jackson Odell fell into the path of Mitch Moody, who buried it first time after a determined, bustling run from the Sharks.
But the goal would be no more than consolation for Avoca, in the end, it was all honours to Terrigal in the Derby, securing a crucial 3-1 win.
“Today, our boys battled all over the park. On a small, dodgy field, we knew we needed to dig in with the same mentality as last week. Contest every possession. I’m proud of our boys and the character we are showing at the moment,” voiced Ryan Pearce.
“Credit to Mitchy and his side for their resilience, especially in the second half. They didn’t take a backward step, they are all working their socks off for him.”
“We spoke pre-game about how decimated our side have been lately with injuries and unavailability, it’s tough to gain momentum when half your squad is unavailable.”
Pearce also added, “I wish him all the best for the rest of the season.”
Mitch Harrison also commented, “Very disappointing performance from us today, Terrigal were better from kickoff and earned their win today. Credit to them, they deserved the three points”
Match Official – Preston Lorusso
Southern & Ettalong 3 – 2 Wyoming
Southern kept their title hopes alive with a gusty comeback win from two goals down, with the almighty Keith Gumbs coming up big with his first goal of the year, scoring the winner for Southern, who remain four points behind the league leaders.
Wyoming’s Englishman rose highest to give the Tigers an unlikely lead after 17 minutes. A free-kick out wide was played into the box, and Henry Walker was able to head home past the oncoming Southern keeper for the game’s first goal.
Wyoming had a tremendous chance to extend their lead after Alex Wardle laid the ball off to his defender without him realising, Patrick Mills intercepted the ball but was unable to steer the ball home as Wardle made the save.
After some loose play from the Lions on the edge of their box, Wyoming picked up the ball and played in Panashe Mudavose, who rifled home into the bottom corner to send Wyoming 2-0 up.
Southern looked for a reply, and it took the home side until the 43rd minute to get their goal. A Southern corner was heading to Jayke Browne alone in the box, who half-volleyed an effort past a crowded area into the back of the net.
Looking to see out their victory in the second period, Wyoming task got even more challenging as they were reduced to 10 men after 67 minutes as Tait Johnson was shown a straight red card after fouling a Southern attacker who was goal-bound on the edge of the box.
Southern found their equaliser not long after when a cross in open play found Todd Balneaves, who was unmarked at the back post. Balneaves finished into the roof of the net to take the game to 2-2.
A long goal kick after 78 minutes played was nodded on by Theo Forsberg as Gumbs chased down the back-tracking Wyoming defender.
Gumbs was able to get a toe to the ball first, outmuscling the defender before dribbling past the opposition goalkeeper and firing the winning goal into the back of the net.
“I’m happy with the way we started and deserved the 2-1 lead at halftime. The red card changed the game and opened us up. We didn’t game manage from that point as I would have liked, even though we did create another chance or two,” reflected Scott Snodgrass.
“We need to continue to work on our defensive discipline and to see games out if we get into these situations again. I can’t not be pleased with the effort and pushing one of the best sides in the comp but am disappointed we didn’t come away with anything from the match. That’s football…”
Match Official – Dylan Watson
Ourimbah 1 – 0 Berkeley Vale
A second-half goal from Ourimbah skipper Phillip Holmes sees Ourimbah upset last year’s Grand Final winners, Berkeley Vale, to take home their fourth victory of the year.
For Berkeley Vale, this was a similar story to previous weeks, except this one they didn’t recover from. Berkeley Vale had the majority of the possession in the opening period as their opposition was content with allowing the visitors to dictate the play.
Opportunities presented themselves, except the Wombats couldn’t find the back of the net, with Ourimbah’s keeper Kyle Lawther coming up big more than once in the first 45 minutes to keep the scores level at the break.
The second half saw Berkeley forget to return to the field and play the final period with any conviction and energy.
Ian McAndrew pinched the ball from a poor free kick and played a well-timed through ball to captain Phil Holmes. Holmes did the rest and got Ourimbah in front on the scoreboard after 54 minutes played.
Berkeley dominated the ball for the remainder of the match but were unable to penetrate Ourimbah’s defence as their shape held strong despite having six first graders out of action.
To the delight of the home crowd, the Falcons saw out a victory to record a win over last year’s MPL Premiers.
“I am so proud of the lads, and I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” stated Ian McAndrew.
“Berka will be really tough to beat on a flat Pluim Park in the Semis. Good luck to Gumps and Pratty for finals, the way they play football, on a flat service, they will be tough to run down.”
Despite coming up short, Mark Pratt commented, “Congratulations to Ian and his team for their performance. We wish them well for the rest of the season.”
Match Official – Trent Dickeson
Budgewoi 3 – 0 Kanwal
For the second time this season, Budgewoi prevails over Kanwal three goals to nil as Haydn Appo’s men look unbeatable at the top of the MPL ladder.
It was a cautious start to the game by both teams, but it would be Budgewoi who would gain an advantage through Kanwal being its own worst enemy.
A goalmouth scramble from a Tahj Werner corner wasn’t dealt with by Kanwal to gift Budgewoi the opening goal as Stuart Adams was able to head the ball home on the Bulls’ goal line.
12 minutes later, some extremely poor passing on the halfway line by Kanwal’s midfield gifted Budgewoi a second goal.
Charlie Entwistle was able to pick up the loose pass and pick out the advancing run of Bayley Appo, who broke past the Kanwal backline, dribbling past the Kanwal keeper and tucking the ball into an empty net to double his team’s advantage.
It would be long before Budgewoi made it three, as they were rewarded for showing more energy and determination.
Another soft turnover in their own half saw Budgewoi’s Adam Bolter lob a ball over the Kanwal defence for Tahj Werner, who placed his effort into the bottom corner for the game’s third and final goal.
Kanwal came out for the 2nd half with more determination, but were unable to create too many clear goal-scoring opportunities. Budgewoi doing enough in the first half to walk away with a comfortable 3-0 win.
Ryan Walker was extremely disappointed after the game. “Not enough desire shown by my players. It’s difficult to admit, but well done to Budgewoi, they wanted it more than us today.”
“Thank you to Hayden and his team for putting on food and beers after the game for both teams.”
Match Official – Miles Allen-Scott
Woongarrah 1 – 1 Killarney
Ninety minutes couldn’t separate these two sides desperate for points as Woongarrah continue their season-best unbeaten run while Killarney look for a big bounce back after falling into ninth place with five games to go.
It took the visitors only eight minutes to find the opening goal. A free kick from just outside the box would see veteran Tim Knight step up and bend it around the wall into the bottom corner for his second goal this season.
From the kickoff, Woongarrah would head towards Killarney’s goal, and a through ball would hit their defender’s hand while attempting to head it. Jacob Melling would step up and score from the spot, making it 1-1 after 10 minutes.
Tim Knight would shoot from distance, but the keeper would tip it onto the crossbar to deny him his brace.
Five minutes before the break, Jayden Rogers would get in behind his defender, but his shot would be parried away by the Killarney keeper.
In injury time, another free kick from Killarney would again beat the wall, but this time hit the post as the score remained locked at 1-1
The second half saw plenty of half chances as the game opened up and became end-to-end, with the best chance of the half falling to Wildcats captain Alex Govorcin as his header would only miss by millimetres.
Woongarrah thought they found a winner in the 86th minute, a ball across the box beating 4 defenders in the process would see Jayden Rogers get on the end of it and score from six yards out, only for it to be called back for offside.
Again, Jayden would find himself with a good chance to win the game, but unfortunately, he would hit his volley wide, and the teams would have to settle for a 1-1 draw in a fair result.
“I wish Ackers and his boys all the best for the rest of the season,” voiced Luke Rogers. “It was a very open game with both sides trying to play attacking football.”
“Another tight call went against us, and unfortunately, that’s been our Achilles heel this season. However, we did have other chances to score, and we need to do better. Pleasing thing is we have our never-say-die attitude back that we had last season, and it’s been telling from our recent results.”
Chris Ackerley is adamant his side is up for the task as they fall into the relegation play-off zone, “It’s totally in our own hands with five games to go and the boys are up for the fight.”
Match Official – Anthony Kabbout
Golden Boot Standings –
| 12 | Jacob Lepre (Southern), Christopher Lennon (Budgewoi), Tahj Werner (Budgewoi), |
| 11 | Logan Moore (Kanwal), |
| 9 | Charlie Entwistle (Budgewoi), Conor Fitzpatrick (Berkeley Vale) |
| 8 | Stuart Adams (Budgewoi) |
| 7 | Jayke Browne (Southern) |
Points Table –
Division 1
Round 17 Results –
Points Table –
