MATCH OF THE ROUND
Berkeley Vale 1 – 3 Southern & Ettalong
In a battle of second versus third, Matt Page’s Southern & Ettalong rose to the occasion with a complete performance against last year’s Premiers, keeping the pressure on first place with four games to play.
A match originally scheduled to be played at the Wombats’ home ground, Mingara Athletics Oval, was relocated to Pluim Park, a fitting venue for a match of this quality.
Berkeley Vale opened the contest in a different formation to what their opponents were anticipating, allowing them some early freedom in attack.
Berkeley Vale had their first chance after five minutes played when a corner was cleared to the edge of the box where Conor Fitzpatrick’s effort on goal went just wide of the post thanks to a quick save from Alex Wardle.
Southern’s opening chance came from a similar position to Berkeley’s. A dangerous corner was cleared only as far as Jacob Lepre who struck the ball first time with his trusty left foot but failed to make the most of his opportunity which sliced over the bar.
After making a formation change to deal with the opposition’s set-up, Southern started to work themselves into the contest and were rewarded with a goal after 25 minutes.
A long ball from Todd Balneaves was played over the Berkeley defence. Wombats’ goalie Jack Arigho came to clear the ball but was too slow for Jacop Lepre who got to the ball first and finished with his second touch into an open net to give Southern a 1-0 lead.
With five minutes left to play in the opening half, a dangerous free kick whipped in by Lepre was met by the head of Jack Jenkins who guided the ball into the bottom corner to extend Southern’s lead to two.
The Wombats almost found an equaliser from Kyle Harvey whose volley saw Alex Wardle make a tremendous save to keep his side two goals to the good after the opening 45 minutes.
The second half was another 45 minutes of intense back-and-forth football as both teams found it hard to break the other down and create any clear-cut chances.
As they did throughout the whole contest, Southern were able to make the most of their opportunities when presented to them, allowing them to further extend the lead after 70 minutes played.
A long goal kick found Lepre in the midfield who evaded his defender before playing Matt Jacobsen in on goal. Jacobsen found his teammate Jayke Browne alone in the box, finishing into the back of the net for his fifth goal in four games.
Showing their strong mentality, Berkeley hit back just four minutes later when Ashton Hurley beat his marker out wide to deliver a pinpoint cross into the box where Scott McGinley headed home.
Continuing to pressure the Southern goal, Berkeley were unable to find the back of the net once more as time ran out for the Wombats and Southern walked away 3-1 victors.
““A pretty high quality game considering the conditions, and it was a tough battle, as always against Berkeley. Some good bits of footy played, with some decent saves thrown in by both GK’s,” mentioned Matt Page
“I thought both teams have as good as they got and we probably just edged it in chances taken. Berkeley Vale always keep you on your toes defensively and we kept our concentration pretty well.”
“All the best to Gumps, Pratty and their guys over the next few weeks and we look forward to locking horns again in the last round.”
“Congratulations to Pagey and the boys at Southern, they were too good for us on the night and good luck trying to chase down Budgewoi in the weeks ahead,” said Mark Pratt.
Match Official – Anthony Kabbout
Kanwal 1 – 1 Woongarrah
A late transfer to Pluim Park didn’t halt the emotions and significance of the local derby between Kanwal and Woongarrah as these fierce rivals were forced to split the points in their first competitive meeting of 2025.
The intensity was high from the outset, with neither side wanting to give an inch. Woongarrah started on the front foot, playing the opening five minutes in Kanwal’s half and creating some half-chances.
Both teams’ defences held strong during the first half with most chances being shots from distance. Kanwal’s best chance fell to Evan DeSilva, whose shot from distance was well saved as both keepers produced moments of brilliance as the scores remained even at the break.
The second half started like the first, with both teams defensively strong and playing box-to-box.
Evan DeSilva had a chance early to take the lead, but his shot was again saved. Kanwal were starting to get a greater share of possession but neither team were able to create any clear-cut chances.
It would be Woongarrah’s Jacob Melling who would break the deadlock, when his free kick from distance wasn’t dealt with by the Kanwal keeper to give Woongarrah a 1-0 lead after 81 minutes played.
Kanwal would keep bodies forward in the final stages and would be rewarded when a Callum Dunkerley cross to the near post was met by Joey Liddle whose header beat the keeper to tie the game.
Both sides would have one last chance to win the game but neither side was able to convert, and it would remain 1-1.
Ryan Walker was pleased with his side’s effort for the whole game. “We looked comfortable in defence, and I thought he had the better chances during the game.”
“Congrats to Luke and the Woongarrah boys, the game lived up to what was expected of this local derby. If both teams show the same effort and desire for the final few games of the season, both can finish strong.”
Luke Rogers also commented after the game. “Great to see the boys have learned from last season what’s required in these derbies and are bringing that mentality to the pitch.”
“On another positive note, the team is showing real consistency in our performance week in, week out, which is a credit to the players’ focus and hard work. Congratulations to Ryan and his boys on salvaging a draw at the end.”
Match Official – Miles Allen-Scott
Budgewoi 4 – 0 Wyoming
The only ground to survive the wet weather on Sunday saw Budgewoi host Wyoming for their Old Boys Day as the league leaders produced another dominant clean sheet performance to remain four points ahead on the ladder.
The two teams settled into their game plans early in the contest with Wyoming setting up defensively to try and nullify the best attacking team in the competition.
It was Wyoming who had the opening chance of the game. A long throw down the left-hand flank allowed Panashe Mudavose to get the better of his defender and drive to goal.
Mudavose found an open teammate in the box whose shot beat the Budgewoi keeper only to be cleared off the line by a defender, saving a certain goal.
Budgewoi’s opening chance saw Josh Swadling evade the Wyoming offside trap as he found himself one-on-one with the Wyoming keeper, but his first-time strike was placed wide of the post.
Swadling would get his goal and open the scoring 25 minutes in after a long ball from Todd Buxton was poorly dealt with, allowing Olly Appo to attack down the right before crossing the ball to an unmarked Swadling back stick who fired home first time.
Budgewoi took their 1-0 lead into the break, and as the two teams switched sides for the second period, Wyoming looked to build on their positive first half.
Once again Wyoming had the first sniff on goal in the half, a Jared Mcnee header looked to find the run of Mudavose, but he was unable to get to the ball before the keeper.
After a few early chances themselves, Budgewoi doubled their advantage 8 minutes into the second half when Olly Appo was able to outpace his defender after a brilliant Charlie Entwistle through ball.
With only the keeper in his way of the goal, Appo placed a low shot that slipped through the keeper’s hand and trickled into the goal, making it 2-0.
Ten minutes later it was three goals to the good for the home side as they were awarded a penalty after a handball. Swadling stepped up for his side, placing the ball into his favoured right side for his brace.
Bayley Appo was the last one on the scoresheet to wrap up Budgewoi’s 4-0 victory. A loose ball in the box found Appo unmarked on the corner of the six-yard box as he expertly took his chance for his fourth goal of the season.
“Wyoming came at us with some early unanswered questions. Although we were one up at the break, we weren’t happy with our options when in possession. The second half was much better,” reflected Haydn Appo.
“We were glad that our field held up in what has been an average couple of weeks with rain. It was our last game of the year at home, so getting this game in today, on our club’s Old Boys Day, was pretty special.”
“A very disruptive few weeks with on and off again training and games which has made things challenging,” voiced Scott Snodgrass.
“We set up defensively as we had some key personnel out, and I was happy with the application until we made an error and then some non-existent marking allowed them to score.”
“I think it is fair to say, we have copped some stiff decisions this season. Still, it wouldn’t have mattered, we were second best on the day, especially in the second half.”
“I thought their keeper and scrambling defence produced some outstanding saves from multiple attempts. It was not to be for us. Budgie are a very good, well-drilled outfit and can hurt you very quickly. I think they are the best side we have played this season and it will be hard to beat moving forward. Good luck to them,” Added Snodgrass.
Match Official – Jason Blackwood
Golden Boot Standings –
| 13 | Jacob Lepre (Southern) |
| 12 | Christopher Lennon (Budgewoi), Tahj Werner (Budgewoi), |
| 11 | Logan Moore (Kanwal) |
| 9 | Charlie Entwistle (Budgewoi), Conor Fitzpatrick (Berkeley Vale) |
| 8 | Stuart Adams (Budgewoi), Jayke Browne (Southern), |
Points Table –
