MATCH OF THE ROUND
Wyoming 1 – 3 Killarney
Match of the Round saw Wyoming and Killarney battle at Pluim Park for precious points. In the end, the Terriers repeated their earlier meeting to claim victory against the Tigers to move up to seventh while Wyoming now finds themselves in the relegation play-off zone.
In a game in which Killarney entered knowing they had to win, the Terriers received a massive boost when 2024 MPL Player of the Year Ryan Gibson started just his second game of the year and the first since the opening round, giving his side a big lift going into such an important game.
The first big chance of the game came on the ten-minute mark when Tigers captain Jared Mcnee received the ball in the box, swiftly turned and struck a left-footed shot that was parried over the bar by Declan Drake.
Mcnee again found himself in a dangerous position just minutes later, this time his right-footed shot went miles above the goal, but promising signs were there for Wyoming.
However, the opening goal came at the other end of the pitch as Will Hamilton intercepted the ball on halfway and made a bounding forward run. Tim Knight played Hamilton into the box, who shot first time.
Hamilton’s shot was parried into the way of Jay Swadling who shot twice but was blocked on both attempts. The ball was eventually cleared to the edge of the 18-yard box where Kyle Graham was able to score through a crowd of bodies to give Killarney a 1-0 advantage.
Wyoming continued to create chances, shooting from distance and looking dangerous off corners, but again it was Killarney with the next statement, with a goal from a corner of their own.
Tim Knight delivered a dangerous ball that looked to be goal-bound, only to be headed off the line by Henry Walker. Ryan Gibson gathered the loose ball at his feet and fired it into the net to double the Terriers’ advantage.
Few chances came for either team in the dying minutes of the opening half as Killarney happily entered the break two goals to the good.
Looking for a positive start to the second period, it was anything but for the Wyoming men. An extremely uncharacteristic mistake from Henry Walker saw him play Jay Swadling in on goal as Swadling converted coolly.
Not giving up, Wyoming looked for a reply but a tremendous Killarney backline forced the opposition to a few chances on goal as Wyoming tried their luck from distance, but without any outcome.
At fault for Killarney’s third goal, Henry Walker found himself up front and on the end of a long ball as he was able to finish into the bottom corner to hand Wyoming a lifeline.
Despite giving it their best effort, it was to be Killarney’s night over Wyoming for the second time this year as the score remained 3-1 in favour of Killarney.
Despite the win, Chris Ackerley knows his team need more results in 2025. “Good to get a win but still need more points to make sure of safety. Good luck to Scott and his boys for the rest of the season. It’s going to be an interesting end to the season.”
Scott commended his quad post-match for fighting until the final whistle. “Very disappointed in the first half performance, especially with so much to play for. Credit to my lads in the second half after they had scored their third, they didn’t give up, chased the game hard and got one back.”
Match Official – Luke Dunkerley
Berkeley Vale 1 – 0 Terrigal
Only the one goal separated these sides jousting for points for two different reasons with last year’s Premiers securing a goal at the death thanks to Ashton Hurley as Berkeley Vale bounce back to winning ways.
Originally scheduled to be played at Mingara but with the recent wet weather the fixture was moved to Pluim Park to ensure the game would go ahead.
Berkeley Vale were adamant to snap a two-game losing streak, and Terrigal was looking to continue their good form after a season-best three wins in a row.
The match started with both teams settling into their formations, moving the ball around well, trying to suss each other out.
Berkeley Vale arguably had the majority of possession in the opening minutes, but Terrigal were well organised in defence, sending a clear message that if Berkeley Vale wanted to find a way through, they had to work hard.
Terrigal were quite content to sit back and absorb pressure, which for the most part they did quite well, with Berkeley playing a very patient game.
The opening 30 minutes saw very few chances, Berkeley Vale trying to find an opening, but Terrigal continued to be very well disciplined at the back.
The best chance of the first half came in the 36th minute when Connor Fitzpatrick turned well and drove his shot past the Terrigal keeper only for the ball to rebound back off the post.
Not long after that, young Liam Peers charged onto a switch from his own half, down the sideline, cut in and managed to beat two defenders, but his shot didn’t quite have the power to beat the keeper.
Berkeley Vale continued their drive towards finding an opening and again tested the Terrigal goalkeeper in the 41st minute with Jakeb Brownlow unmarked in the box, heading the ball towards goal which produced a fine save from the Terrigal number 1 Jackson Odell.
The second half continued in a similar fashion with Berkeley Vale dominating possession, however, Terrigal were determined to make life difficult and remain well structured.
It wasn’t until the 64th minute that a real chance came for Berkeley Vale again, with Connor Fitzpatrick using his pace to beat the last man in defence, round the keeper only for a courageous defensive effort in blocking his shot and preventing a goal.
Andre Gumprecht went to his bench in the 70th minute bringing on Ashton Hurley in an attempt to inject some fresh legs to open up a stubborn Terrigal defence.
Terrigal’s best chance of the game came in the 85th minute when a wide ball into the middle, came off the head of Berkeley Vale defender Nick Trengrove, leaving goalkeeper Jack Arigho worried only for it to go just wide and result in a corner.
With 5 minutes to go it looked like Terrigal substitute Josh Bush would go through on goal with just the keeper to beat, but as the ball got caught up it allowed the Berkeley defender to slide in and get a crucial block.
The game’s only goal came in the 89th minute and it was indeed super substitute Ashton Hurley with a low, powerful strike from 30 yards. Hurley’s shot swerved and skidded on the wet surface, just enough to deceive the Terrigal goalkeeper and send Berkeley home 1-0 winners.
An unfortunate ending for a disciplined Terrigal performance, but a morale-boosting victory for a Berkeley Vale side hoping to build a run of good form heading into the finals.
The win for Berkeley Vale sees them retain their 3rd place on the table, and for Terrigal, they sit 6th but with only 5 points separating 5th and 10th.
A relieved Berkeley Vale coach Andre Gumprecht commented, “Ryan had his team focused on their task today, they were very well organised and we had to work extremely hard to achieve the outcome we desired. We wish Terrigal the best of luck for the remainder of the season.”
“I’m really proud of the boy’s effort and resilience they displayed on Saturday night. It was very different to our normal style of play and without training on it, they did a brilliant job,” commented Ryan Pearce.
“Berkeley are a great side all over the park who play their systems very well. We tried to frustrate them as much as we could, but their class prevailed. Best of luck to Gumps, Pratty and his boys in the finals, they will give it a red-hot crack to go back-to-back.”
Match Official – Dylan Watson
Woongarrah 1 – 4 Budgewoi
Despite going down in the first half, Budgewoi showed their winning mentality to record a come from behind victory against last year’s League Champions as this year’s league leaders go one step closer to claiming first-place silverware in 2025.
Under the bright lights of Hamlyn Terrace last Saturday night, Woongarrah looked to right their wrongs from their earlier encounter this season where Budgewoi handed the Wildcats their biggest defeat of the season.
A goalkeeping error in the opening stages of the game saw Josh Swadling almost record the game’s opening goal, but a last-ditch tackle by Woongarrah’s Robert Cooper saved a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
Budgewoi continued to pressure the Woongarrah goal with multiple corners, but Luke Roger’s men were up to the task, closing down any opportunity that arrived.
Midway through the first half Woongarrah had an attacking corner of their own which led to a goalmouth scramble, the ball was almost turned into the back of the net, but was cleared off the line in a nervy moment for the visitors.
It would be the home side on the team sheet first when set-piece specialist Jacob Melling struck a long-range free kick which was misjudged by Keeper Nathan Denton, giving Woongarrah a 1-0 lead with five minutes left in the opening half.
Budgewoi responded before the half-time whistle after a free kick of their own was whipped in by Josh Swadling. Unable to clear the ball, an attempted bicycle by Troy Haywood fell to the feet of teammate Tahj Werner who converted from close range to tie the score.
It took Budgewoi only ten minutes to find the go-ahead goal in the second period. Once again, a Swadling free kick was delivered into the box, but this time it was punched away by the Woongarrah keeper.
Bayley Appo tracked the ball down out wide, beat his defender before crossing a low and hard ball into the box which was met by Chris Lennon who tapped home from inside the six-yard box.
Budgewoi made it three on the half-hour mark of the second stanza with Charlie Entwistle cutting in from the left to fire a shot to the bottom right corner which hit the post. Teammate Tahj Werner was the first to react, tapping a ball into the open net.
The final goal of the game came from a set-piece routine. A short corner was played to Entwistle who beat his man inside the box and fired a powerful shot low into the bottom corner of the net, wrapping up another victory for Haydn Appo’s men.
“Proud of the boys coming from one goal down in what can be an intimidating and challenging away night fixture,” voiced Appo.
“Well done to Corey, Hayden and their team,” said Luke Rogers. “You can see why they are coming first with the depth they have in their squad. Their bench was full of starters and missing Stu Adams. I wish them all the best in their quest for the League champs”
Rogers also added, “I feel a 4-1 score line doesn’t do justice to how close the game was and unfortunately we couldn’t capitalise in the first half when we were playing some great football. We don’t have the depth Budgewoi have in First grade, and as the game wore on that showed.”
Match Official – Jason Blackwood
Kanwal 3 – 4 Ourimbah
Despite recent adversity, Ourimbah let their football do the talking with another enormous win at their home ground against finals-bound Kanwal as the Falcons came from behind to record victory in a seven-goal thriller.
The game started off with both teams even and getting into the speed of the game, creating equal chances with both teams not giving an inch.
A through ball over the top wasn’t dealt with from the Kanwal backline, allowing Zac Vincent, on his first-grade debut, to unleash a shot from 30 meters out leaving the opposition keeper no chance to give Ourimbah a 1-0 lead.
Ourimbah gained confidence and momentum, continuing good combination play when going forward.
The Falcons doubled their advantage through an Aron Bone long throw, Kanwal couldn’t clear their lines and the ball spilled to Jack Bennet who was able to bury the ball with a clinical finish for a 2-0 scoreline after the opening half.
Kanwal had plenty of chances to get back into the game with the best chance falling to Zac Moore in the last minute of the half, but he hit his shot straight at the keeper.
Kanwal would change formation to begin the second half, and it would pay dividends with 3 goals in the first 15 minutes.
Firstly, Logan Moore would curl a shot into the corner and then Zac Moore would score a similar goal.
Joey Liddle would give Kanwal the lead with a well-taken shot to the near post giving the keeper no chance and giving Kanwal a 3-2 lead.
At this stage Kanwal were in total control and should have sealed the game but for a lack of composure in front of goal and having a goal disallowed for offside in a close call.
Ourimbah were able to steady the ship, build some pressure and get back on level terms. With some great build-up play and persistence from Aron Bone, Bone picked the ball up and cracked a shot, with the Kanwal goalkeeper failing to make a routine save as the game was now level at 3-3.
With the game in the balance heading into the final minutes, Ourimbah were on its last legs as Mitch Hubbard drove into the box and was fouled by a lazy Kanwal defender, resulting in a penalty.
Captain Phil Holmes stepped up calmly and sent the keeper the wrong way, and celebrated in the mud as Ourimbah claimed all three points.
Ryan Walker was gutted after the game. “My boys turned up too casual today. No urgency to win the second ball, lost most 50/50 challenges and were extremely poor in front of goal. We had a good 20-minute period but even then, we were still wasteful in front of goal.”
“My boys need to understand there are no easy games in this league. Credit to Ourimbah, they were down on troops but were committed all game for the battle. Hopefully my boys learn a lesson, if not we will be just making up the numbers come the finals series.”
Match Official – Anthony Kabbout
Avoca 0 – 5 Southern & Ettalong
Two teams at the opposite ends of the table met at Fagan Park this past Sunday and the difference showed as second-place Southern & Ettalong proved too strong for the Sharks, scoring five past Avoca with five different goal scorers.
Southern went on the attack from the opening stages as they looked to add to their impressive goal tally for 2025. Despite early chances, Avoca’s backline limited the Lions to shots from distance that failed to hit the target.
A quick throw-in on halfway saw Todd Balneaves pick out the run of Jayke Brown in behind the Avoca defence. Browne lobbed the ball into the box as Jack Ellwood put his body on the line to tap the ball into the net for the opening goal after ten minutes, but Browne’s effort was enough to record his ninth goal of the year.
Southern continued to throw waves of attack at the Avoca goal looking to double their advantage.
The home side enjoyed some good chances on the break but were unable to capitalise, with Jackson Carr providing a physical presence up top that gave the Southern defenders some grief.
Avoca’s best chance of the half came from an Owen Bradstreet effort was saved well by Alex Wardle when the score was just 1-0.
Southern eventually doubled their lead moments before the half-time whistle when a direct ball from Todd Balneaves broke through the Avoca backline leaving Charlie Polson in on goals as he headed the ball over the oncoming keeper for a 2-0 half-time lead.
It didn’t take the visitors long to pick up where they left off. Four minutes into the second period a dangerous attack saw Jacob Lepre pick out Theo Forsberg who tried his luck from distance and found the bottom corner with a powerful attempt.
Minutes later and it was four for the Lions as Jack Ellwood picked up a loose ball and found the run of Lepre who tucked the ball home through the legs of the goalkeeper for his 14th goal of the season.
Southern’s fifth and final goal came on the 75-minute mark when again Ellwood picked up a loose ball and found Lepre out wide on the left. Lepre placed a ball across the face of the goal where the timeless Keith Gumbs was on queue to fire home into an open net.
“Really happy with the performance and thought my guys handled the tricky conditions really well,” stated Matt Page. “We converted a few chances and we continued to share the goals around, which is always pleasing.”
“The Avoca lads never stopped working, forced a few good saves out of Alex and kept us on our toes for the full duration. I wish Mitch and the guys all the luck in their fight for survival.”
Avoca’s coach Mitch Harrison looks to pick up the pieces next week against league leaders Budgewoi. “Another challenging afternoon against a good side. We competed well at times but were punished heavily when our concentration lapsed. Credit to Matt and his players, they are a great chance of winning the comp this year.”
Match Official – Hugo Fonseca
Golden Boot Standings –
| 14 | Jacob Lepre (Southern), Tahj Werner (Budgewoi) |
| 13 | Christopher Lennon (Budgewoi) |
| 12 | Logan Moore (Kanwal) |
| 10 | Charlie Entwistle (Budgewoi) |
| 9 | Conor Fitzpatrick (Berkeley Vale), Jayke Browne (Southern) |
| 8 | Stuart Adams (Budgewoi) |
Points Table –
Division 1
Round 18 Results –
Points Table –
