MATCH OF THE ROUND
Killarney 2 – 0 East Gosford
For the first time since 2013 and only the second time in the club’s history, Killarney’s were crowned WPL League Champions following their 2-0 win in a top-of-the-table clash against the Rams.
Sarah Hudson and her side now look to make even more history by finishing the year unbeaten as they chase more silverware in the Finals Series.
The Killarney District Soccer Club & East Gosford FC game took an early field change from Edsacc Oval to a packed Pat Morley Oval for 3 crucial points in the chase for Minor Premiership.
Captain Lucy Metcalfe opened the scoring in the 30th minute after a number of Killarney chances and corners. A brilliantly delivered corner from Oriana Evans found her captain’s run, and the ball was thumped into the back of the net.
Moments later, against the run of play, a through ball from midfield found Rams Kelly Hogan on a runaway to goal. Returning from injury, Terrier goalkeeper Chloe Smith stood tall and made a crucial one-on-one save to deny the chance.
The game was a great spectacle of women’s football on the Coast, great skill, desperate defending and prestige finishing.
Candice Phelan was introduced into the game late in the first half due to an Ella Goodwin injury and made an immediate impact.
Having the three top WPL scorers on the field now was always going to make for an exciting second half.
The second 45 minutes followed much of the first, with the Terriers continuing to nullify the threats of Jessica Dominello and Kelly Hogan and winning the midfield battle.
Terrier shots on goal were recorded for Maddie Yates, Hannah Batten and Jordan Evans, and it seemed only a matter of time until Killarney doubled their lead.
The Rams’ best chance in the second half fell to Jessica Dominello who found herself running towards goal with only Lucy Metcalfe to beat.
The desperate backtracking of Katie Olivera and Oriana Evans intercepted her run and typified the Terriers’ desperation to win League Champions in this game.
In the 83rd minute, another Lucy Metcalf corner found the head of the Terriers’ top goal scorer Candice Phelan and the early celebrations began on the sideline as Killarney saw out the remaining minutes to claim victory.
“I’m so proud of every single player in our squad and every member of our back staff. They’ve worked extremely hard to achieve everything that they have set out to do from preseason,” voiced Sarah Hudson.
“We’re going to reflect and take this all in this week however the exciting and most positive thing about our success is that there is even more in this team.”
We’ve achieved something enormous today, but the scary part is that there is even more to give from the girls. We’ll remain humble and now work towards our next goal.”
Match Official – Stephen Wrightson
Southern & Ettalong 1 – 0 Kincumber
126 days later, Southern & Ettalong snapped their losing streak to record just their second win of the season, taking down a Finals-bound Kincumber with an impressive clean sheet victory.
In high spirits from a good outing midweek against The Entrance, where SEU were unlucky to come away with the loss, The Lions where eager to not have a similar outcome to their last game with the Roos, but instead similar to their opening fixture against Kincumber.
The game started as they expected though with Kincumber on the front foot. The first breakaway 6 minutes in that Harzl Lippl had to deftly defend in the box to prevent a shot on target.
Just a few minutes later Olivia Melenewycz had another opportunity on goal and sent the ball over the crossbar, then another chance a moment later. Kincumber were well in control in the early stages of the first half.
After this SEU started to get into the match, with Elizabeth Jamieson working hard up front to press the defence at every opportunity. This led to her pouncing on a poor pass from Kincumber and a shot at goal.
The rest of half was players out in an evenly matched affair, until the dying minutes when SEU’s goalkeeper Emily Trengrove, made a great save from Olivia again.
With Kincumber’s ever-dominant Olivia finding little success due to the young Millie Doorman’s outstanding first half, Kincumber opted for a slight change in tactics and positions.
The second started in similar fashion, both teams rather evenly matched. Harzl working overtime to match Kincumber’s pace up front.
The deadlock was broken after 60 minutes when SEU had a corner that was played back out to Hannah Davidson.
Davidson’s powerful low cross allowed Elizabeth Jamison to get a touch on it, diverting it around the Kincumber goalkeeper to put the Lionesses 1-0 up.
To be 1-0 up against one of the top three teams on the Coast was a lead SEU did not wish to relinquish. So soon after SEU dropped to a defensive posture to see out the rest of the game.
Although Kincumber came close on occasions, the tactic paid off and resulted in SEU Lions’ second win for the season.
A game that could have gone either way, Kincumber certainly had their chances, but the game was played in good spirits as both teams walked away without any complaints, injuries or cards.
“I know Kincumber were missing some key players tonight, but we also as per usual were low on numbers,” voiced Southern’s Adrian.
“In addition to playing injured players who should not have started let alone play an entire 90 minutes of football. I couldn’t be prouder of the resilience, determination and enthusiasm the girls showed tonight. I feel like a proud dad tonight.”
Tamer Mansour also spoke on his squad availability and the contest, “We had seven players from our squad due to prior commitments and injuries. Played Thursday night and Saturday night. It’s the old saying, ‘if you don’t take your chances.’”
“We created a lot of easy chances but couldn’t convert them! Football is simple, you don’t take your chances you will probably lose. Credit to Adrian and his team for a great game, they fought until the last minute and deserved the win.”
Match Official – Graeme Gurr
Kanwal 1 – 1 The Entrance
Down on the scoresheet and down to 10 players, a resilient Kanwal fired home late to secure a point in their third contest with the Entrance as both teams battling for Finals were forced to take a point each.
Having met two times previously before this third encounter, Kanwal entered this final meeting having recorded two wins over The Entrance in 2025. Stepping onto their home pitch, Kanwal would have been extremely confident come kick-off.
As for the Entrance, they were able to break their 4-game losing streak mid-week against last-place Southern, so despite being held scoreless in the previous three games before, the Reddies took some much-needed momentum into this important fixture as they looked to get their Finals hopes alive.
In what was a hard-fought, high-quality contest, the game didn’t receive its first goal until the last 15 minutes.
A lovely passing move from The Entrance down their right side ended with a pinpoint cross from Ruby Watt that was met at the far post by the energiser bunny Jade Hawes who headed home.
Things went from bad to worse for the home side who were reduced to nine players after Molly Couch was shown a red card for dissent.
With time running out, a late Kanwal corner saw them find their equaliser to snatch a point away from the visitors as both team now require a near perfect run home in their final three games if they wish to play finals in 2025.
“The Reddies displayed some of their best football all season with short crips passing and relentless effort by all the girls. A special mention to the midfield they were the standout with strong challenges and intelligent positioning throughout the game,” spoke Entrance assistant Simon.
Match Official – Robert Taylor
Terrigal 3 – 2 Umina
Two red cards didn’t deter this courageous Terrigal side who were able to take down fourth-placed Umina, closing the distance on the ladder between the two clubs to just two points as the race for Finals intensifies with three games to go.
Coming into this fixture, Terrigal had the 4-0 beating from the last time they faced Umina in the back of their heads as they were determined to not let that happen again.
The first ten minutes was played at a fast pace. However, a mix-up with the Terrigal keeper and backline allowed Umina a golden chance on goal which was taken in the seventh minute by Amber Mangan.
The game then went back and forth with each team having chances to score. Terrigal were next on the scoresheet to even the ledger with a header from Nicole Prampromis at the back post finding the back of the net.
Terrigal’s midfield fought hard to shut Umina down through the middle as their two young guns Gabbi Healey and Bree Currell on the wings controlled Umina’s speed out wide.
Terrigal’s hard work paid off on the half-hour mark when Georgah Shearim, off a throw-in, worked into the box and with her slipping was still able to chip the opposition keeper and put the O’lasses 2-1 ahead.
Looking to take their lead into the break, Terrigal tried to keep Umina at bay but a close offside call went in favour of the visitors who were able to equalise with only seconds left on the clock in the first half thanks to Tori Sheriff.
Having a settling chat at half time, Cait Walker’s Terrigal stepped onto that field determined not to concede another goal in the final 45 minutes.
However, 10 minutes into the second half Gabriella Healey was sent from the field and now Terrigal were forced to play the final 35 minutes with just 10 on the park.
Terrigal went into overdrive and were lead by Tanisha Wallace who played every position except keeper. On the 60-minute mark, Walker looked to her bench for some much-needed energy.
Rochelle Davis, a WAA 1 keeper, played in the backline and Grace Goodman from W18 played on the wing which made a big difference to the side.
Ten minutes later Terrigal found the go-ahead goal from a Emma Power corner which found Georgah Shearim who slotted the ball into the back of the net for her brace, giving Terrigal a 3-2 advantage.
Umina pushed hard through the midfield and had several changes of their own as they searched for an equaliser. Terrigal’s task got even harder 80 minutes in when another red card was shown to Milla Melverton.
Despite only having nine on the field, Terrigal were able to hold out Umina for the win, leaving nothing in the tank.
“As a coach I could not be prouder of the team,” voiced Walker. “As I have stated all season this year our goal was not to get relegated, and we look as though we have achieved that. This is a building year for us and today showed we can do amazing things”
Match Official – Larry Jenkins
Golden Boot Standings –
| 19 | Jessica Dominello (East Gosford) |
| 15 | Candice Phelan (Killarney) |
| 13 | Kelly Hogan (East Gosford) |
| 12 | Hayley Green (Kanwal) |
| 10 | Ruby Watt (Entrance) |
| 8 | Georgah Shearim (Terrigal), Olivia Melenewycz (Kincumber), Kimberley Meyer (East Gosford) |
Points Table –
Division 1
All Round 17 Results –
Points Table –
