Woongarrah v Ourimbah
Ourimbah are fresh off an enormous win over Woongarrah’s local rivals Kanwal last weekend as the Falcons search for back-to-back wins for the first time this season when they travel to Hamlyn Terrace for this week’s Match of the Round showdown with the Wildcats.
One year on from their historic MPL First Grade League Champions winning season, Woongarrah find themselves in another battle, only this time it’s to stay in the top-flight competition on the Central Coast.
This outfit started the year with a 2-0 win over Avoca, but their next three points didn’t come until nine games later when this side were finally able to record their second victory of 2025, snapping an eight-game losing streak.
After going a majority of the season sitting at the bottom of the ladder, Woongarrah recorded back-to-back victories over Terrigal but has failed to pick up another win as this side has only recorded three wins so far, sitting in eighth on 13 points.
These two sides have clashed once before during this season, with Ourimbah prevailing 1-0 at home over the Wildcats thanks to a late winner. Despite coming off second best in that result, Luke Rogers isn’t taking much away from that result.
“If I’m being honest, the last game was always going to be a one-goal match. The lighting at Ourimbah’s home field made it hard to see who was on whose team, and the field had only been mowed with a push mower the night before because of how wet it was. So, I’m not reading too much into that game between the sides.”
Woongarrah end their season with three straight home games which will provide a much-needed boost to this squad who look to transform Hamlyn Terrace back into the fortress it was 12 months ago.
Ahead of this important run of fixtures, Rogers is sticking to his guns as he believes his team has what it takes to cement their spot in MPL in 2026.
“Preparation stays the same. With the rain forecast for the week, training will be very minimal. The boys know what’s at stake, and I’m sure Ourimbah do as well.”
“We’ve got a few players in doubt, but hopefully they’ll come good by Sunday. Unfortunately, it’s going to be a game-day call with a couple of them.”
With wet weather continuing to wreak havoc and disrupt training all over the Coast, these ninety minutes on Sunday will most likely be decided by the side that wants it the most.
With so much on the line, Rogers is confident his side can get the job done if they are consistent all over the park.
“I’ll just be making sure everyone understands their role. We need to keep playing with the same consistency we’ve shown over the past six weeks. If we do that, we give ourselves the best chance of taking all three points.”
Ourimbah will enter Sunday’s important clash still feeling the highs of last week’s important win over fourth-placed Kanwal.
The Falcons welcomed the Bulls to Ourimbah Oval and took a 2-0 lead inside the first half. A ten-minute lapse saw Kanwal go 3-2 up before Ourimbah steadied the ship and came back to record a 4-3 victory, earning an enormous three points.
Not only was that win three points in the right direction as Ourimbah look to avoid relegation a year after being promoted, but a mid-year coaching change sees Ian McAndrew depart the club as the Falcons get a win under their new leaders.
That victory has seen Ourimbah defeat Killarney, Woongarrah, Berkeley Vale, and Kanwal, all at home in 2025. Last week even saw multiple first-grade debuts given out as these players rose to the task at hand and delivered for their club.
Confident they can beat Woongarrah again, Kyle Lawther and the squad are looking forward to their second clash with the Wildcats.
“The second encounter of the DMC Cup has the boys fired up, coming away with a well-deserved, hard-fought 1-0 win in the first game. We’re low on numbers but after the recent turmoil the club put us grade boys through, we have stuck together for each other, and it showed with our win on Sunday.”
Lawther also touched on limited training time but is adamant that it won’t affect the squad come kick-off. “It’s been hard with all this rain and field unavailability but our preparation for this weekend’s game will be no different to our standard, and come Sunday the boys will be on.”
“The boys know what’s needed from them but the message that we’re sending our boys out with is to be physical, work hard for each other and not take a backwards step. Key to success will be our effort areas and maintaining focus for the full ninety.”
All Round 17 Fixtures –
