MATCH OF THE ROUND
Berkeley Vale 1 – 4 Budgewoi
Budgewoi put on another goal-scoring clinic to be crowned the 2025 MPL First Grade League Champions, a feat 17 years in the making since their last first-place finish.
It took the visitors just seven minutes to open the scoring against last year’s Premiers. Playing out from the back in their signature style, Budgewoi pressed the Wombats, forcing a turnover inside Berkeley’s 18-yard box.
Stuart Adams won the ball, chipping a shot over the opposition goalie who was stranded on the 6-yard line as Adams coolly found the back of the net to send his team up 1-0.
24 minutes in and Budgewoi would double their lead after a great run by Chris Lennon down the byline saw him cut the ball back into the box. Lennon was unable to find a teammate, but instead an opposition defender who turned the ball into his own box for an own goal.
The contest then turned into a back-and-forth arm wrestle as Berkeley Vale searched for an answer back into the game whilst looking to stop the Budgewoi attack from further extending their lead.
As the second period commenced, it was again a close battle between the two sides who searched for the next important goal.
Berkeley Vale were confident heading into the second half knowing they had turned things around against Budgewoi before. Budgewoi were also very cautious of this and made sure to enter the last 45 with the same enthusiasm as their opening stanza.
Twenty minutes into the second period, a Budgewoi striker appeared to be brought down in the box by Ashton Hurley. Hurley and his teammates thought he won the ball, but the official pointed to the spot, awarding Budgewoi a penalty.
Tahj Werner stepped up for his side, sending the goalie in the opposite direction as he made it three goals to the good for the soon-to-be crowned League Champions.
With ten minutes to go, Troy Haywood found himself on the end of a long free kick on the edge of the 18-yard box. Haywood backed himself and unleashed a powerful and precise shot to beat the keeper from distance, finding the side netting in a goal of the year contender.
The home side would find a consolation goal. A free kick from the edge of the box was poorly dealt with by the Budgie defence as a shot was fired in low and firm, bouncing off the boot of Ben Glachan into his own net.
That was just the third goal scored against Budgewoi in the last 10 games, with Haydn Appo’s men finding the back of the net 39 times in the same period as they comfortably saw the remainder of the game out to be your new League Champions.
“’We knew that today would be a challenging environment. If you take out their backline errors, it would have come down to a pen and a long-range bomb,” voiced Appo.
“We are very proud of the boys’ focus and commitment, not only today, but throughout the season. We are delighted with what today’s win means to the players and club.”
Mark Pratt congratulated the opposition post-match. “Congratulations to Haydn, Corey, and everyone associated with Budgewoi on their outstanding season. At this point in time, no one can get close to them.”
Match Official – Trent Dickeson
Kanwal 1 – 0 Avoca
In their quest for survival, Avoca travelled to Wadalba Sports Complex for a fixture with the Bulls and despite a tight contest, the Sharks were unable to claim any points as relegation seems inevitable with only one week to go.
Despite Kanwal ensuring a top-four finish and Avoca at the other end of the ladder, it was an extremely tight first half with neither side creating many chances.
Logan Moore looked the liveliest without creating a goal-scoring opportunity as the attacker looked dangerous with his pace and ability to get in behind the Avoca defence.
Looking to repeat last week’s Goal of the Week, Cal Dunkerley tried his luck with a long-range free kick but failed to test the keeper who claimed the ball with ease.
The only goal of the game came on the half-hour mark as Zachary Moore received the ball in his own half. Evading his defender, Moore played the ball out wide to Joseph Liddle who carried the ball to the byline.
Liddle returned the ball to Moore on the edge of the box who whipped a dangerous ball into the box, looking to find a teammate. His ball evaded both attackers and defenders, beating the crowded area and making its way into the back of the net.
The second half started and Avoca almost found an equaliser after a dangerous cross into the box. However, the Sharks attacker was unable to steer the ball onto goal with his head as the vital opportunity went begging.
Kanwal looked certain to double their lead ten minutes into the second period as Logan Moore found himself with only the keeper in his way inside the box, but a fantastic double save from the Shark keeper Phil Anderson kept his side in the game.
Coming out much stronger than their first half, Avoca had a goal ruled out after Jessie Parnell was deemed offside in the build-up. Oliver Chipendale also came close with a free kick, but as has been the case all year for this side, Avoca couldn’t seem to find that crucial goal.
Reece Gerungan stopped a certain goal for Kanwal, clearing well off the line to keep the Sharks’ hopes alive.
But it wasn’t to be for the Sharks despite a courageous effort, leaving them at the bottom of the ladder three points behind ninth place with a significantly lower goal difference.
“It was a tight contest played in good spirits. Unfortunately, we just weren’t able to create enough to win us the game. I wish Kanwal all the best for their finals series,” spoke Mitch Harrison.
Match Official – Brayden McDonald
Woongarrah 4 – 4 Wyoming
A game for the fans and a life-shortening one for the coaches, Woongarrah and Wyoming put on another match for the ages, an 8-goal thriller at Hamlyn Terrace as they both look for a result next week to avoid a relegation play-off series.
From the opening stages the game was end-to-end, with both sides playing attacking football. It would be the home side on the scoresheet first when a cross into Jack Gallagher would be headed home from close range.
Just before halftime Wyoming would equalise to make it 1-1 when a schoolboy error at the back from Gryffyn Stevenson would gift Jacob Gilbert a free shot on goal, which he would score with.
Nonetheless, Woongarrah would take the lead into the break, finding their second goal just minutes after conceding. Superb play from Ridge Mapu saw him find Dylan Holz alone in the box as Holz calmly converted to take the game to 2-1.
It would take Wyoming less than ten minutes into the second half to find another equaliser. Henry Walker rose the highest in the box from a corner to head home for the Tigers.
Next on the scoresheet was the home side once again, taking the lead for a third time as a Jacob Melling shot was parried into the path of Holz who reacted the quickest to secure his brace and a 3-2 lead for Woongarrah.
A foul in his own box by Ridge Mapu would give Wyoming a penalty with only ten minutes left to play. Wyoming captain Jared Mcnee would fire home into the bottom left corner to once again restore the deficit to even.
For the first time in the game and seven goals later, Wyoming would take the lead from a long throw-in by Henry Walker. The Woongarrah keeper misjudged the ball, parrying the ball into his own net with little time remaining as the visitors went up 4-3.
Down but not out, Woongarrah showed their championship mentality to find an equaliser deep into the second period as a Matt Johnson shot would deflect off the Wyoming centre back on the way through and find the back of the net as the scoreline remained 4-4 at the full-time whistle.
“That match really summed up our season. Moments of brilliance followed by some very poor decisions. But what stood out was the never-say-die attitude and the effort from the boys, which was pleasing to see,” reflected Luke Rogers.
“I wish Snork and his team all the best in their push to remain in the MPL next season.”
Scott Snodgrass also reflected on the contest. “Ask me if I would be happy with a point going to Hamlyn Terrace at any stage of playing them over the last few years and I would say yes, even though I was disappointed in conceding when we had the 4-3 lead.”
“I compliment my lads for their high press and willingness to stick to our game plan and equally their response in the second half after my all-time expletive-ridden spray at half time regarding standards.”
“To Luke, Kev and staff and players, thank you for a roller coaster afternoon in what was a very entertaining match as they always are between us. Good luck in the Derby next weekend.”
Match Official – Luke Dunkerley
Terrigal 1 – 3 Killarney
The second instalment of the 2025 Ash Grant Cup saw Killarney get one back over rivals Terrigal for their earlier loss in the season as the Terries picked up a massive three points to solidify their spot in MPL for the 2026 season.
It was a quick start for the Terriers who found the opener inside five minutes. Declan Ackerley finished into the far corner of the goal after a ball dropped down just inside the box.
The Terriers would have to wait until just before halftime to find another goal. Lachy Mackett scored after a corner wasn’t cleared by the Terrigal defence.
The ball was headed back towards the goal and Mackett swept it into the net to make it 2-0 just before half-time, giving his side some crucial breathing room to enter the second period.
Will Hamilton was next on the scoresheet for the Terriers. A good move down the right saw Will Hamilton finish a cross on the left-hand side of the 6-yard box, extending his side’s lead to three goals.
Searching for goals, captain Max Vegter was pushed up front from centre back. Vegter was able to score a header, reducing the deficit to two, but it was too little too late for the O’lads as Killarney survived the last 15 minutes which saw limited chances to either side.
“Pleased to get a victory and secure the club’s position in the Premier League for next season. Onto next week, where hopefully a victory will see us finish fifth for the season,” said Chris Ackerley.
Match Official – Miles Allen-Scott
Ourimbah 0 – 4 Southern & Ettalong
Southern extend their incredible record for 2025 to 14 wins in 17 fixtures, defeating this Ourimbah side 4-0 as the Falcons now turn their attention to what could be their final game of the year as they look to avoid a relegation/promotion play-off series.
Inform Jayke Browne had a chance in the opening five minutes, but he was unable to guide the ball into the back of the net. Southern enjoyed a string of corners and long throw-ins, which the Ourimbah defence was able to defuse.
One of these long throw-ins saw Ourimbah counterattack with pace as the attack finished with an Aron Bone strike that his both posts as the Falcons almost took the lead against the run of play.
That missed chance would hurt Ourimbah as Southern would find the opening goal at the other end just minutes later.
A failed clearance from the back fell to attacker Matthew Jacobsen who linked up with Jayke Browne for a one-two. Jacobsen was played in on goal and expertly tucked the ball into the bottom corner for Southern’s opener.
Five minutes after getting their first, Southern were awarded a penalty after a scrappy challenge inside the box.
Captain Todd Balneaves stepped up for his team, but his first effort was saved as the goalkeeper could only parry it back into Balneaves’ path as he finished in an open net.
Ourimbah ended the period with chances of their own, but the Southern defence remained intact to hold their 2-0 lead to conclude the opening 45 minutes.
Southern couldn’t ask for a much better start to the second period, scoring after just 40 seconds thanks to a Jack Ellwood cross that found Keith Gumbs alone at the back post as the veteran striker finished clinically into the bottom corner.
Things went from bad to worse for Ourimbah as their goalkeeper, Kyle Lawther, was shown a straight red card on the 70-minute mark, giving Southern their second penalty of the day.
Drew Lawther went in goals as Todd Balneaves stepped up to the spot once more. Balneaves again fired low and hard, this time beating the keeper who dove the right way to claim all three points for his side.
“A good game of footy against a side fighting for survival. Ourimbah never stopped trying to play football and made us work for the points,” applauded Matt Page.
“We kept building pressure from the outset and despite a scare when the scores were level, I thought we were in control of the match throughout. Special mention to our 18’s goalkeeper James Clarke, who made his 1st grade debut and was outstanding in goals, keeping a clean sheet”
“All the best to Ourimbah in the last round, though I think they might have done enough already to ensure their survival. For us, with the way the table is, we have an opportunity to rest a couple of guys before the challenge of finals.”
Match Official – Preston Lorusso
Golden Boot Standings –
| 16 | Tahj Werner (Budgewoi) |
| 14 | Jacob Lepre (Southern), Christopher Lennon (Budgewoi) |
| 13 | Logan Moore (Kanwal) |
| 11 | Charlie Entwistle (Budgewoi), Jayke Browne (Southern) |
| 10 | Stuart Adams (Budgewoi) |
Points Table –
Division 1
Round 21 Results –
Points Table –
