Terrigal v Ourimbah
With one game left to play, a lot remains on the line for our final Match of the Round for the 2025 MPL winter season as Terrigal and Ourimbah aim to avoid a play-off series that could see them relegated to Division 1 in 2026.
Terrigal have the joy and advantage of finishing what could be their final game of the season on their home turf, Duffy’s Oval.
This will serve as just the fifth game Terrigal have played at their home ground this year as another wet season has forced this Terrigal side to be relocated on many occasions.
In their four previous games Terrigal have played at Duffy’s this year, they have recorded losses in three of those fixtures, all against top four sides Kanwal (3-1), Southern (1-7), and Budgewoi (5-0).
Their only win at home this season came in round 13 against Wyoming for their ‘Old Boys Day’. Terrigal hardly put a foot wrong during that fixture as they came out 3-0 winners.
That being their last home game too, Terrigal will be adamant in repeating that performance come Sunday when they look to pick up another crucial three points against an Ourimbah side one point above them.
O’lads head coach Ryan Pearce is close to wrapping up his second year in charge of the orange outfit. Not only leading this side as a coach, but Pearce is also a vital player in the squad, providing plenty of leadership and experience.
As his second year comes to an end, Pearce took time to reflect on his experiences and the challenges he has faced throughout 2025. “It’s been a really big learning curve for myself.”
“Trying to adapt our play style to accommodate some of our individual strengths and minimise our weaknesses that were crucifying us in the early parts of the season.”
Pearce also mentioned the positives that have come out of the squad. “I’m most proud of the resilience we have shown in the later rounds of the season.”
“We were in a very difficult situation sitting last on the ladder five weeks ago. We had a meeting and called ourselves out for our lack of commitment. We spoke about pride and wanting to ensure our great club stays where it belongs.”
Having faced Ourimbah just four rounds ago in a rescheduled match at Tuggerah Regional Complex on a Tuesday night, Pearce and his men prevailed 3-1 against the Falcons which will provide them with some much-needed confidence ahead of Sunday after last weekend’s tough loss.
Despite going down 3-1 to Killarney last Sunday in the second instalment of the 2025 Ash Grant Cup, in hindsight, that loss could benefit this side in more ways than one.
Having beaten Killarney 4-0 earlier in the season, Terrigal could have entered their second meeting expecting another win, which wasn’t the case. If the O’lads enter this weekend with the same attitude, having already beaten Ourimbah, it could have a severe impact on their chances of playing MPL football next year.
Ryan Pearce is well aware of what’s at stake this weekend and is confident in his team’s ability to get the job done.
“We have lots on the line this week to not leave it in anyone else’s hands. I don’t feel like we need to change much. We need to show up with lots of energy and enthusiasm, play on the front foot and go for the full ninety minutes.”
Unlike Terrigal who need a win to avoid a play-off if ninth place Wyoming pick up a win on Sunday, Ourimbah only need a draw to guarantee their safety and remain in MPL for a second straight year.
In their first year back in the top-flight competition after an 11-year absence, it has been quite an up-and-down year for the Falcons who look to finish their season on a high.
“I think overall the squad has found the jump to Premier League challenging but we haven’t been out of our depth,” voiced Kyle Lawther. “It’s been a great learning experience for the boys that haven’t played Premier League before”
Lawther also stated, “The core group has been together for three years with the goal to be in the Premier League which we achieved.”
“The thing I would be most proud of the squad would be how we handled the departure of Macca and how the boys have rallied together for each other to finish the season the right way and close the chapter we started three years ago.”
Ourimbah have been a side to never count out, especially at home as they have picked up wins over quality MPL outfits Kanwal, Killarney, Woongarrah and Berkeley Vale all at Ourimbah Oval.
Their only other win of the season also came at home, a 2-1 result over last-place Avoca, as this side is yet to record a win on the road in 2025.
This squad has been through a lot of turmoil this season, including losing their head coach for the final five games of the season.
Ourimbah enter the final game week in one of their worst slumps of form this season, conceding 10 goals in the past two fixtures whilst only scoring one goal during the same period.
As they enter their biggest game of the year, this Sunday’s clash will serve as a Grand Final for the Falcons who look to prove why they deserve to be in the competition for years to come.
As with most Grand Finals, form typically goes out the window and comes down to who wants it more on the day, a battle Lawther and the Falcons won’t shy away from.
“There’s a lot on the line in this game and plenty to play for. I don’t think much will change and the boys are going to be fired up and finish the season with a bang. It’s our grand final and it’s in our own hands.”
“The key this weekend will be taking our chances and being resilient under pressure. We’ve matched it with all the top teams this year but have struggled against the weaker teams. So coming out and executing our individual roles is a must.”
All Round 7 Fixtures –
