MATCH OF THE ROUND
Terrigal 1 – 1 Ourimbah
With both clubs entering the final Match of the Round with a chance of falling into the play-off series, a point for either side ensured their safety as Ourimbah and Terrigal will return to MPL in 2026.
The Ourimbah boys rocked up in style to enemy territory, knowing what was required from the squad as the game was played on a dusty, rock-hard Duffy’s Oval.
Ourimbah were slow out of the blocks and gave Terrigal a couple of cheap corners early on. After 10 minutes, Ourimbah clicked into action and began to play a good style of football, working their way from the backline through Terrigal midfield easily but couldn’t quite get the breakthrough.
The game was tense at times with both teams not giving an inch, but Ourimbah were on top. With 5 minutes to go before the break, Terrigal made a break down the left and whipped a cross which wasn’t dealt with by the Ourimbah backline.
With the ball falling to the Terrigal striker’s feet, he struck a shot from point-blank range that was stopped brilliantly by Kyle Lawther in the goals. That would take the teams to halftime.
The second half started much like the first with Ourimbah in control of the game and Terrigal only able to knock long balls, hoping for success by turning the opposition around.
Ourimbah had numerous corners but just couldn’t find the breakthrough. With the pressure mounting, Terrigal gave away a free kick in the middle of their half.
Toby Browne floated the ball into the box which wasn’t dealt with by the Terrigal keeper and Linkin Pappalardo was on hand to bury the ball into the net which sent the Ourimbah team and supporters into celebration mode.
Unfortunately, those celebrations would only last a minute, as Terrigal were able to hit straight back through a counterattack down the left, which brought a cracking strike onto the post and fell perfectly to Terrigal’s Harrison Stone for a tap-in equaliser.
With both teams pushing for a winner, the score would remain level and full-time would see both clubs play their final game of the year.
“I think the boys were unlucky not to come away with three points,” said Kyle Lawther. “Terrigal didn’t offer much except for a long ball, which caught us out once.”
It has been the story of our year, and we just couldn’t capitalise on our chances and bury teams. Proud of the boys for doing our job, and the goal was to stay up in MPL for 2026 and finish above Wyoming, which we have done for the past two years.”
Match Official – Anthony Kabbout
Woongarrah 5 – 0 Kanwal
Woongarrah claim bragging rights over their local rivals on the final day of the winter season as The Wildcats finish their year on a high, while Kanwal rested their valuable players ahead of their big elimination semi-final this Saturday.
The first half was played mostly in Kanwal’s half, with them staying compact and well-structured. Woongarrah had a fair few corners and created half-chances, while Kanwal had a couple of chances themselves on the counter, but the opening 45 minutes was a scoreless affair.
Early in the second half, within the first minute, James Stiffle had a chance but put it over the crossbar from close range. Only minutes later, James would score from almost the same spot, driving it into the top of the net.
Twenty minutes later, James had his second after Jacob Melling squared the ball across the face of the goal to pick out an unmarked James, who tapped it home to double the home side’s advantage.
The third goal came only minutes later when a long ball from his own half by Gryffyn Stevenson found the run of Noah Crossingham, who beat the oncoming keeper, knocked it around him, and found the net to make it 3-0.
Woongarrah’s fourth was the goal of the day. Matty Lewis intercepted the ball on halfway, laid it off, and continued his run forward into the box. Ridge Mapu beat his man and crossed to the far post, where Isaac Zappala headed it back to Lewis just inside the six-yard box.
Lewis then produced a bicycle kick into the side netting, beating both the keeper and defender.
The final goal came when Alex Govorcin made a run into the box and played the ball across to Jacob Melling, who finished from six yards out.
“I thought my lads did well to stay focused on the job at hand and secure the win at home against a Kanwal side missing 90% of their first-grade players,” stated Luke Rogers.
“I wish Ryan and his boys all the best in the finals.”
Ryan Walker was pleased with all the boys’ efforts over the whole day. “Many of our squad played two or three games on the day to allow us to rest our 1st grade squad.”
“I’d also like to thank the All-age boys and juniors who helped out on the day under difficult circumstances.”
Match Official – Jason Blackwood
Southern & Ettalong 3 – 1 Berkeley Vale
Southern completes the double over last year’s Premiers, recording a 3-1 win over the Wombats on the final round of the year as they look to book their place in the Grand Final with a win over League Champions Budgewoi this Sunday.
It took the home side just ten minutes to open the scoring. Looking to play out from the back, Berkeley Vale’s Paul McGinley uncharacteristically turned the ball over to Matthew Jacobsen as Jacobsen drove into the box and fired home into the side netting with authority.
Jacobsen again was causing havoc to the Wombats’ defence, this time sliding in Keith Gumbs who got a shot off inside the box but fired it high above the goal as a good chance went begging.
A miscommunication at the back between defender Nick Trengrove and keeper Jack Arigho saw Keith Gumbs bounce on a loose back pass to chip over the oncoming goalie to head home into an empty net for Southern’s second.
Gumbs thought he had a second to his name after a cross from Todd Balneaves found Gumbs at the back stick who guided the ball over the keeper using his head, only for Trengrove to clear the ball off the line, saving a certain goal.
From hero to zero less than two minutes later, Trengrove found himself on the end of a defensive long throw-in. Attempting to clear the ball, Trengrove accidentally steered the ball into the back of his own net, making it 3-0 for Southern.
After an early penalty shout for Southern in the second period, Berkeley started to create chances of their own, only to be stopped by Alex Wardle on multiple occasions.
Berkeley eventually found their coal after a corner was cleared to the edge of the box. Conor Fitzpatrick fired home past a crowded box of players to hand the Wombats a lifeline with half an hour still to play.
Berkeley thought they had a second ten minutes later, but a fantastic double save from Wardle kept the scoreline at 3-1.
Both teams continued to create as the full-time whistle came to a close, but neither side was able to add to the scoreline as Southern claimed their 15th victory of the season.
“On a very poor surface, both teams tried their best to play football where possible, and the match was pretty entertaining,” stated Matt Page.
“We had the better of it in the first half but Berkeley Vale came back into it, as they always do and we had to rely on some good goalkeeping from Alex to keep them to one goal. All the best to Gumps, Pratty and the Berkeley lads for the finals.”
Mark Pratt also commented on the fixture, “Another game of two halves and unfortunately, we let the game slip away in the first half. Congratulations to SEU for making the finals in both grades.”
Match Official – Jasper White
Wyoming 0 – 2 Budgewoi
2025 League Champions Budgewoi top of a historic year with another clean sheet victory as the boys from Budgewoi now set their sights on completing the double, starting with a win over Southern this Sunday.
Wyoming entered their final winter season match of the year hoping for a miracle against the first-place side, looking to avoid a promotion/relegation play-off series.
It was a positive start for the home side who created a few half-chances on goal. Their best was a long-range effort from captain Jared Mcnee whose long-range shot from distance forced a full dive from the Budgewoi keeper as it whistled just past the post.
Up the other end, Josh Swadling had a similar strike from a similar distance, forcing a strong save from the Wyoming number 1.
From the resulting corner, Swadling delivered a pinpoint cross into the six-yard box as Stuart Adams flicked the ball home for the opening goal of the day.
Looking for a reply, Wyoming looked for a set-piece equaliser of their own after a flurry of long throw-ins by Henry Walker.
Budgewoi thought they had doubled their advantage moment before the halftime whistle after finding the back of the net, but the play was called back as the Budgewoi attacker was deemed offside.
Budgewoi opened the second period with quite a few good chances but some brilliant defence from Mcnee kept the scoreline at 1-0.
Continuing to push for an equaliser, Budgewoi hit Wyoming on the counterattack as a ball over the top was bounced on by Chris Lennon.
Lennon got the best of his defender, dribbling into the box and chipping over the Wyoming keeper with a tidy finish to double his team’s lead.
The Tigers threw everything they had at Budgewoi in the hopes of unlocking their defence but Budgewoi remained strong, seeing out the victory for their 17th win in 18 games.
“Thought we battled great against the best team in the league,” spoke Scott Snodgrass. “Giving their quality players continuous set pieces from our scrambling is always going to hurt you.”
“A mistake from the back later in the game and that’s all Chris Lennon needs to punish you. We played a solid game vs the best and I’m proud of the squad for that. Not the end for us and we move on to a game vs Doylo next weekend.”
Match Official – Preston Lorusso
Killarney 1 – 1 Avoca
After a historic and unmatchable tenure for Chris Ackerley, his final day as coach for Killarney ended in a 1-1 draw with Avoca as the Sharks will join the Men’s Division 1 competition in 2026 after their last-place finish.
Despite the windy conditions, the game opened with both teams trying to play the football around on the floor, abiding by their clear ideologies.
The first half was a slight stalemate with not too much separating the sides. Killarney would have the better chances however, it would go wide of the goals.
The best chance for Avoca in the first period came through an Oliver Chippendale free kick who has been looking dangerous from free kicks as of late, however, he was unable to convert.
The second period would begin with Killarney hitting the front foot and controlling the tempo, as Avoca still looked asleep from the break.
This would result in Killarney opening the scoring through a scrappy defensive and Phil Anderson would ruin his 17th clean sheet of the year.
Killarney continued this good pressure looking dangerous however, the nonchalant presence from Avoca defender Owen Bradstreet and the youngster Tom Nicholls would keep the Killarney attackers at bay.
This gave the Avoca attackers life as they pushed for an equaliser with the clock winding down. Some great work from Avoca midfielder Declan Kendrick resulted in some chances going missing.
However, with two minutes on the clock, the Avoca talisman Oliver Chippendale would have a great chance on the half volley which was stopped from a fantastic save from the Killarney keeper.
Despite this Avoca continued on, a brilliant corner would result in one of the moments of the season as Avoca goalkeeper Phil Anderson would make history as he stormed into the box and headed home via a deflection.
With one minute left, neither side would have time to seek a winner, as the game ended in a draw and both seasons were over.
“Fair play to Killarney, it was a tough contest,” acknowledged Mitch Harrison.
“Congratulations to Chris on a great spell at the club, and all the best on his next adventure. Although the season hasn’t quite panned out like we hoped, I’m still a proud coach of a group of great guys.”
Match Official – Hugo Fonseca
Golden Boot Standings –
| 16 | Tahj Werner (Budgewoi) |
| 15 | Christopher Lennon (Budgewoi) |
| 14 | Jacob Lepre (Southern) |
| 13 | Logan Moore (Kanwal) |
| 11 | Charlie Entwistle (Budgewoi), Jayke Browne (Southern), Stuart Adams (Budgewoi) |
| 10 | Conor Fitzpatrick (Berkeley Vale) |
Points Table –
Division 1
Round 9 Results –
Points Table –
