Match of the Round
Umina 2 – 0 Kanwal
We got a taste of finals this weekend as a well-rested Kanwal side made the long travel down south to face reigning WPL champions Umina at their fortress.
Umina started the better of the two sides, dominating possession as they showed patience building up from the back. However, Kanwal defended resolutely to keep them at bay.
Umina came close to opening the scoring when Kate Styles broke through, rounded the keeper, and rolled the ball into an empty net only for Haylee Starkey to stick out a foot and turn it wide.
It wouldn’t take Kate long to score when she was played through by Hayley Fulwood, again rounding the oncoming Kanwal goalie Kim Burke and this time calmly slotting home the opening goal from a tight angle.
Halftime saw an opportunity for Kanwal to make a few tweaks and this seemed to work as Kanwal dominated the second stanza without reward.
The home side doubled their lead when a perfectly weighted pass by Kirby Squires found Hannah Batten who broke down the left and chipped the opposition goalkeeper from a near-impossible angle.
That goal came totally against the run of play and despite conceding the goal, Kanwal continued their territorial advantage without reward as this time it was Umina who defended well to keep a clean sheet.
Umina’s Steve Donaldson voiced his excitement after the game, “I’m stoked for the girls. We were a disaster only two weeks ago against a really well-drilled Kanwal squad. I religiously ask to play from the back, but this season we’ve been really poor.”
Steve also voiced how this performance could drive this side to achieve some great things in the 2023 Finals Series. “Guess we’ve been a victim of our own success in this competition at times. However, up until the last 10 minutes, I don’t think we have ever been so confident playing out as we did on Sunday. We have finally got to see both our centre-backs play together this season. A relief to say the least and shows promise for the upcoming finals.”
Ben Raychaudhuri had nothing but high praise for the opposition after recording their first loss to this side in 2023. “Well done to Steve and the Umina girls for coming up with a game plan to put us off and to also execute it.”
“We were a bit flat to begin and Umina took advantage of that. I was really pleased with our response after a few tweaks at halftime, but Umina defended well to keep us out. They were more clinical in the big moments and that proved to be the difference.”
Match Official – Jeffrey Smith
East Gosford 6 – 0 Southern & Ettalong
On the back end of a stressful night of Tillies supporting, SEU were welcomed by the RAMS to a special day for the club as both teams were not only competing for three points but taking part in the annual Kate Cup in memory of a former player who sadly died at a young age.
Despite the dreary weather, spirits were high after a big Saturday night and of course a flurry of hot pink jerseys, socks, ribbons, and some necessary pre-game cupcakes.
The Rams, playing this round in pink, were down five first-team regulars and took time to settle and still adjusting to the new formation they have been playing for the last few weeks.
The first half brought some good chances from both sides, with SEU looking like a goal was to be had.
However, it was not long until East Gosford in their battering fashion, got a lovely goal with a superb Annika Hansen lob from the edge of the box which bamboozled the Southern defence.
Kelly Hogan was next to get on the scoresheet, cutting in from wide on the left and evading a few tackles slotting home low in the bottom corner.
Just before halftime, Jacinta Ling from 35 yards out sent a sublime freekick high into the top corner, sealing a 3-0 lead.
The East Gosford girls were early onto the field for the second period, showing their intent to get going again after the break.
It was a fast and highly entertaining sporting game with the SEU goalkeeper performing heroics, making countless saves, and keeping SEU in the game.
After a great period of possession football, Briana Green picked up a through ball and curled a fantastic strike high into the corner of the net to make it four for the home side.
Goals five and six came late with Kelly Hogan completing her hattrick, bursting from her midfield position and dribbling through three opposition defenders to calmly finish helping her team take all of the points and the Kate McCartin Cup.
“A goal loomed, However, unfortunately Sunday was not to be that day and the only goals SEU kicked were having an absolutely great time,” voices Lionesses coach Jules Smith.
Jules also mentioned, “Both teams played spectacularly, well vibed from the events of the night before and we finished off the day with a nice presentation before parting ways until next season.”
Jorge Chavez thanked Jules and her SEU girls for an enjoyable game, taking part in the cup and giving them a good test with some solid defending and top goalkeeping making it very competitive.
“With our numbers being down and a new shape, we did well. Some parts of our game, we could have done better, but we will discuss that at training and hope to get one or two players returning in the next few weeks.”
Match Official – John Jiggins
Killarney 0 – 2 Terrigal
Killarney hosted Terrigal in a well-contested match, which saw Killarney defend for their lives, denying Terrigal many times on goal throughout the 90 minutes as the O’lasses are now just one win away from being crowned 2023 WPL League Champions.
Killarney’s Abbey Omayao was her usual spectacular self, outstanding between the posts for the Terriers. Killarney also looked likely to score first, with a defensive blunder early in the half seeing Terrigal’s Mackenzie Walker having to involve herself early in the piece.
Terrigal regathered and remained patient in their attempts to build up, Killarney’s high defensive line caused frustration as the minutes ticked by. Killarney managed to keep Terrigal scoreless at the break, Terrigal’s determination was evident as they came out firing right from the start of the second half.
After multiple close attempts, including hitting the crossbar, and Abbey pulling off some top-shelf saves, Terrigal were finally rewarded for their persistence in the 77th minute, as Abbey Kitchener strode down the left wing, getting to the by-line and delivered her cross perfectly for striker Indiana Moyes to send into the back of the net.
Following another period of further goal attempts, Caitlin McMahon smashed home a loose ball that fell to her on the edge of the box to make it two goals to the good for the visitors after a long period of high-intensity attacking football.
“Well done to Killarney today, they looked like they came into today’s fixture with a very clear plan, and executed well,” declared Gab Blanch.
“I’m happy with our consistent style of play, and the patience we showed in having to break down a stubborn defensive line for the full ninety minutes.”
“Congratulations to Terrigal they are a very organised team. For Killarney so proud of the way we never gave up,” voiced a pleased Terriers coach Adam Tait.
Match Official – Nathan Boler
Golden Boot Standings –
| 24 | Kelly Hogan (East Gosford) |
| 23 | Tahlor Thackray (East Gosford) |
| 19 | Jordan Evans (Kanwal) |
| 18 | Kayla Vanderfield (East Gosford) |
| 14 | Gabrielle Blanch (Terrigal) |
| 12 | Kate Styles (Umina) |
| 11 | Chelsea Campbell (Umina) |
Points Table –
Club Championship –
