Match of the Round
Berkeley Vale 6 – 3 The Entrance
The Round 17 Match of the Round saw a desperate Entrance side looking to pick up some crucial club championship points from Mingara Oval however the Reddies were forced to leave emptyhanded after Berkeley Vale took victories in all three grades, including a 9-goal thriller in First Grade.
The local derby against the Entrance was highly anticipated by the home side, especially a night game at Mingara, the home of the mighty Wombats.
The field was very soft and presented some challenges for the Berkeley Vale players who like having ball possession and playing out from the back third.
Kane Woolston opened the scoring on Saturday night with a well-timed finish from a great whipped ball into the box from Ashton Hurley.
After the early goal, the Entrance had a big chance to equalise after a defensive error but somehow the ball stayed out of the goal as Berkeley remained 1-0 in front.
Berkeley Vale became very comfortable and controlled the game and the second goal of the contest was only a matter of time.
Kane Woolston returned the favour to Ashton, playing a ball through to the speedster as Ashton finished well for his first goal of the night.
After scoring again a defensive error invited the Entrance a lifeline into the game when awarded a free kick in a promising position.
Veteran Zac Anastas stepped up for the set piece and perfectly placed his effort over the wall and into the back of the net giving the opposition goalkeeper zero chance, taking the scoreline to 2-1.
However, the home side was not to be discouraged and bounced back quickly with their third goal of the game as Kane Woolston’s effort on goal was parried to the feet of Jakeb Brownlow who made no mistake with his effort on goal.
The Wombats then extended their lead to 4-1 as Kane Woolston once again set up Ashton Hurley for his second goal of the day.
Defensive errors were Berkeley Vale’s only fault as another mistake led to the Entrance getting one back and taking the game to 4-2.
As both sides searched for the next important goal, to the delight of the home crowd it was Berkeley Vale who extended their lead back to three goals after a great run from Cameron McCay saw him cut the ball back to an unmarked Kane Woolston who recorded a brace to his name.
Five goals quickly became six as Ashton Hurley headed home for his hat trick against his old club, putting the game to bed with his third of the match.
The Entrance had the final say scoring a consolation goal to make it 6-3 but it would be Berkeley Vale’s night under the bright lights of Mingara.
“Overall, a very entertaining game with lots of goals scored on both sides that gives us some homework to do coming into the crunch period of the competition,” stated a winning Andre Gumprecht.
Match Official – Hugo Fonseca
Wyoming 0 – 4 Southern & Ettalong
Southern-Ettalong United travelled to Alan Davidson Oval to take on Wyoming on Saturday Night knowing they were going to be part of history playing in the first night game at that venue.
The Lions also wanted it to be a good memory in their quest to play finals football this year and also knew the proud Tigers under the guidance of player-coach Ian McAndrew would be desperate to impress the home crowd and avoid relegation.
The opening 24 minutes of the game saw Southern playing at a good tempo and creating chances in their attacking third but as has been the case for many games for Wyoming they were being denied by the reflexes and anticipation of the Tigers keeper Tom Coventry, who was playing in his last game at Alan Davidson Oval.
The stalemate was broken at the 25th-minute mark when Jack Ellwood spectacularly scored a bicycle from a well-delivered Jacob Lepre corner.
Jack Ellwood was playing a prominent part in the game and provided the delivery for Southern’s second goal in the 54th minute when he found Charlie Polson on the back post, who finished well to put his side 2-0 up.
At the 60th minute, it was again Jack Ellwood in the game when from a long throw James Steer headed down to Ellwood to score his second and his team’s third goal.
The scoring was complete in the 80th minute when Jack Ellwood secured his hat-trick when he headed home a Jacob Lepre free kick which rounded off a good performance for the team from Southern Land.
“Wyoming Club should be congratulated on a great promotion of the game and the development they are putting into their young players. Whether they avoid relegation or not they are mindful of the future and developing the players that will take them there,” stated Dale Eggleton.
Dale also added, “I was pleased with our concentration and the tempo we sustained throughout the ninety minutes.”
Ian McAndrew commended Southern and Saturday night’s officials post-match. “Southern were very good considering they had up to 13 players out in their whole squad. They controlled the game and had a lot of possession. Their class players were the difference on the night. Good luck to Dale and his team in the Finals.”
“I will also say it was great to have two quality officials on the game it makes a huge difference when as a playing group you have trust in them. Credit to Luke and Miles. If only we got that consistency every week.”
Ian also gave huge praise and admiration to his loyal goalkeeper who played his last game under Wyoming and McAndrew. “This was our keepers Tom Coventry’s last ever match for Wyoming and on the Coast. What a career and what a player, by far the best keeper in the league and he could have played in any squad, but he stayed loyal to me and Wyoming even when it got tough between the sticks cause we let him down.”
“If it wasn’t for Tom it could have been 8 or 9. He has been massive for me ever since I have coached him. All the best Mr reliable!”
Match Official – Miles Allen-Scott
Avoca 3 – 2 Terrigal
Avoca got the best of their local rivals for the second time this season, marking the first time in the club’s history they have recorded both wins over Terrigal in the MPL competition as Terrigal is now outside the top four with just two rounds left to play.
Missing some key personnel who often add the physical aspect to their game, Terrigal struggled to get a foothold in the contest.
Avoca was first on the scoresheet after Cooper Ebrington was able to provide an excellent finish past the Terrigal goalkeeper, after some good play by teammate Jackson Carr.
Avoca then doubled their lead before the halftime break through an excellent header converted by Josh Menzies, who thoroughly deserved to get on the score sheet with his player of the match performance this past Sunday.
With play resuming in the second half, things went from bad to worse for Terrigal who were caught on the break once again as Roan Brown extended the Sharkies lead to 3-0.
Going into the halftime break Pete Edwards spoke to his side about competing better in the battle and they definitely improved in the second half.
Aidan Bastick mounted Terrigal’s comeback in the second half after he recorded his seventh goal of the 2023 season.
Tahj Werner was next on the scoresheet for the O’lads as he cut the deficit to just one goal.
However, it was too little too late for the reigning Premiers who were unable to walk away with any points and as a result, now remain one point outside the top four.
“It was a very physical game where Avoca simply wanted it more than us. It was a match where we never really competed in the 50/50 battles if I’m honest. We are fighting for a spot in the finals but the desire from Avoca to win the derby match was far greater,” spoke an honest Pete Edwards.
“For the first time this year we’ve dropped out of the top four and now have two very important games to focus on to make the finals,” added Pete.
A proud Neal Hide also commented on the win, “Congratulations to Avoca on a performance full of integrity; I still expect Terrigal to be contesting in the Finals.”
“I am again left wondering how Avoca could have gone this season if we had ever had a fully fit squad to choose from, today we had over ten players out injured or ill.”
Match Official – Damien Bury
Woy Woy 1 – 1 Killarney
Sunday marked an influential day for the Roosters as Woy Woy welcomed the competition’s gold standard and picked up points in every grade as Neal Morris and his squad now remain just two points from safety on the Club Championship ladder.
With only five fresh players in their warm-up, and the other starting six already on the field playing Reserve Grade to help get the job done, half of Woy Woy’s starting side already played ninety minutes previously to First Grade.
Woy Woy kicked off and were a little under the pump to start with as the visitors played well-structured football.
The opening part of the contest was played end to end as the half went on with Woy Woy diffusing multiple of Killarney’s opportunities.
Woy Woy continued to show good disruption off play, keeping the game compact but eventually, the Terriers managed to score the game’s first goal through an Andy Klijn header and a trademark Killarney goal.
The home side believed they were good enough to get back on level terms after creating a few chances of their own.
The equaliser eventually came for Woy Woy after a bad back pass was pounced on by Nathan Baker who expertly converted his chance to take the game level at 1-1.
Halftime saw Woy Woy discuss how good they were getting the simple things right and the good fight they put up in the opening 45 minutes reflected Neal. “We were confident the longer the second half went on and we played a short game, it was the most beneficial, as Killarney are a team that love to stretch you across the park and with their speed get in behind us easy.”
The second half saw Woy Woy play exactly how they spoke about during the break. Killarney stretched them on multiple occasions, but the Woy Woy defence continued to get the little things right and get their foot to the ball in vital situations.
Killarney had multiple corners at the back end of the half, but it was just not to be for Killarney who could not break the deadlock and find the go-ahead goal.
Woy Woy had a great chance themselves in the dying stages of the game as Ty Daniel put a great header slightly over the bar and the two sides were forced to split the points.
“The guts, the determination, and the belief that these boys had today was top shelf,” mentioned Neal. “The efforts from already six players playing the extra 90 min was phenomenal, as we had just drawn with the best first-grade side on the Coast.”
“These boys gave everything today and should be really proud, a great day for our club and sets up a great Sunday with Southern next Sunday.”
A disappointed Chris Ackerley now looks to the future as a win next week in first grade will see them crowned MPL League Champions for the seventh straight season. “On to next week where a win will give us the League Championship for both Firsts and Reserves, so a lot to play for.”
Match Official – Isaac Kastelan
East Gosford 0 – 3 Kanwal
Kanwal travelled to East Gosford knowing they needed to win to keep their finals hopes alive, and this showed with the Bulls starting fast and not letting up for the entire 90 minutes.
In the opening minute, Kanwal had a glorious chance with the ball played into Bayley Appo but he was unable to take advantage of the early opportunity as the Bulls seem destined for a big game.
It wasn’t until the 15th minute that Kanwal would open the scoring. Kanwal’s leading scorer Logan Moore picked up the ball out wide, cutting into the box and hitting a powerful shot into the top corner giving the East Gosford keeper no chance.
East Gosford would slowly start working into the game, but Kanwal would have the better of the chances only to be denied by the East Gosford goalie Luke Gunn.
However, it would be Brad Porter who would step up in the 34th minute with a free kick outside the box and made no mistake hitting the free kick into the bottom corner to give Kanwal a 2-0 lead at the half-time break.
Kanwal would start the second half with the same urgency as the first, but again would be denied by the East Gosford goalie or wayward shooting that failed to hit the mark.
There were periods of the second half that East Gosford looked threatening, but Kanwal’s defence were able to deal with any potential danger as they kept their clean sheet intact.
The game was all but sealed in the 31st minute of the second period with Jason Cozens playing a nice ball out wide to Mason Lavery who’s cross picked out Logan Moore at the back post and Logan made no mistake to get his second of the day, giving Kanwal a 3-0 lead.
Kanwal didn’t let up and Logan was denied a hattrick a few minutes later and Bayley Appo was denied late in the game as the East Gosford keeper continued to make fantastic saves.
Ryan Walker was delighted with the result and the effort of the boys. “It was our best 90-minute performance of the year and the boy’s attitude and desire throughout the game was fantastic. Now we turn our attention to next week and I’m expecting the boys to continue the momentum and come out with the same attitude and desire as today.”
“Credit to our keeper Luke Gunn who had a great game and kept us in it. We lick our wounds now and finish the season strong,” voiced Ricky Sansom.
Match Official – Jasper White
Golden Boot Standings –
| 13 | Jakeb Brownlow (Berkeley Vale), Kane Woolston (Berkeley Vale), Logan Moore (Kanwal) |
| 11 | Tim Knight (Killarney) |
| 10 | Andy Klijn (Killarney) |
| 9 | Jacob Lepre (Southern) |
| 8 | Cooper Ebrington (Avoca), Nathan Baker (Woy Woy), Jack Ellwood (Southern), Tyler Wade (Avoca) |
Points Table –
Club Championship –
Division 1
Round 17 Results –
Points Table –
Club Championship –
