Match of the Round
Southern & Ettalong 0 – 10 Terrigal
League Champions Terrigal see out the winter competition in dominant fashion, scoring double digits past a resilient Southern side as the O’lasses finish the year undefeated in First Grade.
It took Terrigal just eight minutes to grab their opening goal of the afternoon with Rachel Darby scored her first of the day. A flurry of goals from star striker Candice Phelan in the 11th, 20th, and 21st minute saw Phelan record a first-half hattrick to her name.
Indiana Moyes rounded out Terrigal’s first half as she scored her ninth goal of the season on the 39-minute mark as her side went into the sheds at the break with a comfortable 5-0 lead.
Despite a trying Southern side, the onslaught of goals continued in the second half. However, if it wasn’t for Southern’s keeper producing a magnitude of fantastic saves, the score would have blown out even more.
The first goal of the second period came from youngster Caitlin McMahon who added to her recent tally of goals at the back end of the season. Candice Phelan got her fourth in the 58th minute of play to extend the game to 7-0.
Gab Blanch and Lily Brooks also got themselves on the scoresheet along with Rachel Derby who secured her brace in the 83rd minute as the game finished 10-0.
Southern put up a brave fight and never stopped working, but a relentless Terrigal finished their season with an empathic win and plenty of momentum heading into finals next week.
An extremely enthusiastic Gab Blanch voiced her proudness when commenting after the game. “Very pleased with today’s results. We wanted to make sure both grades approached finals next week with strong momentum behind us, and the girls really delivered today.”
“15 goals between the two grades and six different goal scorers in first grade is something for this squad to be proud of. Congratulations to Southern, for a hard-fought battle and their never-say-die attitude.”
Match Official – Michael Tohme
Umina 4 – 0 Kincumber
Due to injuries and player unavailability, the Kincumber Roos playing squad was sadly decimated for the final match of the season and despite trying their hardest to the final whistle the Roos were outclassed by a clinical Umina outfit losing 4-0.
Despite a lack of player availability, the contest started fairly evenly for the opening 25 minutes. However, Umina ultimately grew in confidence the longer the game went on at their fortress of Umina Oval.
Having just missed a chance, Kate Styles once again found herself in space as her first shot was hit straight at the opposition keeper who fumbled the shot and Kate was able to capitalise on the fumble to record the evening’s first goal.
Kate got in on the action soon again as teammate Kirby Squires found her with a delightful through ball which Kate was able to finish off in the bottom left corner, extending Umina’s lead to 2-0 which they carried into half time.
The second period saw Umina continue to attack the Kincumber goal as Kate Styles took matters into her own hands, running through the middle of the park and passing four opposition defenders to round out her hattrick in an incredible solo goal.
Umina’s fourth and final goal came from Substitute Riley Lewin. Having broken her nose from an accidental elbow only moments before, Riley got on the end of a mix-up at the back and finished into the top left from outside the box to record her inaugural first-grade goal of the season, a bittersweet ending as she spent the night in hospital.
Steve Donaldson spoke after the game as his side finished the year in third place. “Stop and start type of game with a lot of fouls. Felt Kincumber were better than us in and out of possession with a really quick team. We just had a lot more possession and chances up top.”
“If they can take this excellent teamwork through the finals period they could spring a surprise on more fancied opponents,” voiced Kincumber David Cullen.
“WPL rookies Ellinya Kirkman and Airley Arnold had strong games, while Helaina Wellington and goal-keeper Heidi Cullen rallied hard to try and keep the Roos in the contest. Umina were strong across the park with their best players Hannah Batten and Kate Styles.”
“The Kincumber Roos would like to take this opportunity to wish all semi-finalists the best in their remaining matches and thank the CCF for a great season. The Kincumber Roos now eagerly await the 2024 season,” added David.
Match Official – Larry Jenkins
East Gosford 6 – 3 Kanwal
Pluim Park was the venue for this last-round clash between these two finalists who entered this fixture looking to ramp up preparations for the semi-finals next week which will once again take place at the home of Central Coast Football, Pluim Park.
Similar to previous meeting this season, there were goals a plenty in this fixture that didn’t disappoint.
With injuries and sickness, the Rams were only able to field eight fresh, fit and available first graders meaning their squad depth was really tested.
The opening half was a close-fought contest with both sides creating multiple opportunities but neither team could find the opening goal due to poor finishing or good goalkeeping.
Late in the half however, East Gosford took the lead when a corner was fumbled by the Kanwal keeper and Kelly Hogan was on hand to pounce on the loose ball and give East Gosford a 1-0 lead at halftime.
The second half was barely a minute old when East Gosford once again pounced on a Kanwal error. After some tactical tweaks at the break, Kelly Hogan grabbed her second after skipping past a few defenders and slotting home past the Bulls keeper.
With the change of tactics now starting to bed in, Rebekah Peake coming in from the left was next to score, finishing superbly into the bottom corner from 15 yards out to make it 3-0.
A Georgia Fellowes cross was fumbled into the goal by the East Gosford keeper as Kanwal got on the scoresheet to take the game to 3-1.
However, Kelly Hogan was on a mission and extended the lead after some clever close control and slid the ball under the Kanwal keeper to record her hattrick making it 4-1.
Kanwal pulled another one back when Jordan Evans continued her great season in front of goal with a shot that left the keeper no chance and Evans recorded her 21st goal of the season.
With the scoreline at 4-2 and the next goal extremely important, Grace Kay won a tackle just inside her half, evaded three Bulls players and fired a low drive into the bottom left corner to take the game to 5-2.
With East Gosford attacking at each opportunity the sixth goal came and was a beauty. A delightful corner was met from an on-rushing Steph Hansen who volleyed into the net from the edge of the box.
Kanwal got a consolation goal as Skye Parkes got her name on the scoresheet for the final score of 6-3.
Kelly Hogan’s hattrick saw her finish the season with an outstanding 27 goals and the title of WPL’s 2023 Golden Boot, a fantastic feat for the clinical attacker.
Kanwal’s Ben Raychaudhuri took his time post-match to congratulate his Reserve Grade side who were crowned League Champions after their come-from-behind effort on Sunday. “I’d like to start by congratulating our Reserve Grade on coming back from 2-0 and 3-1 down to earn a draw that sees them claim the League Championship. I know it means a lot to the entire squad that they could achieve this feat.”
“As for First Grade, we simply gave East Gosford too many opportunities. We were sloppy with the ball and put our defenders under so much pressure. We have some improvements to make as we prepare for next week’s semi-final.”
Ben also spoke post-game on the calibre of the opposition “They have quality across the park, even with some big-name players missing and they were good enough to take the opportunities we gave them. The fact we did score three and could have had more is the pleasing aspect.”
Jorge Chavez reflected on the back-and-forth contest as he also gave more of an insight into his squads depth heading into finals. “Both teams gave everything in a very entertaining match and was grateful for the final whistle. Kanwal are a top team and pushed us all the way.”
“It is not very often you have to substitute subs and with finals upon us we have way too many injuries which is far from ideal.”
Match Official – Nathan Boler
Golden Boot Standings –
| 27 | Kelly Hogan (East Gosford) |
| 23 | Tahlor Thackray (East Gosford) |
| 21 | Jordan Evans (Kanwal) |
| 18 | Kayla Vanderfield (East Gosford) |
| 16 | Kate Styles (Umina), |
| 15 | Gabrielle Blanch (Terrigal) |
| 14 | Candice Phelan (Terrigal) |
Points Table –
Club Championship –
