Minor Semi Final
Terrigal v Berkeley Vale
Last week, these two sides were fighting for a spot in the top four. This week, Terrigal and Berkeley Vale will meet again with their seasons on the line in the 2023 MPL Minor Semi Final.
This contest on Saturday will see a vastly different approach from both teams as they go from meeting at the difficult pitch of Duffys Oval to the pristine surface of Pluim Park.
Terrigal entered the final round of the winter competition needing a result to have any chance of scraping into the top four. The O’lads welcomed third-place Berkeley to their home ground as their opponents also looked for a result to solidify their place in the Finals.
After taking the lead in the second half, a small lapse of concentration from Terrigal allowed Berkeley Vale back in the game. However, Terrigal ultimately found their winner through substitute Aidan Bastick who ensured the reigning premiers would get a chance to defend their crown in the 2023 Finals Series.
Terrigal coach Pete Edwards took a moment to reflect ahead of his finals campaign this weekend. “Looking back at the season, I take great pride in having the whole squad being in finals this year. The 21s finishing first, Reserve Grade second and First Grade third, shows the hard work all the coaches and players have put in this year.”
“We’re closing the gap to the ever-dominant Killarney and finishing second in the club championship shows what a success the season has been. As we’ve spoken about all year, having so many players overseas and injured has been a real test on the squad depth.”
Despite only securing a finals spot on the last day of the year, the back-to-back Premiers will be amongst the favourites in this finals series as Terrigal always seems to perform when it matters the most, especially at Pluim Park.
“The focus this year was to have all Grades in finals, and the talk of back-to-back premiers was never really on my mind. Now we’re in finals you can feel that the boys are confident and have a real self-belief that they can keep going, but for me, I simply approach the games as any other. One game at a time,” voiced Pete.
Pete also expressed his thoughts on the opposition ahead of this do-or-die clash. “The previous encounters against Berkeley have showcased some really good football and well-organised teams. I expect the same this weekend. We will have a clear gameplan and focus for the match and it’s about execution on the day.”
“Playing at Pluim Park will suit both teams’ passing style and will allow the players more chance to play some good football rather than worrying about the bounce of the ball.”
The last time this season Terrigal played at Pluim Park they created history by being the first team to defeat Killarney in the winter competition in over 35 games. Now, the O’lads will hope that their home away from home can serve them well as they look to put an end to Berkeley Vale’s season.
“It’s not very often you play the same team two weeks in a row, so you never know if they will change things up to be unpredictable or keep doing what has made them successful this year. It’s all part of the tactical battle that I personally really enjoy.”
“For us, like every game I approach, I will make sure the boys are focused on the game plan and fired up ready to play in what I’m sure will be a really top display of football on the Coast,” expressed Pete.
Berkeley Vale will be counting their lucky stars after last weekend’s defeat as a last-minute goal in the Kanwal versus Southern & Ettalong fixture saw the Wombats remain in the top four thanks to a better goal difference over the Bulls.
Mark Pratt would have had butterflies in his stomach when his team were trailing after facing a similar position last year when Pratt’s men dropped out of finals contention on the final day of the year.
Nonetheless, Pratt and his squad led by head coach Andre Gumprecht are beyond proud of what their club was able to achieve as a whole this year. “Obviously I look at the whole squad from our 18’s to first grade and we have made a significant improvement. 18b and 18a both in the grand final and our three MPL teams making the semi-finals it’s been a big effort from everyone at the club not just the coaches and players,” voiced Pratt.
Berkeley Vale have come leaps and bounds in recent years as a squad. However, very few of their first graders have finals experience which could hinder them against a team like Terrigal who seem to thrive in finals football.
When questioned if finals inexperience will hamper his side. Pratt believes it will have the opposite effect. “If anything, it should be something that they relish, I believe we have enough experience in the squad to help out the younger players.”
Unfortunately for Andre and Mark, the end of the season has dealt some major blows to their squad with a small amount of players picking up injuries as they are now forced to make changes ahead of their most important match of the season.
“We will need to be at our best, some boys will get their first start in first grade this year after the handful of injuries that we picked up last weekend but I’m confident they will be ok they have been playing consistently well in reserve grade,” stated Pratt.
Pratt also spoke about how his side will be lining up ahead of the Minor Semi Final as he anticipates another hard-fought battle with the O’lads.
“We won’t be changing anything with how we play so I can’t see Terrigal doing anything different, they are a good side and will be hard to beat but I expect that it will be a close contest as have the other games this year.”
Match Official – Trent Dickeson
Major Semi Final
Killarney v Southern & Ettalong
Killarney finds themselves in a very similar position once again as Chris Ackerley and his men are just one win away from booking another grand final birth but must face the tough and resilient test of Southern & Ettalong who will be looking to turn their past finals misery around and add more silverware to the club in 2023.
Killarney put on a clinical performance on their final outing of the 2023 winter season, handing the relegated Wyoming a convincing 7-0 defeat as their two veterans, Andy Klijn and Tim Knight, were both able to record hattricks to their name.
This attacking duo is responsible for 27 of Killarney’s 55 goals this season, which equals just under half of all the goals scored by the League Champions came by Tim or Andy who have also both missed multiple games due to injury and other commitments.
Killarney continued to make history this season as the Terriers finished in the top spot in first grade for the seventh consecutive time, an outstanding feat that has never been done before in MPL history.
“I’m very proud of what the boys have achieved. Considering how hard it is to win the league to win it seven times in a row is amazing and shows their consistency,” stated Chris Ackerley.
Ackerley’s men only suffered defeat once this season which occurred in round 13 against Terrigal. That defeat was the last time Killarney played at Pluim Park as they will look to put that behind them when they make the walkout this Sunday.
Killarney will enter the contest against Southern with a wealth of finals experience and big game players which could be the key to them getting the job done on Sunday.
“We have a lot of players who are only playing in their second final series besides the seasoned campaigners in Kirk, Drake, Knight, Klijn, and Silvers.”
“We will definitely have to be disciplined defensively and be on guard on all set pieces as they are extremely dangerous. Both games have been close and expect nothing else again on Sunday,” commented Ackerley.
Chris also went on to speak about what he believes the opposition does effectively, “As usual Southern will be well organised and dangerous all over the park and I expect it to be a good hard game between two sides who have earned the right to play in this game with their consistency throughout the season.”
Southern & Ettalong enter the Finals as the most in-form team in the top four, as Dale Eggleton’s side are now unbeaten in their last six games.
Southern got their 2023 campaign underway in the most ideal way possible, qualifying for the Association Cup Grand Final where they met Division 1 side Budgewoi FC. After an extremely close, back-and-forth contest against Budgewoi, Dale’s men came out victorious to lift silverware for the first time since Dale took over the Lions.
Dale took a moment to reflect on the year so far, stating how proud he is of what the squad has been able to accomplish in 2023. “Very proud of the squad for what they have achieved so far with consistent performances, great attitude and they have adapted well to all the situations that you confront during a season.”
In recent years Southern have underperformed especially when it comes to finals. The Lions now have the chance to book another Grand Final spot for themselves with a win this weekend but must get past the test of Killarney which they have been unable to decipher in their two encounters this season.
“Concentration and discipline will need to be two important factors in our match plan as Killarney can hurt you at any given moment.”
“We have a good blend of youth and experience throughout the squad, and they all get on well on and off the field which should hold us in good stead for the Leagues Champions, Killarney,” insisted Dale.
In their two previous meetings this season, these sides met for a blockbuster round 1 fixture that saw Southern stun the Terries and take an early 2-0 lead. However, as they have done so many times before, Killarney found a way back into the contest as the points were eventually split in a 3-3 draw.
On their second encounter at James Brown Oval, another tight contest saw Southern give away a questionable penalty in the dying stages of that contest as the Terriers walked away 2-1 victors, ultimately ending Southern’s hopes for a first-place finish.
A standout for the Lions in recent weeks has been midfielder Jack Ellwood who recorded back-to-back hattricks towards the end of the season and will be determined to carry that form into Sunday.
Jacob Lepre has also been a standout once again for the Lions in 2023 as the left-footed deadball specialist has had his hand in scoring and assisting on frequent occasions for his side.
Dale knows the opposition enter the match as favourites with their wealth of experience in big games but insists his side will be ready and up for the challenge.
“Killarney will bring their past experience, so we have to be ready for it and the players and I are looking forward to the challenge of playing on the great surface at the home of Central Coast Football, Pluim Park.”
Match Official – Luke Dunkerley
Semi Final Fixtures –
