Match of the Round
Kincumber 1 – 0 Killarney
The Round 17 clash between Kincumber and Killarney Vale was a torrid affair as both sides threw everything at each other to gain the vital three competition points as Kincumber, Killarney Vale, Umina, and Kanwal are locked in a battle for the third and fourth semi-final spots.
In the end, the Roos outlasted the Terriers to record the critical 1-0 win to jump to clear third on the table.
Still, with successive upcoming matches against competition heavyweights Terrigal and East Gosford, the Roo girls must dig deep to maintain their semi-final trajectory.
The keenness of the battle saw players continually jostle for possession in a game marked by solid defence from both teams.
For the Roos, this was evident through the constant urgings of keeper Heidi Cullen, who continually rallied her ‘brick wall quartet’.
Working together with speed and determination, this backline quartet of Anisha Sei, Emilie Piltz, Courtney Wilson, and Lucinda Miranda paved the way for the Roos’ victory.
Killarney Vale, too, was strong in defence during the first period, pulling off some great defensive plays to thwart certain goals as attacking speedsters Helaina Wellington, Olivia Melenewycz, and Emily Smith who seemed sure to score on several occasions.
Despite enjoying field position during the first period, the 0-0 scoreline at halftime meant the game was up for grabs. Coach John Jiggins went to his bench and injected Charlotte Heath and Lauren Tindale into the fray for the home side in the second period.
The Roos began the second half as they finished the first, with the team mounting some well-crafted attacking plays primarily due to deft midfield work from Tamara Foster and Nina Boije Af Gennas.
The constant pressure tolled for Killarney Vale midway through the second half when Charlotte Heath found the ball at the mercy of her devastating left foot and cleverly drove it past the keeper from 30 metres.
Kincumber was denied another opportunity when striker and team captain Emily Smith was taken down by a Killarney Vale defender when she was one-on-one with the keeper and looking to score.
Most on the ground expected the ref to point to the spot, only to see him wave the play on. The game continued to be played at a hectic pace as Killarney Vale pushed for an equaliser, but time ran out for the visitors as the full-time whistle sounded.
“A tough result for the girls,” said Jai Menser. “It was a scrappy game, neither team was in control of the game or a whole lot of football executed at Frost. Like always, we stay together, patient and keep developing collectively”
Match Official – John Shaw
Terrigal 5 – 0 Kanwal
Terrigal Tords hosted the Bulls for their first home game of the 2024 season on Sunday and the Duffy’s advantage was evident from kick-off.
The Tords settled into the game early on, holding the majority of possession and working persistently to break down a stubborn Kanwal defence.
It wasn’t too far into the half that Tahlor Thackray took an opportunity to add to her goal tally for the season. Following an attacking combination into the box, Tahlor calmly finished past Kanwal’s GK to break the initial deadlock.
Terrigal struck again just a few minutes later with a well-delivered corner that found the head of Sophie Piltz to make it two for the home side 20 minutes into the contest.
Kanwal continued to play a disciplined, high-defensive line, at times making it hard for Terrigal to build up.
Terrigal responded well to Kanwal’s defensive efforts, continually finding their pacey wingers Kate Moss and Adele Leggett in plenty of space behind the defensive line.
In another attempt on goal, Terrigal were awarded a penalty, and ever-consistent Maddie Yates stepped up and confidently buried her shot into the top right-hand side of the goal.
Just a few minutes before halftime, Terrigal’s Sophie Piltz gave the Tords a comfortable four-goal lead heading into the break, taking things into her own hands and finding the back of the net directly from a corner.
The second half saw personnel changes from both sides, seemingly igniting a spark in Kanwal’s step.
The Bulls were unable to convert any of the chances they created and remained strong in defence as Terrigal continued to make a nuisance of themselves in the top third.
Kanwal managed to keep their second-half deficit to just one goal, Terrigal’s Maddie Yates slaloming her way through a number of Kanwal players to slot home her second for the day, topping off a great day out for Terrigal.
“A pleasing outcome for us today,” announced Gab Blanch. “Another important three points for us as we head into the pointy end of the season.”
“We came in with a pretty clear plan as to how we wanted to approach this game, and I believe the players really executed. We knew Kanwal would be tough to break down, and if I’m honest the scoreline is probably an inaccurate reflection of how defensively good Kanwal was.”
“Terrigal is a good and very fit, we couldn’t keep up. They proved why they are up the top,” stated Jen Tatum. “We just need to keep believing and finish the season off strong with important games we have coming up.”
Match Official – Alex Rusten
East Gosford 6 – 1 Woongarrah
After entering the halftime break with the score locked at 0-0, seven goals in the final 45 minutes saw East Gosford return to winning ways after an uncharacteristic slip-up mid-week.
It was always going to be a tough game against East Gosford for Woongarrah, one of the competition heavyweights. After a scrappy start, the Wildcats slowly worked their way into the fight as the contest settled into a tight affair.
The goalkeepers were a standout in the opening 45 minutes, denying the opposition of breaking the deadlock at both ends to keep the game on level terms to conclude the first half.
The halftime break couldn’t have come quicker for the opposition who had multiple players playing with injuries and only one substitute available on the bench which was always going to make it difficult for Woongarrah to keep up with East Gosford in the second stanza.
East Gosford got their first of the evening through a penalty which current WPL Golden Boot leader Jess Dominello had no trouble putting away to give her side the lead.
Things then went from bad to worse for Woongarrah who saw their captain Chloe Hogan forced to leave the field after succumbing to injury. With their leader now off the pitch, East Gosford scored four unanswered goals to take a commanding 5-0 lead.
Dominello was able to secure another hat-trick to her name to take her goal tally for the season to 20. Kimberley Meyer also got in on the fun, recording a brace on the scoresheet for her first and second goals of the season.
Last year Golden Boot winner Kelly Hogan replied with a run of her own which she was able to beat five defenders before putting the ball in the back of the net from 35 meters out.
East Gosford’s Aleah Soames had the last say in the contest, rounding out the scoring in the final moments of the game with a great goal from a near-impossible angle to give the Rams a 6-1 win.
An extremely positive Kaine Harmsworth reflected on the game. “Plenty of positives today despite the score line.”
“We are still learning with a young team to play the full ninety minutes and not dropping intensity for five-minute periods. Well done to East Gosford they put on a great day and great atmosphere, and we wish them well for the remaining games and finals.”
Match Official – Stephen Wrightson
Golden Boot Standings –
| 20 | Jessica Dominello (East Gosford) |
| 15 | Laura Mundy (East Gosford), Madelene Yates (Terrigal) |
| 13 | Kelly Hogan (Woongarrah) |
| 11 | Kate Styles (Umina) |
| 10 | Emma Hurley (East Gosford) |
| 9 | Kate Styles (Umina), Charlotte Heath (Kincumber) |
Points Table –
Division 1
Round 16 Results –
Points Table –
