MATCH OF THE ROUND
Avoca v Killarney
Killarney has the chance to make history this Sunday by being the first team since the 1970s to finish the season with a perfect win record but must defeat an Avoca side in their season-best form.
For the first time this season, Avoca has claimed back-to-back wins in their last two fixtures as they boast wins over Woongarrah (3-0) and finals contender Southern Ettalong (3-1). The Sharks now turn their attention to breaking the code no other team has been able to crack this year when they meet Killarney at Pluim Park. With finals out of their reach and relegation never a worrying factor to this Avoca squad, having zero pressure to get results in recent weeks seem to be working in this young side’s favour as they are enjoying their longest winning streak of the season. Once again, this weekend all the pressure will be on the opposition team as Avoca look to repeat last weekend’s performance against Southern and walk away victorious. After grabbing a double for his side last weekend, Tyler Wade finds himself just two goals off the golden boot leader as he has one week to try to finish on equal terms or even above the opposition striker. Avoca has played a Pluim Park three times this season and has recorded 2-goals minimum to their name in each of those fixtures so the big, flat surface of Pluim Park seems to work well for this side as they hope they can have a similar fortune this weekend against the best defence in the league.
Neal Hide had nothing but high praise for the opposition coach and is looking forward to the challenge in their final game of the year. “Huge credit must go to Chris and Killarney for their outstanding achievement this season. Once again Killarney has set a standard that no other club can attain, we all keep trying to learn and copy Killarney but they’re still way ahead of everyone. We can’t wait to play the best team in the competition, it will be very tough for us but we are relishing the challenge of playing against the Champions.
Killarney made it 17 wins from 17 games following their 2-1 win over Terrigal last weekend for the Ash Grant Cup. On that day, Ethan Hall grabbed a double to steer his side to victory but a late red card to their captain Sam Kirk will see their important centre-back miss this weekend’s important clash. Also missing due to suspension will be Andy Klijn who received his fifth yellow card against Terrigal and attacker Matt Hall who is still recovering from injury. The absence of these three key players is sure to play a massive role on Sunday but Killarney will still enter the game as favourites to take out their eighteenth win of the year. Chris Ackerley will be looking at his talented crop of youngsters to replace these influential players as well as hoping his more experienced players can step up and lead this side to victory. Killarney’s veteran striker Adam Woodbine still currently leads the goalscoring pack, despite failing to find the back of the net last weekend, as he sits alone at the top of the golden boot standings with 13 goals to his name. With two players hot on his tail, Woodbine will be hoping he can close out the last round of the year with even more goals to his name to be crowned the Golden Boot Winner. Will Avoca be the team to end the streak, or will Killarney make history come Sunday? Head down to Pluim Park to find out.
Chris Ackerley knows that despite their position on the ladder, Avoca is a well-balanced, young team who will be eager to end their streak come Sunday. “Expecting a tough game as Avoca will be hoping to end their season on a high by beating us. They are a good young side who with a bit of luck could have been in the semi-finals. If we can get a win this weekend it would be a great achievement as it’s the club’s 50thh year this year and would make it quite memorable, but the boys know that to achieve this, we have to turn up and prepare for a hard game as it won’t be easy.”
MATCH OFFICIAL – Luke Dunkerley
Southern Ettalong v Kariong
With the chance of avoiding relegation still there, Kariong will be looking to repeat last weekend’s 9-point Sunday as they travel to James Browne Oval and take on a Lions side desperate for a finals spot.
A win last weekend would have cemented Southern’s spot inside the top four and their latest run of form has seen the Lions side pick up five wins in their last seven games. However, Dale Eggleton’s side were favourites to pick up a win last weekend against Avoca but as they have done in recent times, failed to pick up the win against a side lower than them on the competition ladder. Luckily for the Lions, their foes Berkeley Vale also dropped points and Southern keep their spot in the fourth spot.
Southern will finish the regular season hosting Kariong at James Browne Oval as Dale Eggleton’s squad look to cement a spot in the finals in all three grades. Southern has only lost at home once this season and that was against the undefeated league champions Killarney, other than that loss, James Browne has served as a fortress for this side in 2022. Southern felt disappointed when they last met Kariong as they were defeated by the Cougars who finished the game with only 10 men. Southern will look to right their wrongs this Sunday and take full momentum into the finals with a win on home soil.
It was do or die for Kariong last weekend when they welcomed Woongarrah to Kariong Oval for the BPL match of the round. With relegation a possibility, a determined Kariong was able to record a win in all three grades to keep their 2023 BPL hopes still alive. Kariong will now need to repeat these performances in all grades if they wish to avoid relegation when the Cougars travel to James Browne Oval this Sunday.
The return of their head coach Ryan Finch last weekend seemed to boost this squad as they continue to fight to save their season. When Kariong last met Southern Ettalong, it was a historic day for the club as they recorded their first-ever BPL win. On that day, Kariong went a man down to come from behind and win 2-1. Kariong will be looking for a similar performance this weekend as they will leave nothing on the field come Sunday.
MATCH OFFICIAL – Anthony Kabbout
Wyoming v Berkeley Vale
Looking to guarantee their safety from relegation, a determined Wyoming side will be looking to pick up maximum points come Sunday against an underperforming Berkeley Vale squad.
Wyoming is currently 15 club championship points ahead of Kariong as the Tigers will be desperate to pick up enough club championship to secure safety from relegation. Last weekend Wyoming had the difficult challenge of travelling to Wadalba Sports Complex to take on finals-bound Kanwal. Looking to grab points in all three grades, Ian McAndrews’s squad walked away with 6 club championship points to their name after a fantastic 4-0 win in reserve grade. The Tigers almost picked up points in first grade but fell 1-0 to the Bulls in a close battle.
Wyoming will finish their year at their home ground Alan Davidson Oval when they battle against finals contenders Berkeley Vale. One of their biggest losses of the season came at the hands of Berkeley Vale when these two sides met earlier in the year. On that day at Chittaway Oval, the Tigers saw a 5-0 defeat but were able to pick up points in their two lower grades which they hope can achieve again come Sunday. Wyoming will have a lot of close eyes on Kariong’s results throughout Sunday but If they can take care of their own business and get the results needed, we will see Wyoming stay in BPL for the 2023 season.
Berkeley Vale missed out on a golden opportunity to sneak back into the top four after their Southern Ettalong also dropped points last weekend. The Wombats met the Entrance at Pluim Park last Sunday and after enjoying a 2-0 lead early in the match, Mark Pratt’s side went on to concede four straight goals. A late goal from their veteran Troy Mumford made for an exciting final minute of the game but the Wombats left it too late as they fell 4-3.
Now Berkeley Vale will be hoping Kariong can do them a favour and take points away from Southern Ettalong as the Wombats must win this weekend if they wish to possibly play finals football. For only the second time this season Berkeley Vale conceded more than three goals in a game as their usual strong defence struggled immensely. The Wombat’s problems at the other end of the field continue, despite scoring three goals, their attack could have doubled their scoreline but once again couldn’t make the most of their opportunities as they hope their luck can turn around this Sunday in possibly their last game of the year.
MATCH OFFICIAL – Trent Dickeson
Kanwal v Terrigal
After securing the second-place spot after their 1-0 win last Sunday, Kanwal will look to enter the finals series on a high when they face another finals competitor in Terrigal.
We will see a taste of finals football a week early when these two clubs clash this weekend. Having secured a finals spot in all three grades, Kanwal and Terrigal will be looking to take maximum momentum into next weekend’s 2022 BPL finals series. Kanwal is coming off a frustrating 1-0 win over Wyoming as coach Ryan Walker felt a tad annoyed after the game in their inability to finish their multiple chances throughout the ninety minutes against the Tigers.
However, despite only leaving their home ground with a 1-0 win, Kanwal secured second place on the competition ladder. Kanwal already boast a 1-0 victory over Terrigal when these sides met earlier in the year. These two teams could meet again in just a couple of weeks so Kanwal must keep their tremendous defence record intact as the Bull’s defence has only conceded 22 goals in all 17 fixtures, only the league champions have a better defence record. Kanwal will have the luxury of playing their final game of the regular season at home, however, their last home match saw them record their biggest defeat of the season so the Bulls will be adamant to right their wrongs come Sunday.
After the results last weekend, Terrigal was the third team to guarantee themselves a finals spot despite not picking up any points. The O’lads took on the unbeaten league leaders Killarney for the Ash Grant Cup and were unsuccessful in their attempts to be the first time to defeat the Terriers when they fell two goals to one. A late comeback attempt almost saw Martyn Griffiths sidewalk away with a draw, but time ran out for the boys in orange after they grabbed a late goal.
Terrigal now goes from taking on first place to taking on second as they travel to enemy territory this weekend. Terrigal would have felt extremely disappointed in the result the last time they met Kanwal as they dominated for long periods of the game but conceded late in the second half to go down 1-0. Although it looks unlikely, Terrigal striker Mahkye Brownlie will be looking to chase down the golden boot leader in the final match of the season as he prepares for the resilient Kanwal backline, anticipate another close match this Sunday as we get a sneak peek of Finals.
MATCH OFFICIAL – Mark Roberts
The Entrance v Woongarrah
Now safe from relegation after their 9-point Sunday last weekend, the Entrance will be looking to end their year on a win when they welcome recently relegated Woongarrah to Pat Morley Oval.
It was a day to remember for the Reddies last weekend as they entered the day in a relegation battle and finished their day with maximum points in all three grades, therefore guaranteeing themselves safe from demotion. That was the Entrance’s first 9-point Sunday this year and it couldn’t have come at a better time for the boys in red. But their win in first grade did not come easy as they found themselves 2-0 down early in the first half.
Ashton Hurley took it upon himself to get his side back into the game, winning a penalty, scoring two goals and setting up the other as the Entrance claimed a 4-3 win. Now the Entrance head back home to Pat Morley for their final fixture of the year and will celebrate their safety from relegation with their annual “Old boys day” this Sunday. The Entrance will look to end their year on an even bigger high if they can secure another 9-point Sunday against the recently relegated Woongarrah squad.
It was do or die for Woongarrah last weekend when they travelled to Kariong Oval to face another side fighting in the relegation battle. On the biggest day of their season, Luke Rogers’s side could not get the wins needed as they saw defeat in all three grades and as a result would be relegated back to Division 1 for the 2023 Season.
Woongarrah came up into the BPL competition in 2019 and was unstoppable in their first year in top-flight football as they made it all the way to the grand final. Woongarrah held a 2-0 lead over Killarney in the grand final and could have sealed the game when awarded a penalty. However, the penalty was saved giving Killarney the confidence to come back and win that game. As their coach stated last weekend after their loss, the Wildcats will now look to rebuild and regain promotion.
MATCH OFFICIAL – Preston Lorusso
