Killarney vs Kincumber
Despite joint-leaders Berkeley Vale and Wyoming both being stretched to the limit, all five matches in round 7 of the Central Coast Men’s Premier League went according to script with each of the top five teams defeating their bottom five opponents and so opening up a seven-point gap between fifth and sixth places.
All teams have now played seven matches with the three-times deferred round one match between East Gosford and The Entrance finally being played on Wednesday, May21.The East Gosford Rams looked set for their second win of the season when they led 1-0 early in the second half and with The Entrance Sea Eagles down to 10 men before slumping to go down 2-1. In the clash between Gosford City and Berkeley Vale, Gosford City’s frustrating run of narrow losses continued after a late goal by Brenton Olzomer gave Berkeley Vale a 3-2 win in their match at Gavenlock Oval.
It was the second time in three matches that the Dragons had been unluckily beaten by a top-three team after going down to Wyoming in similar fashion. Goals early in each half to Ryan Hoare and Ian McAndrew gave the home team a 2-0 lead before a crucial penalty from Mitchell Pont swung the momentum Berkeley Vale’s way. Sam Feaver’s fourth goal in the past four matches equalised before Olzomer’s 87th minute clincher. The young Budgewoi team gave joint leaders, Wyoming, a similar fright in their match at Alan Davidson Park, leading at half-time before going down 2-1.
The northerners are in a rebuilding phase following their early-season trouble and put in a gutsy performance against the defending premiers. Troy Runge gave Budgewoi the lead in the30th minute before second half goals to Benji Gossonand Michael Payne allowed Wyoming to maintain its unbeaten start to the season and stay locked with Berkeley Vale at the top of the competition table. Killarney District’s match against Kincumber at EDSACC followed the same pattern with the underdogs taking an early lead through Aaron Beehag.
However, a hat-trick to Jared Reed ensured that Killarney avoided the same pressure as Berkeley Vale and Wyoming, the league champions eventually winning 4-1 with Tim Knight’s third goal in two matches sealing the victory The win keeps Killarney a point behind Berkeley Vale and Wyoming while Kincumber remains winless and in ninth place in what could be looming as a tight relegation battle. Daniel Sotelo’s second goal of the season was enough to give Umina a crucial 1-0 win over East Gosford in their match at Hylton Moore Park.
It was the Rams third loss in seven days after going down to The Entrance midweek and after such a positive start to the season which saw them narrowly beaten in the Central Coast Cup they have just one Premier League win to date. Both teams finished with 10 men after second halfs end-offs. The Entrance follow edon from their impressive midweek win over East Gosford with a comfortable4-0 victory over Ourimba hat Ourimbah Oval. The Sea Eagles scored twice in each half with a double to Glenn Watkins and one to the in-form Brad Blackman.
Player/coach Matt Page claimed the final goal despite the objections of teammates anxious to keep him in “nudie run” contention. The win keeps The Entrance in fourth place just three points off the lead and sets the scene for next Sunday’s Match of the Round against Wyoming at Pat Morley Oval.
Media release,
26 May 2014
Alistair Kennedy, Central
Coast Football