Chris Curulli

After a crazy few weeks of unpredictable results, the MWFA Premier League Women’s title is still up for grabs heading into the final round of the regular season.

 Mosman remain remarkably undefeated for the season, however passed up a chance at securing top spot when they drew with bottom-placed Brookvale last weekend.

Fortunately for James Spyrakis’ side, their challenger Manly Vale also slipped up in a 2-1 defeat to Seaforth which saw the gap at the top of the table extend to three points.

The result also brought Seaforth into calculations just two points off second, meaning another Vale slip-up could see them finish outside of the top two that they have occupied for so long.

The side from David Thomas will be desperate to avoid that fate when they travel to face Brookvale at Grahams on Sunday.

Especially considering last week’s result, Vale captain Ali Warman is wary of the threat Michael Cimino’s young side pose.

“You can never discount Brookvale they’ve always been tough competitors,” she said.

“So, we’re not going to pretend they’re going to be a rollover. Like everyone I think they’ve lost a few players and had some injuries this year but they’re coming good at the right time.

“We’re just going to play the way we normally play and play our best and hopefully we’ll come up with a win against them.

“These last few weeks we’ve had a few ups and downs but we’re still pretty positive and we’re in a very good position heading towards the end of the season.”

Whatever unfolds, the Vale skipper is pleased with how her side have dealt with a challenging year.

“We’re pretty proud of all of the whole squad and how we’ve gone this year,” Warman said.

“Hopefully that some results might go on our way and we might be top in the end but all we can do is just focus on our game this weekend and get the three points.”

Elsewhere, Mosman can wrap up the title with a point away to Manly Allambie, Wakehurst take on Pittwater and Seaforth clash with Beacon Hill.

Brookvale may have locked up top spot but almost every other league position is still up for grabs ahead of the MWFA Premier League Men’s final round in two weeks time.

 Two sides who will be looking to bag a valuable three points this weekend are Wakehurst and CC Strikers who meet at Lionel Watts on Saturday.

The hosts have experienced a mixed first season under coach Frank Chiarella and sit in the centre of a highly congested mid-table on 18 points. A win on Saturday could take them as high as fifth.

Ryan Butcher’s side on the other hand are now undefeated in seven matches and have shot up the ladder into third spot, just three points off Pittwater in second.

While finishing in the top two would take a significant Manly Vale upset over Pitts and six-point swing in goal difference, Strikers are eager to finish off the season strong.

“The thing missing earlier on in the year was a consistent run of form and results and we’ve been able to find that since losing to Brookie in round 6,” Butcher said.

“We find ourselves in with a shot (albeit a remote one) at a top 2 spot so we need to beat Wakehurst this weekend then have Manly Vale do us a big favour against Pitts to be a chance.

“Wakehurst have had a solid run of form over the last couple of months and are always competitive so I’m expecting a really tough contest.

“Reserves are also top of the league on goals scored, so it’s a huge weekend for the squad and we are looking forward to it.”

The reserve grade competition is highly contested up top with Strikers level with Mosman with on top with 31 points, currently leading on goal difference. Narrabeen are also waiting in the wings on 28 points, ready to pounce on any slip-ups.

In other matches, Brookvale take on Seaforth, Curl Curl clash with St Augustines, BTH meet Mosman, Harbord host Narrabeen and Manly Vale visit Pittwater.

Mosman passed up a chance to secure the Premier League title after drawing 0-0 with Brookvale on Sunday.

 Remarkably, the result still saw them extend their lead on top of the ladder to three points as their nearest contender Manly Vale also slipped up.

While they entered the contest as short-priced favourites, the undefeated Wales struggled to break down a determined Brookvale outfit.

However their coach James Spyrakis could not fault the effort of his side.

“It was just sloppy from the very start,” he said.

“I don’t think any of the two teams had real control of the ball – it was a lot of end to end stuff just from centre back to centre back.

“Maybe the wind played a bit of a part and obviously the heavy rain from the morning made the pitch real sloppy so for us as well.

“Both teams gave 100% the whole time, that’s probably why today was a draw – I think just neither team could find control.”

Manly Vale’s 2-1 defeat to Seaforth meant that the race for top spot will go right down to the wire next weekend.

Over at Melwood, Manly Allambie enjoyed a tight 1-0 win over Wakehurst.

Pittwater’s clash with Beacon Hill was unfortunately washed out.

Pittwater left it late to snatch a point in their 1-1 draw with Seaforth on Saturday afternoon.

In another action-packed weekend of Premier League action, the result allowed for Brookvale to seal another league title after they enjoyed a comfortable victory at Narrabeen.

In a tight first half at Seaforth Oval, the visitors had a golden opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot.

However young goalkeeper Nick Kayik stood tall for the hosts to save the spot kick and keep the contest level heading into the second half.

Seaforth then managed to break the deadlock as another youngster Ned Hamadache found the back of the net on his first grade starting debut.

But they were ultimately unable to close out the contest as Pittwater were awarded another penalty inside the final ten minutes, and this time Nick Maplestone made no mistake slotting home the equaliser.

Post-game, Seaforth coach Jordan Lefebvre was content with the outcome.

“Considering the way the game went and the injuries suffered by both sides early on it was a good contest both ways,” he said.

“With the players that we had out, some more young boys played and it was a good learning curve against the good side.

“For us we just want to finish this season on a good note, we’ve given these boys a chance and they’re taking them, even keeping some senior boys out of the team which is awesome.

“Brookie next week will be another good test and we look forward to the playoff after that too.”

As mentioned, a 5-1 victory over Narrabeen saw Seaforth’s next opponents Brookvale secure the league title with a week to spare.

In other results, Curl Curl and CC Strikers continue to breathe down Pittwater’s neck with 2-1 and 4-0 wins over Wakehurst and Belrose-Terry Hills respectively.

Elsewhere, Saints came away with a 5-3 win over Harbord who will now definitely be finishing the season in bottom spot after Manly Vale enjoyed a tight 1-0 victory over Mosman.

With both sides enduring two weekends without a victory, Seaforth and Pittwater will be eager to return to winning ways when they lock horns at Seaforth Oval on Saturday.

Despite their recent dip in form, Pittwater still sit in second place, three points off ladder leaders Brookvale.

Seaforth on the other hand are currently seventh, having played one less game than their nearest competitors.

They currently sit on 17 points in the middle of an incredibly congested pack, where only three points separate 3^rd and 9^th spot on the table.

Seaforth skipper Aaron Roberts is confident his side can rise to the challenges ahead during the season’s final three rounds.

“We know we’ve been inconsistent throughout the year as we’ve looked to blood along a lot of youngsters into the Premier League, but certainly we’re trying to find that consistency heading into the final rounds,” he said.

“We know we have the quality to compete with the best in the competition it’s just about us putting those results together.

“We know Pittwater are going to be tough, fit and physical and we’ve got to be ready for that battle but it’s one we certainly always look forward to.

“We’ve had a lot of injuries this year however I have full confidence in our team and our coaches and what we do that we’ll be able to beat Pitts.”

In other games, Curl Curl host Wakehurst, BTH visit Strikers, St Augustines clash with Harbord, Manly Vale meet Mosman, Pittwater travel to Seaforth and ladder leaders Brookvale take on Narrabeen.

Beacon Hill made it four games on the bounce without defeat after snatching a 2-2 draw with Manly Vale at David Thomas on Sunday.

 In a topsy-turvy contest, both sides traded blows throughout the match before coming away with a share of the spoils.

Manly Vale went into the break with a 2-1 advantage in a half dominated by set pieces, with both sides scoring off corners before the hosts were granted an opportunity to find their second from the penalty spot.

However Vince Vescio’s side continued to push and eventually found a way back into the contest midway through the second half, allowing them to come away with a hard-fought point.

The result denied Vale a chance to go back to top spot after Mosman dropped points away to Seaforth.

It also saw Beacon rise from the foot of the ladder for the first time all season.

Their captain Annelise Allan, who scored Beacon’s first goal of the day and her sixth of the season, was pleased with the outcome.

“In the end we were actually pretty happy with the result,” the defender said.

“It was a too-and-fro, up and down the pitch kind of game. We usually lift against Manly Vale and they do too, so it’s always a good game against them.

“Luckily today we had our whole squad back which was amazing to see. We’re just starting to tick boxes and walk away with a smile on our face which is great.”

In other games Mosman drew 1-1 with Seaforth, Manly Allambie defeated Pittwater 5-0 and Wakehurst edged past Brookvale 1-0.

An injury-ravaged Curl Curl returned to winning ways with a 3-0 victory over Harbord at Abbott Road on Saturday.

Goals to Damian Scifo, Matt Cooper and a long-range stunner from Alex Hatzi secured Anthony Seminara’s side a valuable three points after a difficult few weeks.

The Curl Curl boss was pleased with how his side performed considering their current circumstances.

“Never in my years of being a coach have I ever experienced so many injuries,” he said.

“So for the boys to step up and get a result with the amount of players we have out it was good to see.

“It wasn’t as easy as the scoreline suggested. I’d like to complement Harbord and their coach Paul (Mulligan) for how they about their business – they’re a better side than where the competition ladder puts them.

“They battled hard and we had to work really hard for the win.”

Curl Curl famously tasted victory in the Grand Final last season after scraping into the finals in fourth spot.

This season, they will need to leapfrog the likes of Pittwater, Strikers and Seaforth into second if they are to have a shot at defending their crown.

“I’m not trying to be cliché but all we can do is win and see what happens,” Seminara said.

“We don’t look for excuses when we don’t win, we look for reasons to win.

“We just want to go about our business and while we keep winning it should keep us there or thereabouts; that’s all we can do at the moment.

“While there’s a chance, we’ll keep fighting.”

In other results, Pittwater slipped up again in a 1-1 draw with Narrabeen, allowing for Brookvale to extend their lead on the summit after a 1-0 victory over Saints.

A Sam Webber hat-trick saw CC Strikers recover a 2-0 deficit to stun Manly Vale 3-2, while Mosman defeated Seaforth 2-0 and Wakehurst accounted for local rivals BTH 4-2.