MWFA

A Dave Burnage header deep into injury time has given Wakehurst a 2-1 win over local rival Belrose-Terrey Hills Raiders.
Wakehurst coach Paul Juergens said the Premier League fixture at Wyatt Reserve on Saturday was “a tough local derby” and said he felt for his opponent.

“It was a hard match and there were plenty of tired players at the end. We had a lot of possession and chances in the second half and deserved the goal that eventually came deep into injury time.
“Having lost our lead last week in the final minute [in the 4-4 draw with CC Strikers], we know how it felt for Belrose. They looked dangerous on the counter and were a tough opposition all day,” Jeurgens said.

BTH had their tails up after scoring mid-way through the first half before Wakehurst hit back in the 40th minute with a goal headed home by Ben Smith.
Juergens’ message at half-time was “keep the ball, stick our passes and to be patient”.

“Our defence, again, was solid. One improvement we could make is to play with intensity for 90 minutes.
“But overall I was very pleased. The most pleasing thing is the boys never gave up. It’s actually becoming a great habit! It’s a habit that coaches love,” Juergens said.

BTH and Wakehurst both turned out in orange socks in the match to promote awareness of the Black Dog Institute. For more information and to donate to the charity, check out Wakehurst’s Facebook page and BTH’s website.

In other games Narrabeen trounced Harbord 6-0, Brookvale knocked over Seaforth 4-0, Curl Curl were upset 3-0 by resurgent Pittwater RSL, Mosman got home against Manly Vale 3-2 and Collaroy Cromer Strikers re-asserted their dominance of the MWFA Premier League ladder by putting paid to St Augustine’s 5-1.

Adam Israel takes losing personally. The Pittwater coach is a heart on the proverbial sleeve man, and his Premier League team performs poorly, he’s not a man to mince words. Which for his players, who head to Abbott Road to take on second-placed Curl Curl FC on Saturday, should actually prove something of a comfort.

“We’ve been hot and cold,” Israel said. “But the last two weeks our effort, commitment and willingness to work hard has been better than what it has been.

“My view in this competition is that you have to work harder than the opposition before you can consider anything else. You have to earn it. And the last few weeks we’ve done that came out on top.

“Last week was good [4-1 over Manly Vale] and the week before that, the Narrabeen game was the happiest I’ve ever been after a draw.”

On the other side of the ledger Israel said his team’s been inconsistent, gone way from game plans and committed errors that led to goals.

“When we go away from our game play it causes problems. And we’ve made some costly errors that led directly to goals and ultimately cost us games. We know people will make mistakes. We’re trying to minimise them and avoid them because they’ve killed us; mistakes that led to goals.”

And so to Abbott Road and the challenge of high-flying Curl Curl at home. Israel said he’s been around a while and knows what most teams have. He said that what Curl Curl has is impressive.

“We had them in round one and it was clear then they recruited strongly with a number of players from outside the MWFA. They’re a big, strong and talented team across the board and they’re coached by an experienced and strong coach [Anthony Seminara]. So you ask what we’re expecting – a big, strong, physical, well-coached team!” Israel said.

Israel said that Josh Yates has been his team’s best player across 11 rounds but is under an injury cloud. But club captain Mitch Macedo played his first minutes since round two – scored one and set one up.

“And another one I’d mention is Chris Riley, a Kiwi, who’s been excellent for us. He’s a midfielder and we’ve got him at right back. He’s been from great from set piece, his delivery. He’s been really positive for us,” Israel said.

In other games Collaroy Cromer Strikers play Saint Augustine’s, Manly Vale hosts Mosman, Belrose-Terrey Hills Raiders take on Wakehurst, Narrabeen plays Harbord and Brookvale takes on Seaforth.

By Matt Cleary

Wakehurst was leading CC Strikers 4-3 deep in injury time at Lionel Watts Oval on Saturday when Wakehurst’s goal-keeper conceded a penalty, while in possession.

Strikers striker Stef Foti duly converted to ice a game that Strikers coach Ryan Butcher described as “freakish”.

“I have never seen a game end like that. The Wakehurst keeper – who was in possession of the ball – fouled our player and Stef scored from the spot. It was a freak moment.

“We were fortunate to get a point. Wakehurst deserved to win,” Butcher said.

Wakehurst coach Paul Juergens agreed. “On balance I believe we deserved the win and I couldn’t be prouder of the determination, teamwork and belief the boys displayed. We played some great football on Saturday. Sometimes it doesn’t fall your way – that’s football,” Juergens said.

Strikers opened the scoring after 15 minutes before Wakehurst responded to lead 2-1 at half time. Strikers scored from a corner to level the scores in the 60th minute. Wakehurst went ahead 3-2 (70th minute), Strikers levelled again from a free kick (80th) before Wakehurst made it 4-3 in the 88th minute.

Juergens said his team “moved as one around the park, connected with each other, closed down quickly and provided options for their teammates on the ball”.

“We had four goals scored against us – two corners , one free kick and a penalty. So defending against the set piece is an obvious area of improvement.

“But all our players were excellent, it would be unfair to single anyone out. But special mention to young Gus Chipman who must’ve run half a marathon on the day.

“Overall I’m pleased with the effort against a very good team. CC Strikers are well coached and deserve to be where they are on the table. And we’ve shown over the last few weeks we should be higher up the table,” Juergens said.

Butcher agreed. “Wakehurst look to be flying and will be a handful in the second half of the season. They’re a very dangerous and hungry squad,” Butcher said.

Butcher didn’t nominate any of his team as standouts. “Although I thought our subs in the second half, Stef Foti and Sam Webber helped drive the energy of the team. Will Martin and Michael Morrison were good from the starting side. Aside from that, I don’t think we were allowed to hit our straps.

“While I was proud that we fought back three times and never gave up, it was not a good performance from the side. The truth is Wakehurst were excellent and dominated large portions of the game.

“Early in the year we were on the wrong end of a freakish result [a 3-2 loss to Curl Curl] and I think the tables turned in our favour on Saturday. Wakehurst deserved to win. But to win a competition you need some luck and we got that,” Butcher said.

In other games Pittwater RSL beat Manly Vale 4-1, Curl Curl got over Seaforth 3-0, BTH Raiders went down 3-0 to Brookvale, Narrabeen and Mosman had an entertaining 3-3 draw while Saint Augustine’s crushed Harbord 4-0.

By Matt Cleary

After a bright start to the season in which they were running second behind powerful CC Strikers, Mosman has slumped to sixth on the MWFA Premier League ladder following three consecutive losses.
Mosman coach Luke Tinker told MWFA Media he would prefer not to say too much ahead of this week’s match with Narrabeen at Narrabeen High. And then he did anyway.
“All I will say is that we’ve lost three in a row after a really strong start. (In the then top-of-the-table clash) CC strikers were the better team on the day and deserved the points. But to be 1-nil up with 15 minutes to go against Wakehurst and 2-1 up and looking comfortable against Saints last week, also with fifteen to go – and to lose both games and drop 6 points we are of course disappointed.
“But you learn and move on. We have an honest, resilient and hard-working group of players. And I believe in every single one of them. We had a fantastic (4-1) result Tuesday night in the Challenge Cup versus Curly (at Abbott Road) with a mix of first grade and reserve players. So we take confidence from that performance into Saturday,” Tinker said.
Tinker said the club “is in a terrible position injury-wise” and that “sometimes you need a little bit of luck”.
“But some of our younger, reserve grade players – James Mulder, Seb Bellew, Pieter Bas Dalebout, Rory Martin – have been stepping up to first grade and been outstanding,” Tinker said.
Asked about his opponents on Saturday, Tinker admitted he didn’t know a lot.
“I do know Narrabeen have a strong squad and are always competitive in both grades. But all I can go off is our games last season and we picked up six points over two matches. So we are hoping we can repeat that Saturday,” Tinker said.
Narrabeen is also welcoming players back from injury and suspension and is also buoyed by a win in the MWFA Cup on Tuesday night; in their case 2-0 over Seaforth at Seaforth Oval.
“As a squad everyone has been training well and performing,” Narrabeen coach Ross Talarico said. “That was shown on Tuesday night when we had quite a few players from the Ressies making their 1st grade debuts.
“We are slowly getting players back from injuries and suspensions, they’ve crippled us in the last few weeks. We’re not yet at full strength but it will be good to have a face or two back.”
Talarico admitted his side’s form over the last month has been patchy with glimmers of sunshine. “We’ve been okay, not great,” he said. “We know what we can produce on the field. It’s a matter of giving it the polish it deserves come game day.
“We’re in for a big game against Mosman who boast a strong backline with James Bell, a midfielder in Finn Mack who plugs the holes and Jordan Perkins who creates chances in the top third. I expect they’ll hit us on counter-attack.
“But in the end all we can do is turn up and be ready for battle. We know where we want to be at season’s end and these upcoming matches are crucial to achieving those goals at the end of the season.”

In other games Curl Curl hosts Seaforth at Abbott Road BTH Raiders take on Brookvale at Wyatt Reserve, Saint Augustine’s play Harbord at Grahams Reserve while Wakehurst takes on top-of-the-table CC Strikers at Lionel Watts.

By Matt Cleary