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Women's MWFA Premier League round seven preview

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SEAFORTH coach Ash Mathieson insists revenge isn’t on his mind when his team take on Manly Allambie this Sunday.

The two squads played each other last weekend at Millers Reserve, with the hosts winning a thriller 5-3.

Mathieson isn’t the type of man to stew on results, focusing on the next game as soon as possible.

“Good luck to them (Manly Allambie), they took their chances in what was an evenly matched game,” he said.

“I thought when we went 3-2 up we had it in the bag, but it wasn’t to be.

“It is a long season, 21 rounds before semis, so I’m not worried yet.

“At home we will look to take the game to them.”

Elsewhere, Manly Vale play Wakehurst and Beacon Hill entertain Brookvale.

Forest Killarney have the weekend off with Avalon playing in the quarter-finals of the State Cup.

Hannah Bromley’s ladies do battle with the Reds on Tuesday night at Melwood Oval.

 

 

MWFA Premier League round 7 preview

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NARRABEEN coach Ross Talarico has declared Saturday’s away clash versus Manly Vale is a “six point game.”

Both squads have struggled this year, with just a point between them after six rounds.

A victory this weekend would be massive for either team, who are staring relegation in the face.

“It is a huge game, no doubt about that,” Talarico said ahead of the encounter at David Thomas Reserve.

“We are down on numbers but we know how valuable a win could be.

“I’m confident we will pick up plenty of points over the next few weeks, but we will definitely take three (points)this weekend if we are good enough.”

Talarico added his team have copped plenty of soft goals due to nave defending.

“Inexperience has played a part, but we are also switching off at crucial times,” he said.

“Morale is still good though, the boys are upbeat.”

Elsewhere, CC Strikers play Dee Why at Cromer Park on Friday night from 7.30pm, Wakehurst host Pittwater RSL FC, St Augustine’s line up against Seaforth and Mosman entertain Brookvale.

Women's MWFA Challenge Cup final – review

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AVALON left Manly Vale seeing red after winning the MWFA Challenge Cup final 1-0 on Tuesday night.

Alice Kirby scored the winner in the first half at Cromer Park, securing yet another major trophy for Larry Bates’ team.

“It was a very tough game, a typical Cup final,” Bates said.

“I was worried they (Manly Vale) were going to score late to send it into extra time.

“Any coach will tell you a one goal lead is nerve wracking, but thankfully we held on, I thought we were terrific when defending in numbers.

“The girls adapt well, they listen to how I want to play when it comes to structure.

“Our focus over the next few weeks is doing well in the State Cup and rising up the ladder in the league – after our slow start (five successive defeats) we have a mountain to climb.

“In saying that, we won’t give up and any trophy is nice to win, I’m happy for the girls.”

Tuesday night’s triumph was the third successive year Avalon have hoisted the MWFA Challenge Cup silverware.

MWFA women's Premier League round six review

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A BRILLIANT hat-trick from Ellen Wheatley saw Manly Allambie beat Seaforth 5-3 on Sunday at Millers Reserve.

Tess Olsen scored a double for the hosts, in a performance which lifted the heart rate of coach Kyle Cannon.

“It was a crazy game, both teams love to attack and goals followed,” he said.

“Conditions were tough for both teams, it was wild English weather.

“I thought we started well and deserved an early goal, but then fell away from our game plan and Seaforth actually went 3-2 up.

“Thankfully we tend to play our best football when behind, so in the end it was pleasing to get the result.”

Wheatley’s strike to give Manly Allambie a 4-3 lead in the second half will take some beating for goal of the year.

The ex Manly United midfielder rifled home a free kick from 30 yards which never looked like missing.

Elsewhere, Avalon finally clicked into gear, shocking Beacon Hill 2-0 and Wakehurst outgunned Forest Killarney 5-1.

Brookvale and Manly Vale had the bye.

MWFA Premier League round six review

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DEE Why were in a ruthless mood on Saturday afternoon, outclassing St Augustine’s 7-3.

It was the Swans’ first game of the season on home soil at Dee Why Oval, and they entertained from the kick-off.

Jake Harris (3), Tommy Marshall (2), Dan Johns and Matt Cooper all found the back of the net in what was an emphatic attacking performance.

“We got into our stride early and then went on with it,” Cooper said.

“To be honest we over-ran them, we wanted it more.

“It was also nice to finally play at home….the lads were keen for a big performance.”

Other games saw Pittwater RSL FC take the competition lead after thrashing Manly Vale 4-0, CC Strikers and Brookvale finished all square at 1-1, Seaforth thumped Wakehurst 5-0 and Mosman stayed in the top four after dusting Narrabeen 2-1.

MWFA profile: Ash Mathieson

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ASH Mathieson’s passion for football coaching cannot be questioned.

He loves barking instructions so much from the sideline he runs two squads – Beacon Hill’s AL/1s men’s as well as Seaforth’s Premier League ladies team.

“It is time consuming,but I love the game,” the 43-year-old said.

“Beacon Hill approached me a couple of years ago to coach their AL/1s squad and I was happy to do it….starting a team from scratch with no so called ‘big names’ was right up my alley.

“We struggled with results last year on the pitch, but to be sitting out of the top four at the moment on goal difference is something I’m very proud of.

“I pride myself on bringing the best out of people – that is what coaching is all about.”

Seaforth are also having a big year in the ladies Premier League competition, but when you delve into Mathieson’s coaching background, it is hardly a surprise.

He has previously coached at representative level with Manly United and also been at the helm with St Augustine’s in the MWFA Premier League.

Recently the teacher at Northern Beaches Secondary College headed to Japan with the under-16s Australian Schoolboys team and also is heavily involved in a handful of different sports at Sydney North level.

“I’m an educator by trade, I love seeing people prosper from all walks of life,” Mathieson said.

“At the moment I give myself Monday off, but Tuesday-Thursday I’m running sessions then Friday I sit down and work out my teams for the weekend.

“Every Saturday and Sunday I’m on the sideline from 11.45am until 5.30pm, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Away from football, Mathieson, who seems to know everyone on the northern beaches, is an avid fan of the Bulldogs in the NRL.

MWFA ladies Premier League round six preview

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EMOTIONS will be high at Millers Reserve on Sunday afternoon when Manly Allambie tackle Seaforth.

It is a fixture both squads circled in the calendar the moment the draw was formally released in March.

Manly Allambie striker Tess Olsen, who scored a hat-trick last weekend against Avalon, labelled it the ‘match of the season.’

“Oh it is definitely a grudge match,” she said.

“Quite a few of our players left Seaforth in the off-season, they will be out with a point to prove.

“Our coach (Kyle Cannon) also was coaching at Seaforth last year, I know he really wants to win this one.

“Everyone is looking forward to it, big time.”

Elsewhere, win less Avalon host Beacon Hill at Careel Bay and Wakehurst entertain Forest Killarney.

Brookvale and Manly Vale have the bye.

 

MWFA Premier League round six preview

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BROOKVALE coach Simon Euers has heaped praise on league leaders CC Strikers, declaring their start to the 2018 season ‘very impressive.’

The teams meet at Graham Reserve this Saturday in what promises to be an enthralling spectacle.

“They (CC Strikers)are still unbeaten, credit to them,” Euers said.

“Clearly they have built on how they finished last year – we need to meet their standards this weekend.

“I thought we regrouped well to beat Saints last start after the Wakehurst defeat, we are creating plenty of chances.

“Everyone has bought into what we are trying to collectively achieve, which is great.

“Johnny Hall in particular is impressing me, he is playing out of his skin at the moment.”

Other games see Seaforth tackle Wakehurst on Friday night at Cromer Park (kick-off 7.30pm), Dee Why are at home versus St Augustine’s, Manly Vale face a tough ask on the road against Pittwater RSL FC and Narrabeen host Mosman.

 

MWFA Premier League women's round five review

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A TESS Olsen hat-trick saw Manly Allambie beat a shell-shocked Avalon 5-2 on Sunday.

The Reds were on song early, jumping out to a two goal lead at Kitchener Park.

Kyle Cannon’s ladies didn’t panic, and found the back of the net before the break.

“At halftime I gave the girls a bit ofa rocket, our urgency and intensity wasn’t good enough,” the Manly Allambie coach said.

“The response was terrific, the second 45 minutes was undoubtedly our best football of the season.

“What pleased me most was when we went 3-2 up we didn’t sit back, we kept attacking and got a couple more goals.”

Emma Monks and Sarah Hopkinson were Manly Allambie’s other goal scorers.

Elsewhere, Beacon Hill and Wakehurst shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw, Seaforth and Brookvale finished all square at 1-1 and Manly Vale impressed in a 4-0 win over Forest Killarney.