AHJSA Match Reports

League Round 1, 6th April 2019

U12 Grading

Rangers Junior Soccer Club (5) vs Mount Barker United Soccer Club Red (6)

Great game for the first game of the season with a Beau on fire with 4 goal.  Will in goal was exceptional and all 4 new players played well.  Lots of skill was shown and the communication was encouraging.  Looking forward to a good evenly matched season and lots of wins.

Hahndorf Soccer Club White (0) vs Stirling United Soccer Club (6*)

Hahndorf under 12s White played their first game together as a team at Aldgate Community Oval against Stirling United. We only had  ten players, and Stirling showed sportsmanship in allowing us to play 10 against 10. Despite it being apparent from the beginning that Stirling were the stronger team, Hahndorf under 12 whites never gave up.

Rielly Bowden took on the task of goal keeper and was fearless and denied the opposition many shots at goal. Julian Hack began the game as a forward but was quickly bought into the defensive line and impacted greatly by shutting down many attacks on the goal. Matthew Knight, Max Oliver and Joshua Verryt battled the defensive line against the unrelenting Stirling.  

Midfield was William Whiting, Logan Maxwell and Harry Mumford who supported the defence throughout the game and managed to break free and put pressure on the Stirling defence. They showed the skill and control of the ball by putting pressure on the Stirling attack.

Charlie Harvey and Lucus Leske supported both the defence and the midfield throughout the game. 

Big thanks to Jeremy Hack for taking on the role of the first game of the season. His calm and positive approach helped the boys stay focused and work hard throughout the whole game.

Stirling United Soccer Club (6*) vs Hahndorf Soccer Club White (0)

Hahndorf under 12s White played their first game together as a team at Aldgate Community Oval against Stirling United. We only had  ten players, and Stirling showed sportsmanship in allowing us to play 10 against 10. Despite it being apparent from the beginning that Stirling were the stronger team, Hahndorf under 12 whites never gave up.

Rielly Bowden took on the task of goal keeper and was fearless and denied the opposition many shots at goal. Julian Hack began the game as a forward but was quickly bought into the defensive line and impacted greatly by shutting down many attacks on the goal. Matthew Knight, Max Oliver and Joshua Verryt battled the defensive line against the unrelenting Stirling.  

Midfield was William Whiting, Logan Maxwell and Harry Mumford who supported the defence throughout the game and managed to break free and put pressure on the Stirling defence. They showed the skill and control of the ball by putting pressure on the Stirling attack.

Charlie Harvey and Lucus Leske supported both the defence and the midfield throughout the game. 

Big thanks to Jeremy Hack for taking on the role of the first game of the season. His calm and positive approach helped the boys stay focused and work hard throughout the whole game.

Torrens Valley Soccer Club (6*) vs Bridgewater Soccer Club (0)

The game was played in wonderful warm conditions and on a well-prepared pitch. Both teams started confidently with the Torrens Valley Rams moving the ball well across the defensive lines. As the ball moved forward the Rams Cooper Ward made opportunities and found a few openings in the Bridgewater defence that Aiden Williams took advantage of to take an early lead in the first half. 

Bridgewater’s goalkeeper worked hard through the second half and kept the score down as the Rams continued to move the ball effectively through midfielders Ben Kramer and Max Toholke and into the front line. The Rams defensive line was not tested in the second half with many breakaways being shut down by  Cooper Mugford and Samuel Jones, returning it to the forward line.

Both teams played in the spirit of the game and the next round will be a very interesting match up.

U14 Grading

Stirling United Soccer Club (7*) vs Mount Barker United Soccer Club Blue (1)

Everyone was keen to get out and play after a long offseason, and with fine autumn weather it was a great day to be out at Aldgate Oval. Stirling United U14, mostly made up of last years runner’s up U14 Blue and looking keen to go one better this year, got out of the blocks early with the opening goal of the season going to Araby Phelan. Further goals came in quick succession from Ky Henry, a long left foot shot from Toby Leigh and then one from Henry Monaghan which saw Stirling up by 4 after only 14 minutes. With Yuto Okada, Tom Harris and Akash Ghimire also getting on the score sheet, Stirling were comfortably placed at half time.

After the break, Mount Barker started to close up the space a little more, causing a few turnovers and mounting a number of attacks of their own, without managing to find the back of the net. Calen McCormick, released from keepers duties for the second half, then scored a hattrick over an 11 minute period to put the game beyond doubt. Phelan, Henry and Monaghan all completed hattricks of their own in the second half, and goals to Kye McDonald, Jo Doyle, Nick Smith and a superb shot into the top right corner from Teale Gates rounded out the scoring for Stirling, with a late goal from the talented Haidyn Ingram providing some consolation for the visitors. Also of note was the great effort from the Mount Barker keeper who made many good saves throughout the match.

Woodside Warriors Soccer Club Red (9) vs Torrens Valley Soccer Club (3)

Grading rounds are usually awkward. In short it's designed to separate a higher than usual number of teams into two divisions. It's spread over five rounds before the split happens. Whilst it is usually reserved for the U12 Competition, this year sees a high number of team submissions for the U14 competition. All up there are 14 teams involved and obviously they need grading. For the record there are two Woodside teams.

It's awkward as clubs will submit their preference for either division during the application process. For most clubs with two teams they'll submit a team into each division. Some may submit two into Division 2, whilst some others with one may opt for Division 1. Naturally we have submitted two teams, one for each division.

As it turns out the U14 Red team, nominated for the Division 1 competition, played against Torrens Valley, nominated for the Division 2 competition. The end result fell heavily in favour of the home team, being Woodside. Unfortunately the result was as expected.

For the first 10 minutes of the game all players on the park were quiet, reserved and almost visibly nervous. It was the first round of the season of course. New player CHRISTIAN FRANCIS opened up the scoreline on the 11th minute with a delightful assist from ex-Torrens player AILBHE BIFFEN. Christian Francis' goal will be one for a future memoir. First goal of the season, first goal for a new club, all in front of a sideline seemingly full of his own support crew.

Meanwhile top WWSC U14 scorer from last season, JETT TONKIN, with the waft of Christian Francis' success, lurked. A questionable trip from an opposition player sent him in for a penalty shot on the 21st minute, but it never eventuated. A few minutes later, with a long cross from Ailbhe Biffen to a waiting JOSH BEVAN, Jett Tonkin was assisted to score his first. He then followed it up 3 minutes later with another, again from an assist, this time Christian Francis.

JAMES WALL, not waiting for the spotlight to shine on him, sunk his first on the 26th minute. He was unlucky not to put in a few more before half time. Josh Bevan and TOMMAS BALACCO both managed to send the ball towards the keeper a few times before the referee blew his whistle for half time.

After numerous positional changes by Coach BRUCE TONKIN, Woodside returned to the pitch. Within two minutes of the second half James Wall had as many strikes at goal. An elated Josh Bevan was the first to score in the second half. Josh Bevan featured strongly as a defender in last year's U12 team, however this year, with a number of established defenders already sorted, he was required in the midfield and delivered to expectation.

With so many goals scored it was rewarding to see star keeper, IZEYAH RAYMOND, appear on the list, with not one but two goals. James Wall also managed to put through another before the final whistle.

Torrens Valley, under Coach DALE GREENWOOD, deserves credit for a much improved second half. With numerous saves by Woodside's JAYDEN STEWARD, more so in the second half, there was bound to be a mistake at some point, not by him, but a defensive line-up far too high for their own good. Three goals, between 58 and 63 minutes into the second, lifted the spirits of the away players and their supporters.

Torrens Valley will visit Hahndorf in Round 2 on Saturday, whilst Woodside welcomes Murray Bridge Blue.

U16

Stirling United Soccer Club (6*) vs Stirling Districts Soccer Club Blue (0)

A good crowd of parents and friends came out to watch the U16 local derby between Stirling United and Stirling District Blue.

From the start, United pressed hard and locked the ball in Districts half. A ball crossed in from the corner was met by centre back Joseph Doyle who slammed it into the net to open the scoring. More goals then came from Sam Bartlett, who was also creating opportunities for others with some lovely passes from his attacking midfield position, Kyle Fenlon and Nick Robinson which saw United go into the break with a comfortable lead.

After half time, the intensity of the game dropped slightly, but with 2 goals from new recruit Matthew Daly, as well as goals to Nick Robinson and returning player Tyson Reuter, United went on to secure the victory.

A highlight for District was the outstanding keeping of William Tinkler, who stopped many shots on target from finding the back of the net.

Stirling Districts Soccer Club Red (4) vs Woodside Warriors Soccer Club (2)

It's been a long time coming but it's so good to finally kick the season off. Woodside U16's came up against Stirling Districts in Round one of the season. It was a quick start and Stirling were pressing from the get go, Woodside held in for the first few minutes but eventually the pressure broke through and Stirling scored their first goal. It took a while for the boys to get used to each other and the difficulty of playing a well polished side in Stirling. 

Woodside had no answers for the first half and seemed to always be chasing for possession. The half Time score was 4-0 but we analysed where we needed to get better and looked good going into the second half. Until Malachi, a new goalkeeper in the team injured his knee to clear the ball. It was tough to watch but from that point on the boys put in everything they had and managed to begin building together really well. Richard went up front as a target man and eventually flicked on a perfect through ball to Braedyn who finished confidently. 

Our first goal of the season. Not long after Woodside scored another from a corner as Jake put the goal keeper under pressure and got his head on the ball first to score a second goal. The final result was 4-2 but there were glimpses of good play and definitely things to build on for next week. Should be a good season once the boys get used to each other and the wins will come. We all wish Malachi all the best with his recovery and hope he's back out there soon.

U13G

Woodside Warriors Soccer Club (6) vs Strathalbyn Strikers FC Inc (0)

Heading out for our first game today the girls and I were keen for some fun soccer!! I am absoulutely thrilled with the girls performance today...and winning was the icing on the cake! It was great to see every single girl get involved in the game, and it was clear to see that they were enjoying themselves. 

Scoring our first goal off a penalty from an unfortunate handball set the girls into gear and they followed up with two more goals within the next 10 minutes. The warrior girls continued to impress with strong passes and direct runs at goals resulting in 2 more goals before half time. 

During our break the girls were focussed on what they needed to improve and it was lovely to see open communication between them as they re-fuelled on oranges. 

With some changes made we entered the second half with our former defenders placed up front, giving all the girls an oportunity to have a run up front. 

Our former right back made a strong run at goals and scored a great goal in the first 15 minutes of the second half. At this point our opposition found an extra gear and came back fighting, throwing some suspense into the mix for our spectators. 

Our warriors held strong and managed to keep the opposition from scoring...finishing the game with a 6-0 win and a clean sheet for the start of the season!! Thankyou to all the parents for taking on duties and supporting the girls in their first game...very keen to see you all out next week. Well done girls!!!

Stirling Districts Soccer Club (6) vs Mount Barker United Soccer Club (0)

A one sided affair with Stirling dominating from the outset. Mount Barker showed great spirit and fought hard right to the end.

Hahndorf Soccer Club (2) vs Torrens Valley Soccer Club (2)

It was a warm and sunny afternoon when Hahndorf Under 13 Girls met with Torrens Valley. Torrens Valley started strongly, and Hahndorf’s starting defense of Cyra Filipowicz, Charlotte Daly and Ruby Tully worked hard to keep them out. After a quick transition in play, Hahndorf’s  Rose Elston finished off the slick play with a goal.

Players from both teams showed great skills in the even contest. Filipowicz was solid in defense, repeatedly denying opposition attacking runs. Hahndorf’s starting midfield players, Amiel Kerber, Erin Miller and Rebecca Abrahams, regularly transitioned the ball into attack, and on one occasion found Gracie Curtis space on the right wing. Curtis completed a clever cross to Elston, who’s shot was saved.

Mid way through the first half, Torrens Valley capitalized on a fast break, to equalize the score at 1 – 1. 

Charlotte Fairley was busy in the midfield, chasing down opposition players and moving the ball forward with good passing. Violet Elston performed very well under pressure in goals and made repeat saves to deny Torrens Valley. Late in the first half, R Elston again found the back of the net to give Hahndorf a 2-1 lead.

The contest remained close in the second half with players from both teams making attacking runs forward. Miller made regular runs down the wing, using her skill to keep possession of the ball. After some strong midfield play, Torrens Valley scored an equalizer.

Desperate defense, and ‘nearly’ moments in attack by both teams had the crowd on the edge of their seats. After a great contest, the game finished as a 2-All draw.

The Hahndorf Under 13 Girls wish to thank Torrens Valley for a great game.

U17G

Hahndorf Soccer Club (2) vs Torrens Valley Soccer Club (8*)

Hahndorf met Torrens Valley at home for the first game of the 2019 season.  Both teams started strongly, competing fiercely to gain the ball.  Torrens Valley attacked early and succeeded in kicking 2 goals within the first 15 minutes, using good speed and ball skills within a team that knows each other well. Hahndorf then rallied and after a good cross from Monique Bessen, Kiora Hemmings slotted the ball into the back of the net at the 20-minute mark. The game then continued to go to either end of the pitch with goalkeeper Gemma Doyle for Hahndorf making some great saves. Bessen made a beautiful run towards goal and received a penalty shot when she was fouled in the box. Unfortunately, Hahndorf could not convert this but was successful late in the half with another great long kick from Hemmings to even up the score. Just before the end of the half Torrens Valley broke through Hahndorf’s strong defensive line, enabling them to be  ahead at half time by the single goal. 

Play resumed after the half time break with Torrens now heading downhill. Although Matilda Shotton now in goals for Hahndorf did a great job, Torrens Valley scored consistently in the second half, with the team working together well across the pitch and a number of players for Torrens Valley scoring. Mikayla Witter top scored with 3 goals for the game. Ilana Biffin was in goals for Torrens Valley and also worked hard to prevent Hahndorf from scoring. Midfield and defensive players continued to battle, with Erin Peacock for Hahndorf often clearing the ball to send her side into attack once again. Three substitutes from the Hahndorf Under 13 team who were 10-12 years old were all put on the pitch by coach David Peacock and were able to contribute in an impressive way for their young age.  

Despite an even first half Torrens Valley were stronger in the second half and celebrated their win effusively at the end of the match.