AHJSA Match Reports

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Fantastic effort by Mt Barker with some changes with players pushing forward.  Plenty of goals scored and great support from the midfielders.

Inclement but mercifully dry skies welcomed players and spectators alike as they filed into the Warriors Fortress at Woodside Sports Reserve. The first match of the day saw Warriors U14 Blue hosting Murray Bridge Blue.

It was a chilly morning and the chill seamed to have permeated the Warriors legs as they slid sluggishly out of the blocks. There was no such trouble for the Bridge Boys (they apparently had their heaters on for the long drive up) as they sprang into action on the ref’s whistle. And it wasn’t long before they were hard on attack and threatening to ruffle the net. In the Hills Under 12 league, you can rely on the opposition missing the odd easy shot, or hesitating long enough for you to close them down. But for this years Under 14s, those days are gone... Blink and it’s all over. Bridge proved this as their striker was afforded space and time close to the onion bag. He controlled the ball, sized up his options and placed a gentle, but beautiful chip over the keeper's head. One – nil Murray Bridge. Then the penny dropped for the Warriors. It was Saturday morning, and that means soccer. Wake up. Warm up. And play! Now the game became a surging and see-sawing tussle between two evenly matched teams. Both created opportunities. Both defended doggedly. And eventually it was the Woodside striker who was served up a clean opportunity in front of goal. No hesitation from him either. He didn’t have space or time. But he didn’t need it. He controlled the ball and drove it neatly past the keeper. One all. Game On!

The second half was also an even contest. Bridge were creating a few more chances but Woodside were hanging in there, working hard to repel the omnipresent threat that challenged their nest. But it was from this threat that they were able to create. Their defence took control of the ball just outside the box and transferred possession to the mid-field. The midfielder turned to surge forward, but was met by the ever-organised Bridge defensive line. With no-one in front and no better options wide, he pushed the ball though the line, chased, and regained possession. Then a tussle began between two players who craved the ball equally. Shoulder to shoulder they fought for possession. As the ball entered the box, more yellow shirts flooded back to aid their compatriot... the goalie surged off his line with intent... the lone Warrior found a short-touch off his left, the goalie slid, the defence closed and a red right sock drove cleanly at the ball, directing it into the only open fragment of net. Warriors 2 – Bridge 1, ample time left for anything to happen.  It’s hard to say what happened in the next few minutes. But whether it was Bridge who lifted or Woodside resting on their laurels, the lads from down the river put two quick ones into the onion bag to reclaim the lead. It was devastation for the home crowd, but elation for the visitors! The clock said Woodside were still a chance, and the boys in Red and Blue agreed. They defended, rebounded, surged and strived. But Bridge had the answers and they finished the game for a well deserved 3 – 2 win. 

Goals Mount Barker - Max Chapman

Best Mount Barker - (1st) Glenn Fisher, (2nd) Ryan Steven's, (3rd) William Robb.

 

Goals Woodside -Ailbhe Biffin, Toby Vincent.

In the fifth and final grading round of the season, Woodside U14 Red welcomed visitors Mount Barker Red. With four wins under their belt the home side was feeling nervous about maintaining their top position on the ladder. Despite Woodside’s valiant efforts over the previous rounds, and a glitch in how the ladder is determined, the true ladder leading title belongs to Stirling United, who surpassed Woodside’s goal difference after the first round. Regardless, Woodside’s scalp would be a lovely memento for any team taking them on, and Mount Barker had their eye on it.

Mount Barker’s Coach, Dan Hamilton, brought a full suite of players, including substitutes, whilst Woodside’s Coach, BRUCE TONKIN, supplied the same. A similar supporter count for both teams filled the sides, whilst the two teams warmed up, awaiting the sounding of the referee’s whistle. The game was finally marked underway at around 10:40am.

Mount Barker Red took control of the game from kick-off, keeping possession of the the ball for 80% of the first 10 minutes. With numerous strikes at goal, a couple rebounding off the cross bar, it was surprising that they didn’t score first. A beautifully timed run and cross by JETT TONKIN allowed AILBHE BIFFEN to hit the back of net behind a keeper who seemingly didn’t know he was there.

One goal wasn’t enough for the home to feel comfortable. Neither was it too much for the away team to feel uncomfortable. After continuing control of the play Mount Barker Red finally caught up with a nifty goal from Max Chapman, much to the delight of his coach and supporters.

Another ten minutes played out before the referee declared half time. After some refreshments, and a couple of positional changes and substitutions made by both coaches, the game continued.

Ten minutes into the second half TOBY VINCENT had a superb run down the left side of the pitch. Toby, with no one presenting as a viable passing option, held control of the ball for an extended amount of time, passing numerous opponents in his run towards goal. If he was to score it’d be very deserving – and this is precisely what he did, adding a second goal to the home team’s tally.

Woodside, one goal in front with 10 minutes to go, then went into defensive mode, placing the largest and strongest players along the back to protect keeper JAYDEN STEWARD from any last minute assaults. Mount Barker Red still gave it a shot, but unfortunately nothing became of it.

Unfortunately AIDEN SUTTON, regardless of his notable plays of brilliance, incurred an ankle injury in the dying minutes and needed support getting off the pitch. Aiden will likely take the opportunity to have a week off to recover whilst the first Cup games play out.

“Mount Barker really deserved that game”, suggested the Woodside Coach, post-game. “With a much higher percentage of control and many more strikes at goal they’ll be a formidable opponent to most teams, easily deserving of first division placement.”

Woodside Red takes on Torrens Valley at Birdwood on Saturday whilst Mount Barker Red will visit Rangers at Ashton.

Strathalbyn Under 14 Red team took on Mt Barker United for their round 5 Grading game this Saturday. 

Strathalbyn seemed to take a while to settle into the game and Mt Barker used that to their advantage to put pressure on to Strathalbyn's defense and for the entire first half it was clearly anyone's game.

From the kickoff in the second half however, both teams played with renewed enthusiasm.  Strathalbyn were determined to make up for a slow first half and their excellent teamwork began to take its toll on Mt Barker as Strathalbyn's attack proved too frenetic for the away teams defense.

With no intention of accepting a defeat without a fight,Mt Barker pressed at the Strathalbyn defense but thanks to solid defending from Strathalbyn the Mt Barker team were unable to make much difference to the scoreline.

 

Full time score:

Strathalbyn 6 - Mt Barker 1

Strathalbyn Under 14 Red team took on Mt Barker United for their round 5 Grading game this Saturday. 

Strathalbyn seemed to take a while to settle into the game and Mt Barker used that to their advantage to put pressure on to Strathalbyn's defense and for the entire first half it was clearly anyone's game.

From the kickoff in the second half however, both teams played with renewed enthusiasm.  Strathalbyn were determined to make up for a slow first half and their excellent teamwork began to take its toll on Mt Barker as Strathalbyn's attack proved too frenetic for the away teams defense.

With no intention of accepting a defeat without a fight,Mt Barker pressed at the Strathalbyn defense but thanks to solid defending from Strathalbyn the Mt Barker team were unable to make much difference to the scoreline.

 

Full time score:

Strathalbyn 6 - Mt Barker 1 

By some miracle, the rain held off at Birdwood Park for the U14 Strath White v Torrens Valley game on Saturday and both players and spectators were grateful. The game was played in good spirit and both teams worked hard to take control of the ball. Surprisingly, the first two goals of the game went to Strathalbyn defenders, COOPER BAILEY and HAMISH WILSON (tall Hamish). Hamish's goal appeared to be a brilliant strike, aimed perfectly over the goalie's head into the back of the net (although he later admitted he was going for a pass). CHARLEE GOMEZ scored the third goal for Strathalbyn before half time.  In the second half, Torrens Valley player COOPER MUGFORD took advantage of some confusion in the Strath backline to break through and score a goal to bring the goal difference back to two. This did not last for long before COOPER BARKER added two more goals to the Strathalbyn total. The game finished with Torrens Valley - 1, Strathalbyn - 5.

Special thanks to NOAH BAILEY, HAMISH WILSON (small Hamish) and RYAN HENTSCHKE for filling in.

Strathalbyn goal scorers - Cooper Bailey 1, Cooper Barker 2, Charlee Gomez 1, Hamish Wilson 1.

Torrens Valley goal scorer - Cooper Mugford 1.

Strathalbyn best players - Charlee Gomez, Cooper Bailey, Cooper Barker

Strathalbyn and Hahndorf Under 16s met in the Round 5 clash at Strathalbyn. Strathalbyn kicked with the breeze in the first half and started strong, testing Hahndorf’s defence straight away. It wasn’t long before Strathalbyn struck with a close shot at goal, beating Hahndorf’s keeper James Bagley. Hahndorf’s defence was solid and Xavier Kell, Josh Rayner and Alex Montagu stopped a number of Strath’s advances before Strath scored again late in the first half. The second half was much closer and Hahndorf’s Jack Anderson, Will Bailye and Jackson Doley had plenty of the ball but were unable to score. Tully Probert, Eddie Hardingham and David Nielsen were strong in defence and Jye Martin was able hold off Strath’s forwards as they advanced several times. Strath scored their 3rd goal midway through the second half. Hahndorf had a few opportunities to score through Micah Edgecombe, Jaimie Hamilton and Jack Anderson but they were not able to find the back of the net. Strathalbyn walked away with a solid 3-0 victory in what was an entertaining and hard-fought game from both sides.

With the heavy rain during the week no one could predict what the weather or pitch would be like on Saturday but thankfully the rain held back and the U16 boys were ready to get stuck into another game. Up against Stirling District Blue who are a developing team it was quite an easy game. Woodside started well and pushed the ball around using the space and eventually started to hit the back of the net. There were good plays coming from the backline right through the midfielders and onto an attacker to finish some nice through balls. The half time score was 8-0 and an entertaining game. Stirling District managed to score in the second half and showed some promising signs of good football. They worked hard and showed great heart as they keep pushing and trying to score. Woodside a backline stopped them most of the time but when they broke through it was a well deserved goal. Our boys are getting better and better each week and hoping to take this momentum into the cup round next week. Player of the match went to Toby who scored 5 goals and flashed past players all over the field, he even finished the game as keeper. There's a good vibe amongst the team and we can't wait to see where the rest of the season can take us.

Heading into round 5 our Warrior girls prepared to face the top team in the league, Stirling Districts. We were prepared for a tough game but the girls were still in high spirits keen to get out on the pitch and have some fun! Stirling were out to prove they are the best and scored 3 goals within the first 5 minutes. Shaken up, Woodside struggled to counter attack and Stirling managed put away 5 more goals before half time. Halftime brought around some lineup changes, with two of Woodside's fierce midfielders dropping into centre back positions. With fresh legs in defense the warrior girls were able to keep Stirling from scoring in the first 15 minutes of the second half. However, Stirling persisted and managed to get back on the scoreboard. Our attackers made some great passes and managed to make a strong run at goals before our chances at a goal were swept away by Stirling's last defender. Following this Stirling fired three more shots into the back of the net before the final whistle blew! A great effort from our Warrior girls, keeping their good spirit throughout the game and really stepping up in the second half! Thankyou to all our parents and supporters who came out in the rain!