AHJSA Match Reports

Great evenly matched game today.  Both teams had to defend well and take any opportunity possible to push forward.  Mt Barker ended up the winners with all 3 Mt Barker goals coming in the 2nd half. Or strikers worked very hard for those 3 goals.

Today's game was played at pine avenue, in perfect winter weather. A very close game between two very evenly matched sides. Hahdorf came away with the win today. Hahndorf had a depleted squad with 3 regular players away for school holidays. Chris and Emlyn from U10 filled in with great enthusiasm and courage. And it was another all around team effort that produced today's result for Hahndorf.

Hahndorf's best players with coaches comments:

3 Ivy - best player on the ground due to sheer energy and confidence on the ball. Fixed her mistakes and often ran half way across the pitch to put pressure on a player. At least one goal resulted from that pressure.

2 Callum - Applied the exact strategy that we practiced at training and scored a goal from it. Thought carefully about his passes and didn’t waste the ball.

1 Ryan - Missed the first half but stayed super positive and doubled down on his energy for the second half stopping several goals and setting up 4-5 forward movements.
 

Stirling Districts put on a fantastic day with mild sunshine and great pitch conditions.

when the game started off the Rams held their ground well and used their game plan to contain the stronger Stirling districts players. Tye Foster worked hard in the goals and the midfield spread wide to use the speed on the wings but it was all to no avail as Stirling got two goals quickly to break away. the second half was much of the same with the Rams being overrun and although having scoring chances only converting once. Stirling tried hard and were rewarded with three goals in the half finishing 5-1 win for Stirling.

Woodside Under 12s faced up against Stirling United at Heathfield High, and despite the perfect soccer weather they knew they had a fght on their hands against a strong team with more Div 1 experience. The first half was an uphill battle for the team, with the goals from Stirling coming rapidly after kick off. Last line of defence Goalie James Lunnon was pivitol in minimising the damage, blocking at least 7 attempts. However despite his efforts the team were 6 nil down at the end of the first half

To their credit they picked themselves up and played close to their best game in the second half. The opposition were afforded fewer opportunities to score and dominate possession. Despite getting knocked about on two occasions, Israel Maxwell showed ressiliance to continue his solid tackling, and man of the match Ollie Boerth was not intimidated by larger players as he went in time and time again to regain possession or move the ball out of danger. Woodsides stronger defending and tighter second half play was rewarded when Sidney Cotten got our only goal. The team stood up to tough tackling and the passion flowed from all of Woodsides players, with a more spirited performance throughout the second half. Well done everyone.

Strath Strikers hosted Woodside Warriors U12 Blue under clear skies and the most un-wintery of conditions, setting the stage for fast, free flowing football.

Both teams jumped out of the blocks well, and the early exchanges were evenly matched as each group fought cleanly for possession and transferred the ball forward with skill and precision. In front of goals, both teams were setting up chances, but good defensive structure and effort was keeping the score-card blank. As the game progressed and both teams strove forward with intent, the tension steadily built. Antagonistic forces were being applied in conflicting directions, producing an unsustainable load. And under such conditions, something had to give. Unfortunately for the visitors, it was their high defensive line that cracked. A long ball burst through the line and created a foot-race for the ball, and although the retreating Warrior ran with all he had, the Strath striker found the ball first and sent it into the back of the net. After such an even start, the goal came like a cold dagger to the hearts of the hard-working Warriors and it took some wind out of their sails. It felt unjust, but it was now written in ink and if they wanted victory, the Warriors would have to lift. But for the next ten minutes they didn’t lift enough. A few of the Warriors were now standing a fraction off their direct opponent, giving them space, and just that half-second of time. And against top-quality players, that is all it takes. Eventually, a powerful strike from 30 out sailed long and high over the Warriors goalie, giving the Strikers a 2 – nil lead at the break.

Half-time brought a welcome relief for the visitors and provided a chance to reset and re-intensify. And that is just what they did. After a ten minute period of not-quite-good-enough, they were now matching the home team in every facet of play, including effort. Now the game appeared to be back in the balance, and a come-back felt a real possibility. But Strath just wouldn’t yield. They defended with class and continued to threaten on the rebound, pushing the ball through whenever possible. And it was this relentless style of defend-and-counter that yielded another 2 goals for the home team in the second half. But the visitors were unwilling to leave without troubling the scorer and eventually found a goal of their own by continuing to put the ball in the box and fighting for the ball. The visitors also created an avalanche of chances in the dying minutes as they ran the ball forward with unyielding intent. But Strath were up to the challenge, their defence retreating just quickly enough to save the day on several occasions.

And so it ended, with the scorecard showing a solid victory for the home side: Strathalbyn Strikers 4 – 1 Woodside Warriors

Saturday's Under 14 Red game versus Woodside was a testament to just how well the Strathalbyn Strikers have developed as a team over the last 8 weeks.

From the outset Strathalbyn were on top of their game,in control of their match and technically dominating their opponents.

With fantastic combined effort by Strathalbyn's strikers and solid defending it was just left to the midfielder's to make the space and spread the forward play which they did well and in doing so helped to secure another convincing win for Strathalbyn.

Final score

Strathalbyn 4 - Woodside 1

Woodside Red welcomed Strathalbyn White to Woodside on Saturday’s late morning clash. With the warm winter sun on display for both players and supporters querying whether one needs to wear sunscreen seemed surprisingly appropriate.

The short history of the two sides sees two games in favour of the away team. In their first encounter Woodside were in control of the first half, but suffered an almighty comeback from Strathalbyn in the second, losing 4-6 at Strathalbyn’s Polo Grounds. Their second encounter was even more exciting in that it was a cup game that unfortunately went to 3-3 by the end of normal time. With an extra 20 minutes of overtime, bringing the total game time to that of senior level, it ended up in favour of Strathalbyn, 3-4 their way.

Their third encounter, held over the weekend, was a little less exciting however. The tradition continued with Strathalbyn taking home three points after controlling the flow of the game from the start until the end. Despite Woodside’s solid defensive line in the second half, something which they did only a few nights before against Stirling United, it was too little too late.

Saving grace was AIDEN SUTTON’s last minute corner kick straight into the goal, landing Woodside’s first, only and final goal in a 1-3 loss against Strathalbyn.

Woodside’s man-of-the-match was HAYDEN DAVIS, who outperformed himself, chasing down many balls in the various positions he played. Other notable players were JOSH VASSOS and the goal-scorer, Sutton.

Both teams will now take a week off before Strathalbyn test their skills against ladder leaders, Stirling United. Meanwhile Woodside will take on the Rangers.

Hahndorf hosted Woodside Warriors on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Pine Avenue. The game started with some strong attacking and defending by both teams and Hahndorf’s Tully Probert was in the thick of it, getting plenty of ball early and Jack Anderson had some early shots at goal. After 10 minutes, Woodside’s forwards broke through and kicked their first goal of the game, beating Hahndorf’s keeper James Bagley. Woodside found the back of the net again before Hahndorf’s Jamie Hamilton received a nice pass from Eddie Hardingham and kicked his first goal for the match. The first half was hard fought and at 1-2, the home team were pleased with their efforts against a very skilful opposition. The 2nd half was dominated by Hahndorf starting with a great running goal by Anderson to level the scores. Hahndorf’s defenders held back numerous advances by Woodside and Jack Eakins, Xavier Kell, Josh Rayner, David Nielsen, Jackson Doley and Alex Montagu were solid in defence. Hahndorf’s midfield was strong with Probert, Will Bailye, Micah Edgecombe and Angus Mason setting up a number of Hahndorf attacks. Anderson kicked his 2nd goal after a Hahndorf corner and Woodside received a penalty and converted to even up the scores again. Hahndorf’s skipper Tully Probert ran hard and kicked a well-deserved goal and Anderson again out-sprinted the Woodside defenders to kick his third goal for the match. Hamilton scored his second goal with 5 minutes left on the clock and Hahndorf walked away with a great 6-3 victory.

Woodside travelled to Hahndorf for an afternoon match in perfect conditions.

The visitors started well, with Ben Tyas keeping the forwards well supplied with through balls. Braedyn Murray eventually found space on the left wing to cross a long ball to Ryan Boyes-Flynn, who converted for Woodside’s first.

Both teams swapped possession back and forth until Asher Hammat tussled with the opposition keeper to come up with another hard won goal.

Hahndorf scored late in the half leaving Woodside 2-1 up at the break.

The home side equalised early in the second half and started to make their presence felt.

With Woodside reduced to ten players through injury, the defence were stretched and despite their best efforts Hahndorf scored twice more to take a commanding lead.

Goalkeeper Jayden Steward stepped up from the U14 side and made some terrific saves against some strong shots on goal.

Ben Tyas was awarded a penalty after a poor challenge from his opponent and put it away neatly to put Woodside within a goal at 3-4 down.

A long shot from a Hahndorf attacker lobbed neatly under the crossbar to once again put scoreboard pressure on the visitors as time slipped away.

The Warriors kept pressing forward and were unlucky not to score from a long range shot that rebounded off the crossbar.

The tired Woodside defense were under constant pressure, and Hahndorf scored again late in the half to seal the game 6-3.

 

 

 

Round 11 brought our Warrior girls face to face with Strath Red who beat us squarely in our previous battle. The sun came out to support our girls today along with many loving family members constantly cheering the girls on. Sophie Urwin made her mark on the scoreline early on in the game stirring up a momentum the girls didnt let go. They all fought very hard in the first half and at half time we were sitting on 1-1. Goung into the second half the girls were determined not to let Strath beat them again and our girls proved they deserved to win this game! Sophie Urwin added a second tally to the table, and after many persistent runs Rebecca Wall also slammed one into the back of the net. Strath kept up their fight and managed to score again, ending the game on 3-2. Well done to our Woodside girls so proud of all of you! 

Hahndorf Under 17 Girls unfortunately had to forfeit their game against Torrens Valley today due to low numbers available to play for the team.