Match report

Match report

Woodside visited Bradbury park for this week’s game that saw a top of the table clash between Woodside (first) and Stirling District’s White (second) With only two points separating them on the ladder, and both with games in hand, the result of this match could well decide this year’s winner.

For both teams and their spectators, it was going to be a nervous 80 minutes of soccer. Woodside again was dealt a blow during the week with another of its players (now 3) sitting on the side line with a long term injury. So again Woodside delved into its talented U13 squad to bring up two players to assist if required.

When the whistle blew, 22 players and reserves were primed to give their all. Woodside started off the better with crisp passing and switches of play that kept District’s defense on its toes. They were creating opportunities down both wings and stretching their opponents and with some great crosses just needed a striker to put the ball home. Woodside, for the opening 20 minutes, were getting into great position to open the scoring but Districts stood tall and closed down opportunities. With the relentless pressure something had to happen and after 24 minutes Woodside’s attacking midfielder received a pass from out wide and some space on the ball and, taking his time, he took a shot. Whether due the speed of the ball or an unkind bounce the ball travelled under the unsuspecting keeper and rolled into the net. Woodside had the lucky start and knew that their opposition would not give up. When Stirling attacked it was through their runners but Woodside’s defense held strong, closed them down and gave them very little opportunities to strike a ball on target. When the first half concluded Woodside had the lead by one.

The second half saw a more determined White now resorting to long balls out of their defence and making it a running race for Woodside. In the first five minutes Woodside were in their defensive third as their opponents sought their opening goal. Woodside hung tough and settled themselves again making passes that were splitting their opponent’s defensive line down both sides and getting crosses into the box, in most cases finding opponents rather than a waiting red and blue shirt. In one passage of play Woodside’s spectators watched as District’s keeper cleared the ball down field, watched it bounce twice past the defensive line and as Woodside’s keeper came off his line, watched with baited breadth as the keeper nearly running under the bounce stopped, stepping back and claiming it as his. Both teams were now moving the ball up and down the field with great runs from both teams trying to get a goal. Districts in one attack were foiled by Woodside’s keeper when a scrappy engagement in the Woodside 18 yard box looked to have the hallmarks of a Stirling goal when he stretched his hand out and managed to save the ball from crossing the line. Woodside’s change to a traditional back four early in the game was holding strong with both central defenders supporting each other and getting first to the ball or covered just in case. As the game progressed Woodside held strong and kept their nerve, easily moving the ball out of defense and through to a waiting midfield player who were more than eager to keep the ball moving forward. But Stirling were not finished in their best chance of the game, a lone District’s player found himself running at the keeper with Woodside defenders closing in. Taking his shot, the Woodside keeper managed to parry the ball away and snuff out a District’s comeback. As the last few minutes ticked down, Woodside continued to apply the pressure and create opportunities but when these failed they were quickly on the back foot as Districts pressed. In the last 5 minutes Woodside made its only two changes of the game substituting its speedy centre forward who had run all day and it’s goal scorer who was starting to get some unfriendly attention from the opposition. When the final whistle sounded Woodside were the victors but both teams put on an exceptional game of football that all spectators were proud to have witnessed.