Match report

Match report

After another wet week, this week’s game between Stirling Districts Blue and Woodside Blue was moved to Strathalbyn. 

With conditions fine and the sun out, the game began on time. Woodside welcomed a new player to its lineup this week who offered to wear the gloves and we thank him for his efforts. For the first 20 minutes both teams worked hard to get the ball into attack but the defense held strong. While Woodside had more opportunities Stirling’s small defense repelled them each time. Woodside finally opened their scoring when their right midfielder managed to get a toe on the ball and beat the diving keeper in a scrappy contest. Both teams lifted their intensity but Woodside’s ball movement was the slicker and they kept finding opportunities out wide but Districts denied shots on goal. Woodside scored again when they applied pressure to Stirling’s goal kick that failed to leave the penalty box and their left winger put the goal in the back of the net for a 2:0 lead, which is how the score was at the half time break. 

The second half saw Woodside play into a wind, giving their opponents the opportunity to use it to their advantage. It was however the ball play of Woodside that got the early goal in the second half again from its right midfielder. Stirling Districts were not to be denied and with a great run by their left winger, managed a shot on goal that passed between the keeper and near post and gave them some hope. Woodside’s forwards found the extra gear they needed and replied quickly to again give themselves a two goal buffer. Stirling having scored once were looking for their second and, with long balls out of defense, were running at the Woodside’s defense and moving the ball to create opportunities. When Woodside’s center back was out of position, they managed to get their chance and scored their second for the game. Woodside tightened up across the board and their center forward scored his second for the game. Stirling were not to be denied but a great save by the Woodside keeper at the front post pushing it over the bar denied Stirling from what was a great strike. With little time left, Woodside went on attack and with their speedy forward powering past Stirling’s defense, he took his time and scored his second for the game. When the whistle sounded Woodside again took home the points but they did not have the game their own way and Stirling should be commended for their efforts.