Match report

Match report

With only three games remaining in the season Woodside's U14 Red team are too far behind ladder leaders Stirling United to catch up. Unfortunately even second placed Mount Barker and third placed Strathalbyn are too short to challenge Stirling United either. With their nine wins from nine games played Stirling United will coast through to victory from here.

Second is the new first. With Mount Barker and Strathalbyn scrambling for the coveted position, both six points clear of Woodside, it'll be an interesting finish to the season.

On Saturday fourth placed Woodside Red took on Mount Barker at Cornerstone College's glorious pitch. Whilst Woodside had beaten Mount Barker during the grading rounds (where the result didn't matter), they had also lost heavily to them post grading with a 1-4 defeat. With nothing to lose and everything to win Woodside took to the ground with their full squad and a bucket load of positivity.

The game kicked off at 11am and it was quickly determined that both teams were on par with each other. Mount Barker's defensive line-up was strong and any time Woodside had a good run they were shut down by numerous players who seemingly appeared out of nowhere. Woodside was equally as strong, and, whilst most of the first half the ball was in Woodside's half, neither team was in control. Half time came around quickly with little to show. A couple of unsuccessful strikes at goal. 0-0.

The second half saw both teams refreshed. With 35 minutes remaining both teams thought it was time to ramp things up. Mount Barker were the first to break at the 58th minute. Woodside were too far forward and Mount Barker had an open run, slipping one past keeper JAYDEN STEWARD, who often bears the weight of the rest of the team in those moments, despite his multiple saves.

After their previous loss to Mount Barker Woodside should have been happy with 0-1, but it wasn't to be. Woodside, seemingly teasing the growing crowd, left their run to catch up to the dying moments. AIDEN SUTTON, on the 69th minute and via his usual left side approach stemming from a timely cross from master JAMES WALL, equalised.

With a minute remaining and a usually reserved Woodside Coach screaming at his players to shut everything down and head home with a draw, Woodside Red were ignorant and seized the opportunity to have one last ping. Mount Barker lost the ball to Woodside who saw the feet of numerous players on the way towards Mount Barker's goal, before finally landing on the feet of Woodside Captain JETT TONKIN, who naturally slipped it past their keeper. Woodside players and supporters were ecstatic.

“Even though Woodside’s efforts were strong, by all players, one particular player stood tall in a land of giants”, said Coach BRUCE TONKIN post-game. “JOSH VASSOS played an absolute blinder. It’s reasonably easy to assess opposing team’s strengths and weaknesses and difficult to analyse your own. Mount Barker were strong on all angles, however it was rewarding to hear one of their players comment on how strong our own defence is. One of our key centre-backs was integral in today’s win. With his endless energy and sheer will and determination Josh was an easy pick for man of the match”.

In the next round Woodside will take on ladder leaders Stirling United whilst Mount Barker will see Strathalbyn.