Match report

Match report

A cold and wet winters morning greeted both teams at Birdwood Park. Both teams were coming of a loss the previous round and were keen to get back into the winners circle. The pitch looked heavy with some muddy patches appearing. However, both teams were keen to play and charge at the ball.

Mt Barker striker Archer Hawkins got the game under way and right from the get go, Mount Barker were in full attack mode. They controlled the ball well and began to find space out wide. At the 7th minute mark, Mount Barker mid-fielder, Jonty Burzacott had an optimistic shot on goal from just ahead of the halfway line. The shot was on target and in the wet conditions, it skidded past the keeper for an unexpected, but worthy goal.

Barely 2 minutes later, boom, another goal for Mount Barker. This time from their striker, Liam Dunn. At the 9min mark Mount Barker were looking dangerous and had their backs up with an early 2 - 0 lead.  

Torrens Valley kicked off with an impressive run of passes, as they looked to get on the score-board. However, Mount Barker defended well and denied Torrens Valley the point. The game now settled down with both teams looking to gain the advantage. Mount Barker, however, were beginning to grow in confidence and were stringing together multiple passes

Mount Barker began to dominate field position and were holding the ball deep in the Torrens Valley defensive zone. On the stroke of 18mins, Mount Barker midfielder, Jack Pallant, struck hard and true into the bottom left corner to score a ripper of a goal for Mount Barker. This was Jack's first goal playing soccer and his team mates rallied around him. 

Mount Barker were looking dangerous at 3 - 0 

From the kick-off, Torrens Valley were on the ball again, working it up to the Mount Barker goal area, however this attack was repelled. The ball was quickly cleared wide and Mount Barker were on the attack driving hard up the centre. Mount Barker centre mid-fielder, Remarni Puiatti, found the ball in space and with opportunity, struck true for his first goal of the match. At the 20min mark Mount Barker were 4 - 0 and carried this score to half-time. 

From the kickoff, Mount Barker carried their confidence into the second half. Torrens Valley threatened at every opportunity however they were unable to penetrate the Mount Barker defensive line, led by their workhorse, Taj Gore. At the 37min mark, striker Liam Dunn claimed his second goal of the match via a Penalty, to put Mount Barker ahead 5 - 0 . Shortly after Archer Hawkins joined the goal scoring list with a deserved goal 3 mins later to put Mount Barker 6 - 0

This goal stung the Torrens Valley team into action and they were determined to score some points. They were rewarded at the 50min mark when Tye Foster struck a thunderous shot into the top left corner to earn a goal and get his team on the score-board. 

Not to be outdone, Mount Barkers Liam Dunn earned a hat-trick of goals with 5 mins to spare which carried Mount Barker to the fulltime whistle with a well deserved 7 - 1 victory. 

Both coaches agreed it was a very entertaining game played in difficult conditions. 

Next week Mount Barker will travel to Bradwood Oval to face 3rd placed Stirling Districts White and Torrens Valley will meet Hahndorf White at Birdwood Park