Match report

Match report

For their Round 2 clash, Murray Bridge U14 Gold travelled to the Warriors Fortress to take on Woodside U14 Blue. Conditions were prime for a clean, fast exhibition of the Beautiful Game and both sides looked keen to demonstrate their skill, determination and will.

From the opening whistle, the sides looked in stark contrast to one another – Woodside with their high (although vertically challenged) defensive line leading the tall Murray Bridge forwards to their own side of halfway – Bridge defending deep in their own half and happy to keep numbers back to clog the space. This created an interesting difference in styles and made for an enthralling spectacle. But despite these stylistic differences, all and sundry had come to play, and play hard.

Woodside’s high defence meant there was space behind, and the big Bridge strikers knew it. Not only were they big, they were also fast and seemed to have hidden Thor’s Hammer in their boots (when their foot hit the ball, it knew it!). And it wasn’t long before Bridge managed to push the ball behind the Warriors backs – creating a foot race for the ball, they won the race, created a one-on-one with the goalie and finished the job. One – nil, Bridge.

But the home side was undaunted, this group was born without the giving-in gene! They defended hard against their imposing opponents and then surged forward on the counter, creating a number of half-chances before finally finding the equaliser through some great footwork, a clean assist and an accurate finish. But, just as the Warriors refused to lie down, the visitors too were up for the fight. And whenever they had the ball, their hearts were set on exploiting the vacant turf at their attacking end of the ground. This relentless chip-and-charge style of play from Bridge had the Warriors defenders turning on their heels to chase back, and on many occasions they were able to diffuse the bomb and clear the ball. But eventually, the class of the Bridge strikers came to the fore as they found the sack and took the lead at 2 – 1.

The relatively inexperienced Warriors goal keeper was embarked on a rapid learning-journey – he was now acutely aware that one-on-ones hurt! But they hurt less if you meet your opponent head on and with clear intentions! After conceding two, he wasn’t going to wait on his line again and on several occasions he charged off the line to deny Bridge an easy shot on goal! And it was this natural courage that kept the score in check, with Bridge taking a deserved 3 – 1 lead to the break.

The second half saw some of the pressure released. It was still game-on but the intensity seemed a fraction down. Both sides were playing lovely football and half-chances were created at both ends of the ground. Bridge capitalised on two of these, sneaking one over the goalies head and slipping a spinning ball behind the defence to open up a comfortable 5 – 1 lead. But with their hearts and minds driving them forward, Woodside ignored the score-card and continued to strive for glory – they may have been unlikely to win the match but respect was still up for grabs! They ran, they tackled, they strove for the net, and they were eventually rewarded with a penalty in the dying minutes. This was accurately dispatched into the net and provided a consolation prize for the home team.

Bridge were comfortably the better side on the day, but full credit to Woodside for their relentless efforts and never-say-die attitude!