Match report

Match report

Well the weather was fantastic for the start of the 2020 season, a little late because of the pandemic, but it was great to again see familiar faces out on the field and on the sidelines.

We began our first game against an old foe that has always resulted in a good tussle and our opponent had come to play, with Murray Bridge breaking through our defensive lines and putting the ball in the back of the net after two minutes. This woke up the slow starting Warriors who switched on and starting playing the style of soccer that would make any supporter proud. With strong passages of play and tight defence the Warriors found their groove and it wasn’t long before they strung together some well executed passes and found the net. As the half progressed the Warriors continued to find themselves with more space and more opportunities in front of the goals but many of these opportunities were squandered as they shot high or wide, sometimes with very little pressure from their opponents. Finally a shot on target found its mark and they had the lead, but Murray Bridge didn’t give up and with a foray into the Warriors half only a scrambling keeper and centre back managed to deny them a second goal. As the half time whistle sounded it could still be anybody's game in the second half with the score 2:1 in the Warriors favour.

Woodside were determined to make this their game and stepped up their intensity in all aspects; the defence took greater control of their opponents and closed them down quickly giving them no opportunity to go forward. The Warriors midfield started working together with great passing that continued to put Murray Bridge's midfield and defence under pressure. Before long Woodside had doubled its score through its hard working midfield but the forwards still struggled in front of goals missing many easy opportunities. With greater possession and accurate passing Woodside's midfield continued to trouble their opponents and again managed to get behind the defence and score two more. As the half progressed the Woodside team started to lose its structure and Murray Bridge, fighters to the end, started to make opportunities for themselves. Through their speed and commitment, Murray Bridge managed to make their way down the field but with the keeper coming off his line and a defence scrambling to apply pressure a number of attempts were quashed. Woodside regrouped and once again took control of the game in midfield, they tightened their structure and started moving and passing providing themselves with more opportunities down the flanks and crosses into the box. As the game was drawing to its end Woodside found another two goals through good accurate passing and determination in front of goals.

The whistle sounded and Woodside finished the game with eight goals that could have easily been more considering the opportunities they had, Murray Bridge should be commended for their efforts and while they only managed a goal early in the first half, they continued to apply pressure and make opportunities and at no time did they drop their heads but they continued to make it a contest.