Match report

Match report

On Saturday morning an undermanned Woodside Warriors U14 Blue travelled to Birdwood Park to take on the Torrens Valley Rams. The visitors faced a daunting challenge - The FFSA State Identification Program had decimated the Warriors club ranks and four of the U14 Blue leadership group were unavailable to do battle. With minutes to go before the opening whistle a lonely group of nine Warriors players could be seen going through their pre-match routine. By the opening whistle, their number had reached ten thanks to a contribution from the U12s but they were still a man short. To compete in this match would take effort, commitment and courage!

From the opening whistle these characters were clearly evident – from both teams. Torrens Valley were attacking with intent, only to be repelled again and again by the fighting Warriors. But the Warriors also looked dangerous, threatening to goal with a number of lovely attacking runs down the right and through the centre. And the game surged thus for a tense 15 minutes. At this juncture the Warriors received a timely boost, finally fielding an 11th player. The remaining ten however, were visibly struggling – together they had done a mountain of work and were out on their feet. But surrender they would not. Time and again the defence stood resolute in the face of adversity... time and again the midfield retreated to cover their flagging mates. But eventually they cracked, and Torrens Valley found a well-earned goal to take the lead in the dying stages of the first half. 

It must be mentioned that the Rams faced a battle of their own. They were playing with the bare 11 –  no one was getting a rest in this match, although all deserved one! And half-time brought welcome relief for all!

The second half started much as the first had –  a tight tussle for domination. But the visitors were tiring more than the locals. Some appeared almost catatonic, lactic acid weighing heavily in their legs like leaden blood. But still they reacted to the challenge and showed their mettle under the most challenging of circumstances. But as time went on, the Rams were clearly gaining the ascendency, creating repeated chances on goal. And eventually they did score, driving fiercely into the back of the net. This led to a cascade of goals, with the Rams putting on another four in a five minute period that sealed the result, but by no means ended the contest. The Warriors had come to fight, and despite their metaphoric wounds, that were now bleeding freely, they refused to submit! All and sundry fought to ensure the rest of the match was an even affair. And the remainder of the game remained a scoreless tussle. Thus the match ended with the home side victorious 6 – 1.

Both teams should be commended on playing the match hard but with impeccable sportsmanship. And well done Rams for a great win.