Match report

Match report

At the half-way point of the season, the 2023 AHJFA U15 competition is as tight as a drum (with the exception of the top couple of teams). The vast majority of games so far have gone down to the wire and been decided by a single goal. This one was no different, with Woodside and Blackwood going head-to-head in yet another nail biter for the ages!

It was Woodside starting the better, as they drove the ball forward to create several promising raids in the first ten minutes, and a clean shot after just two minutes of play. But after going down to Woodside in the opening Cup game earlier in the year, Blackwood had a plan. A reorganisation of their structure saw key playmakers being pushed back to mark the dangerous Woodside midfield. And on the ten-minute mark, their plan looked like a stroke of genius. Woodside were becoming frustrated as each assault was stymied before it could yield reward, while Blackwood were becoming bolder as they scrambled like eggs in defense and then tried to get in behind the Woodside line. And that is how Blackwood took the early lead. After absorbing a mountain of pressure, they fired off a long-ball over the Blue-and-Red back four. This created a 1-v-1 with the keeper that was duly despatched into the back of the net. But the visitors kept their heads, sticking to their game-plan of defending with intensity and precision and then attacking with flare. As a result, Woodside created the next six shots on goal. Two of these found their mark, to give the young Warriors the lead. The first of their goals came from a Blackwood infringement just inside their own half. The resulting free-kick looked like it came out of a cannon. It flew high, curled right-to-left, sailed past everyone, hit the top left corner of the net, and drew looks of disbelief from all and sundry. The second came from high and wide on the right. As the coaches called for a cross, the ball was struck with power towards the back post. But instead of finding a team-mate’s boot, it flashed past the keeper, snuck inside the post and stretched the side-netting. It was just reward for all in Red and Blue, with the efforts of the backs and midfield being realised up front! Blackwood surged again in the final ten minutes of the first half, but a dogged Woodside Warriors outfit kept them at bay to carry a deserved lead into the break.

After half-time, it was Woodside who again set the early running. But Blackwood refused to capitulate. Their midfield was exceptional in its commitment to track back and pressure the opposing force. It is a simple fact that every game this season has been a tough one for these two outfits. There is simply no respite. It is tough and hard, week to week and minute to minute of each match. But this seems to have steeled the young wards. They are resilient in the face of hardship and determined to commit to their team. It is a privilege to watch as they go about their work. But despite the best efforts of the Blackwood charges, Woodside scored from another prodigious finish that came on the back of fierce and organised defensive work. This gave the visitors a welcome buffer, but with almost half-an-hour left on the clock the game was far from over. For the remainder of the contest both sides showed what they are made of as they traded shots on goal. Finally, with ten to go, Blackwood goaled as they hacked and scrambled the ball through. This sent the home crowd into raptures as they sensed a come-from-behind draw was on the cards. The locals on the pitch redoubled their efforts, striving hard to make it happen. But Woodside were having none of it. Be damned if they’d come this far to settle for a draw. In the final 10 minutes, Woodside fired off two shots on target – both were denied. In the same period, Blackwood created three shots. The best of these was a screamer that hit the crossbar and rebounded into the danger zone. Here, surely was a chance to bring scores level. Fourteen players surged as one for the ball, desperate to shoot or clear the area depending on the colours they wore. It was hacked out by Woodside but controlled by Blackwood outside the box. Again, they sent the ball in. Again, it was cleared short, but cleared it was! Woodside had hacked the ball to safety for their defensive midfielder to take possession and drive for the safety of half-way. But as he strode out, he was brought down. The ref duly blew her whistle for a free-kick, and then blasted it another three times to break Blackwood hearts and elevate the visitors to a state of elated relief! And finally, the coaches could breathe…