Match report

Season Date Round Venue
2019 U14 Grading 18th May 10:30am Cup Round 1 TVSC Birdwood Park
Goals
I. Raymond (12'), J. Bevan (21'), J. Tonkin (24'), T. Vincent (41'), C. McLean (52'), J. Bevan (59'), J. Bevan (61'), J. Wall (63'), H. Davis (69')

Best
T. Balacco (1st), C. McLean (2nd), J. Vassos (3rd)
Goals
A. Williams (25')

Best
N/A
Match report

Birdwood played host for a first round cup game between the home team, Torrens Valley, and the away team, Woodside Warriors. Despite the early week forecast of a wet Saturday the light cloud cover and eventual sunshine told a different story, perfect for a game of football in mid-May.

The last time these two teams met was the first round of the league, when Woodside started their clean sheet run through the five grading matches. When Woodside first met Torrens Valley they were victorious with a 9-3 win. Cut to five weeks later, the first of the Cup games, and Woodside was looking for another simple win.

Unfortunately Torrens Valley had other ideas and wasn’t happy to hand over an easy win to the opposing team. The game kicked off at 10:30pm. Time for the two teams to determine an outcome.

Despite the solid warm-up, the away team started on the back-foot, going into the game almost lifeless and out of tune with the quality of what their supporters expect of them. When Woodside’s IZEYAH RAYMOND landed the first goal on the 12th minute no-one was confident it was enough. Ten minutes later JOSH BEVAN delivered Woodside’s second and still no-one was confident it was enough.

Torrens Valley, having had enough at this point, threaded the ball through Woodside’s defence, landing it in front of an onside Aiden Williams. The TVSC player then carefully put it past Woodside’s keeper and opened the home team’s account. JETT TONKIN managed to add a third to Woodside’s tally before half time. Even at this point no-one was confident it was enough for a win.

The whistle sounded, marking the half way point. All players, deserving of their weekly orange quarter session, also had to endure the words of their coaches.

The second half fell heavily in favour of the away team with four additional scorers (TOBY VINCENT, CAMERON MCLEAN, JAMES WALL and HAYDEN DAVIS) all adding onto Woodside’s haul, some of whom added a couple to their name.

The referee sounded his whistle on the 70th minute, declaring the game in favour of the away team, being 9-1 for Woodside Warriors.

“The end score doesn’t reflect their efforts”, said Woodside Coach, BRUCE TONKIN, of the opposing team. “It was quite obvious that they’re a young U14 team. We weren’t expecting an easy game and TVSC certainly put up a fight. Given that most of this team will be retained in the 2020 U14 season they’ve got the potential to be a danger. Be aware!”

TOMMAS BALACCO, following on from a brilliant 5th round performance, delivered yet again, taking home the Coache’s vote for man of the match. Cameron McLean and JOSH VASSOS weren’t far behind.

Woodside Warriors warming up
Photographer: Dave Bevan

Ready for kick-off
Photographer: Dave Bevan

Half-time
Photographer: Dave Bevan

Reflecting on the game
Photographer: Dave Bevan