AHJSA Match Reports

Hahndorf arrived in Woodside with a full team ready for a fast-paced game. The sun briefly came out as the umpire blew the whistle for the start of the match.

Hahndorf started strong with a tight backline making it difficult for Woodside to use their skills. Harris Parkyn, Scout Ramsey and Charlie Roezler ensured that any loose balls were sent forward before they had a chance to reach our goalie, Eric Jager.

Hamish Glynn, Angus Clifton, Kealan Atkinson and Michael Griggs moved well through the attacking half and, with a penalty awarded for a handball, Miles Hennessey scored the first goal of the match. Woodside didn’t waste any time and equalised shortly afterwards with another well aimed penalty shot.

Woodside were hungry now and went on to score the next few goals in quick succession. They would have continued on with this if not for the excellent goal keeping skills shown by keeper, Jager. 

Parkyn had another try at goals just before the half time whistle, but unfortunately hit the post.

The second half saw some tired legs with long runs up and down midfield and less attempts at goal. Samuel Gardener worked hard as Goalie. The ball spent a lot of time in Hahndorf’s attacking half, but a strong defence on both sides made goals difficult to come by.

The dry spell was eventually broken by Woodside, but Hahndorf would not give up with Hamish Glynn taking a long run to goals and kicking a brilliant goal that could not have been stopped. Woodside once again responded with another goal just before the final whistle.

At the end of this fast-paced game we saw smiles and tired legs on both sides. That’s what it’s all about.

Round 16  Woodside vs Murray Bridge,

It was a beautiful day and the team was looking eager for another battle of wills. We were one player down so this put us under a little pressure, 

It was chosen to play 8 a side bridge had one sub and we were a full house. 

Players all requesting their favourite positions as the season nears its finish , today was not going to go as normal. 

Murray Bridge had some big players and were playing the tactic of floating a player right up on the box. This meant the defenders were going to have to play a tough game to hold them out. 

Minutes in and a cross came and the floating child scored easily catching the goalie out of position. 

Woodside were shocked as we normally score the first goal. 

Murray bridge now had the adrenalin in their court and tried again with a defensive kick out not going to the wing and back in it came straight past the keeper. 2- 0 at half time. 

Second half and determend to score Woodside were, but bridge kept taking control and a third goal, Woodside had not been in this position before and where loosing their confidence and un aware on how to push through. 

We managed to claw back 2 goals , but it was two little to late and we finished well behind bridge water. It was really evident that the club has closed our training pitch as we had lost our edge that we had. 

Final score 2 Woodside 7 Murray Bridge

When your correspondent was a kid the BBC 1 coverage of the Saturday afternoon football used to start around 4.25pm, covering the last 20 minutes or so of that afternoon’s matches. The full-time show consisted of phoned-in match reports, studio discussion and a text-based system called the videprinter that used to update match scores in a tortuous letter-by-letter style. Of course, the real thrill was when they abruptly switched to cover an event at your ground, with immortal words such as “It’s over now to Dougie Donnelly at Tannadice where Mixu Paatelinen has just completed his hat-trick…”. The whole magical thing was concluded by a BBC announcer reading out the final scores from every professional league in the land, and then it was time for tea.

This match report is similarly brief, as your reporter is getting on a plane to answer a critical call to provide close support for Dundee United in their hour of need, and see his family and friends too.

It would almost be wrong to single out any of the kids in this report because they all did so well, holding probably the strongest team in the league for so long, but we absolutely have to mention Evan Nunn’s goal, her first for this team coming from a beautifully struck shot from about 12 yards that evaded a couple of defenders and hits the back of the net before the keeper knew what was coming. We also must mention a stellar first half in goal from Charlie Hartas who kept Woodside in the game with his shot stopping. Probably also Jock Mills and Tommy Garden then, because they defended so well with blocks, goal line clearances and some free-kick antics straight out of the Premier League. And Elliot Stewart and Logan Bridge for stepping into play for our team once again. But that’s it, no more player mentions, if only because naming any of the others would destroy the neatly-curated balance of mentions in match reports that your correspondent has monitored, manipulated, and sometimes contrived over the course of the season.

Anyway, an absolutely killer first half performance from Woodside saw the teams level-pegging at half time and with real belief that they could get a result. Sadly it wasn’t to be, but Woodside need to remember that they matched and on numerous occasions out-fought Barker over the course of this game, and were only really second best for a few minutes in the second half.

This is it for match reports for our normal season – although there might be a special carnival edition to come so the trilby hat and typewriter and not yet stowed for another year – enjoy the football.

As the season winds down, and with only three matches left to play, Woodside Warriors U13 Red hosted Murray Bridge Blue under patchy grey clouds that kept the mercury near the bottom of the thermometer. Bridge Blue is an interesting side. Dominated by young, inexperienced players they personify the AHJFA culture of committing to the challenge, learning through experience and doing all of it as a team (in the true sense of the word). The scoreboard hasn’t fallen often in their favour this season, but their results are best measured in other ways. Their structure and commitment are second to none and, if they stick with it, next season could well be their moment.

For the duration, Woodside dominated this contest while a dogged Bridge defensive unit and extraordinary gloveman refused to capitulate under relentless duress. But with a total of 19 shots raining down on their guarded nest, United were bound to crack and by half-time, three balls had found their way into the onion bag. These were created by a classy-looking Woodside midfield and front three, who eagerly pushed the ball through the line and created an abundance of 1 v 1s on the keeper. With two of Woodside’s front three lacking game time up front, a number of these shots were clubbed into the keeper’s chest, where his reliably sticky hands took clean possession – This goalkeeper appears to have had a lot of practice and, like his team-mates, is developing into a fine young player. As the game progressed and Woodside’s ascendency continued, they lost a little of their normally immaculate structure. The midfield appeared more intent on scoring goals than creating for their mates and filling the space. In this perpetual irony of junior sport, the result of an overzealous attack was the creation of less clean chances, rather than more. But with an almost impenetrable back four behind the Woodside midfield, such eagerness to get forward proved uncostly on their goal. The classy-looking Bridge forwards did make a few dangerous raids and fired off a hand-full of shots as the clock ticked towards the break, but largely they were kept at bay by a battle-hardened Warriors unit. And so, we went into half-time with Woodside dominating the contest and Bridge fighting on.

After bagging a brace in the first half, Woodside’s most experienced forward pulled on the mits for the second to give his legs a well-earned rest going into the last two games of the season. This gave a few teammates the opportunity to get up front and learn a new set of skills. And after several brilliant displays of creative football, the Warriors striker added a goal in the second half to the one she had scored in the first. It was a just reward for her effort, with the ones she kicked into the keepers hands providing valuable experience as she continues on her footballing journey. Some of Woodside’s most reliable midfielders and backs also had their chance up front in the second half, often falling painfully short of glory as they were denied by a desperate United back four and goalkeeper. Even the Woodside crowd were inspired by the determination of Murray Bridge – such courage is rarely seen in young people, especially at the end of a long, hard season. The goalkeeper even pulled off two full-stretch saves in the last ten minutes, landing heavily on both occasions to knock the wind out of his lungs. This kept the score to 4 – nil and showed the importance of a full-field performance, courage, positivity and teamwork. When the game was drawn to a close, both sides walked from the pitch full of smiles and it was a pleasure to part of this warm atmosphere after such a tough and physical match.

Hahndorf U15 V’s Mt Barker Red U15

               Saturday 3/9/2022

Mt Barker Red took the kick off was at 11:15 with cloud cover and slight drizzle of rain, but thankfully for players and parents alike there was only a wisp of a breeze.

Hahndorf came out strong putting pressure on Mt Barkers defence with a combination of attacks from Toby Thomas and Jesse Powell crossing lobbing passes into Lance Pope to have shots on goals. The first stopped by Mt Barker goal keeper and second going over the crossbar. Mt Barker responded with their own attacks on goal with one passage of plays resulting in one of many free kicks to Mt barker. Oscar Johnson and Hahndorf goal keeper Thomas Boekel weren’t having any of it though, both stopping Mt Barkers advances. Mt Barker kept up the attack and managed to scrape the first goal past the Hahndorf defence as a deflection rolled the ball in slow motion past keeper Tom.

This spurred on The Hahndorf defence with some strong defensive wall work from Alexander Romaldi, Edwin Allen, Rhys Davies and Joshua House stopping the ball from coming into their defensive zone. The ball seemed like it was on a yo-yo with plenty of back and forth with shots on goal from both teams. Hahndorf seemed to be keeping the ball in their attacking half with thanks to William Viller stoping the ball from getting to far past mid filed, but Mt Barker were not giving them any chances by loading their defence with almost the whole on field team flooding their defence making it hard for any clean shots on goal.

Mt Barker managed a second goal off a corner kick to be 2-0 in front. Jesse had a great run up the wing but was met by a solid wall of Mt barker as they flooded their defence again. This didn’t stop Hahndorf from trying, plenty of crosses and shots on goal but unable to convert. Zara Tinsley-Smith came on and added her strength to the Hahndorf defence keeping her feet while her opponent went to ground giving her space to easily clear the ball. The Mt barker players all seemed stunned after their encounters with Zara as she showed her ferocity in attacking the ball and clearing it from the defence. This amazing display of defence ended in Jesse finally being able to find the back of the net getting Hahndorf on the board 2-1. After a Hahndorf corner from Jesse, Lance was able to even the score 2-2 with a header into the back of the net. This was a great display of pin point accuracy from both players.

Just before half time there was a little bit too much pressure put on the Mt Barker attackers as a penalty kick was given away. Mt Barker where able to slot the ball past keeper Tom to make the score 3-2 to Mt Barker at half time.

The second half saw Mt Barker come out strong pushing the ball against the Hahndorf defenders. Liam Sickerdick, Angus Mifsud, Cameron Norris along with their mid field and defensive wall were put to it right from the start but were able to hold off the attacks from Mt barker. Any time Hahndorf midfield and forward line bought the ball up they were face with a flood of Mt barker players sometimes 1v5. Mt barker seemed to come out from the half time huddle with a little more enthusiasm than Hahndorf did. Although both teams put up some good plays and the ball seemed to be like a yo-yo again with the ball moving into each teams forward half with plenty of shots on goal, but plenty of amazing saves by both defensive teams. Both Hakim Herriman and Jensen Norris weren’t letting the pressure get to them and attacking the ball every chance they got, but with the flooded defence of Mt barker it was almost an impossible mission to get the ball to goal.

Mt barker managed to get the ball into the back of their net 2 more time’s in the last half making the score 5-2 Mt Barkers way. Final score at full time was Mt Barker 5 to Hahndorf 2.

Hahndorf U15 V’s Mt Barker Red U15

               Saturday 3/9/2022

Mt Barker Red took the kick off was at 11:15 with cloud cover and slight drizzle of rain, but thankfully for players and parents alike there was only a wisp of a breeze.

Hahndorf came out strong putting pressure on Mt Barkers defence with a combination of attacks from Toby Thomas and Jesse Powell crossing lobbing passes into Lance Pope to have shots on goals. The first stopped by Mt Barker goal keeper and second going over the crossbar. Mt Barker responded with their own attacks on goal with one passage of plays resulting in one of many free kicks to Mt barker. Oscar Johnson and Hahndorf goal keeper Thomas Boekel weren’t having any of it though, both stopping Mt Barkers advances. Mt Barker kept up the attack and managed to scrape the first goal past the Hahndorf defence as a deflection rolled the ball in slow motion past keeper Tom.

This spurred on The Hahndorf defence with some strong defensive wall work from Alexander Romaldi, Edwin Allen, Rhys Davies and Joshua House stopping the ball from coming into their defensive zone. The ball seemed like it was on a yo-yo with plenty of back and forth with shots on goal from both teams. Hahndorf seemed to be keeping the ball in their attacking half with thanks to William Viller stoping the ball from getting to far past mid filed, but Mt Barker were not giving them any chances by loading their defence with almost the whole on field team flooding their defence making it hard for any clean shots on goal.

Mt Barker managed a second goal off a corner kick to be 2-0 in front. Jesse had a great run up the wing but was met by a solid wall of Mt barker as they flooded their defence again. This didn’t stop Hahndorf from trying, plenty of crosses and shots on goal but unable to convert. Zara Tinsley-Smith came on and added her strength to the Hahndorf defence keeping her feet while her opponent went to ground giving her space to easily clear the ball. The Mt barker players all seemed stunned after their encounters with Zara as she showed her ferocity in attacking the ball and clearing it from the defence. This amazing display of defence ended in Jesse finally being able to find the back of the net getting Hahndorf on the board 2-1. After a Hahndorf corner from Jesse, Lance was able to even the score 2-2 with a header into the back of the net. This was a great display of pin point accuracy from both players.

Just before half time there was a little bit too much pressure put on the Mt Barker attackers as a penalty kick was given away. Mt Barker where able to slot the ball past keeper Tom to make the score 3-2 to Mt Barker at half time.

The second half saw Mt Barker come out strong pushing the ball against the Hahndorf defenders. Liam Sickerdick, Angus Mifsud, Cameron Norris along with their mid field and defensive wall were put to it right from the start but were able to hold off the attacks from Mt barker. Any time Hahndorf midfield and forward line bought the ball up they were face with a flood of Mt barker players sometimes 1v5. Mt barker seemed to come out from the half time huddle with a little more enthusiasm than Hahndorf did. Although both teams put up some good plays and the ball seemed to be like a yo-yo again with the ball moving into each teams forward half with plenty of shots on goal, but plenty of amazing saves by both defensive teams. Both Hakim Herriman and Jensen Norris weren’t letting the pressure get to them and attacking the ball every chance they got, but with the flooded defence of Mt barker it was almost an impossible mission to get the ball to goal.

Mt barker managed to get the ball into the back of their net 2 more time’s in the last half making the score 5-2 Mt Barkers way. Final score at full time was Mt Barker 5 to Hahndorf 2.

Another winter's morning at Strathalbyn Strikers saw Stirling Districts play Mount Barker. Early pressure from Mount Barker was to no avail. As usual, Nora made several good throw ins reading the play and working with Ruby, Emma and Lily to create a strong back line. Aubrey was strong in midfield as usual, creating opportunities for her team mates as well as getting close to scoring herself. Amber's strength and game awareness have come along in leaps and bounds, making her a player to be reckoned with on the wing. Great saves from Zoe in goal, reading the play and coming out strong and fearless. She was quite relieved her other coaches weren't there to witness in case they get any ideas.

Shortly into the second half, Ruby scored the first game of the match. Mount Barker continued to push back but En was strong in goals. Mollie had a cracker game throughout, also showing strong skill development. She then passed to Zoe who curved ball around the near post to score the second goal. Ruby scored another goal before Isabelle's impressive clearing kick accidentally drove the ball into an opposition player. That player came back a few minutes later to score Mount Barker's only goal of the match to the applause of all. Not ready to ease off, Zora came through and scored Stirling Districts' final goal after earlier attempts had been thwarted.

With no subs in the bench, all girls should be proud of their efforts! A great win Stirling Districts!