AHJSA Match Reports

A great attacking day today for Mt Barker.  Our star striker got 3 goals.  Our defence played well with Talon, Cameron and Asher very strong.

Bridgewater got two late goals to even up the second half.

Today's match was played in mostly sunshine at Ranger's home ground in Ashton. Both teams ran hard all game, and Ranger's defended well, but Hahndorf came away with a well earned win.

Best players for Hahndorf with coaches comments:

3 Grace - Scored two goals from intelligent positioning behind the defenders. Always finds players with her passes, and uses her voice well.

2 Callum - Some really excellent crosses from out wide to set up a nice goal. Played up wing effectively considering it’s his first time on the side.

1 Ivy - Excellent effort all day (was the only player sweating!) and pressured players even when she knew she wouldn’t reach the ball in time.
 

This week the Warriors were up against Torrens Valley at home on a lovely, sunny day. The score definitely did not reflect the Warrior's performance in the first half, who despite dominating possession and having six attempts, were unable to secure a goal. They moved the ball around well, and man of the match James Lunnon gracefully moved the ball up the wing to get it back into our half many times. Sidney Cotton came painfully close to scoring several times, Dominic Silvestri hit the post following a long pass from Mack Olssen with inches to spare and midfielder Israel Maxwell even had a go which the goalie unfortunately intercepted.

Torrens were lucky to get their first goal soon after, but Woodside took it on the chin and kept pushing on. The low score in  the first half reflected the strength of Woodside's defence and doggedness to retain possession.

In the second half, Sid moved into goal. Torrens played a harder game managing to get two more goals past us, but Sid saved many more. Eddie Moylan supplied Dom who popped in our first and only goal, which was a welcome morale boost.

Despite the defeat, the Warriors walked off the pitch happy with their performance and will continue to hone their skills in training to get the most out of what has been a tough debut in first division, but definitely a great opportunity to learn how to be play as a team and be resilient.

It may be winter, but it felt like a fresh spring day. the last time these two met it was a close game and the score was no reflection of the battle waging on the pitch.

The Rams were in good spirits and they were playing a team that matched them with skills and size. The ball went from end to end with both goalkeepers getting their share of shots on goal to save, the mid field were taking control and using the wings wisely, but the attackers could not break through the strong defence. Finally, near the end of the first half the Rams converted a chance with a deflection. The score was 1-0 at the end of the half.

The second half and the Rams had their heads up high and felt in control Ben Kramer got the ball in the midfield from a goal kick and was able to clear it wide to Sam Peplinski who ran it up the line and got the cross just right for Adam Straus to slot it in. The warriors got their chance and they made no mistake with a breakaway through the defence and a one on one shot with the Goalkeeper whose effort was not enough to stop the bullet strike. As the game drew to its end the game opened up for Tye Foster to run up the left and set up a cross for Cooper Mugford to run through and convert a final goal. With a final score of 3-1.

once again, the score did not really tell the story, the warriors were in the game and made the Rams work for every pass and drive into attack, it was an exciting skilful game with plenty for the spectators to cheers about.

This Saturday's u14 Div 2 game saw Strathalbyn play Mt Barker Red in front of a large crowd for the Strathalbyn Strikers Sponsors Day.

Scoring started early this time for Mt Barker and the Strikers soon became aware that Mt Barker needed the points from a win and were going to play their hardest.

With plenty of action throughout the game it was left to attrition and speed to attain the victory for Strathalbyn with their midfield controlling much of the forward momentum and again some great defending from Strathalbyn.

Fortunately for Strathalbyn, their strikers were able to break through Mt Barkers defense and secure their teams place in the next round.

Final score:

Strathalbyn 6 - Mt Barker 3

Last Saturday, Murray Bridge United U14 Blue travelled up the Hills to be hosted by Woodside Warriors U14 Blue. The match pitted two evenly matched teams against one another and promised to deliver a tight and entertaining tussle. It delivered!

Right from the outset the ball surged from end to end. Both sides created opportunities as they pushed the ball long, through the defensive line, to threaten on goal. But just as each team looked certain to score, they were denied by the persistence and determination of their opponents. Whether it was the defence denying their opposition free passage, or the cavalry, in the form of the midfielders, raging back to cover, both sides maintained a clean sheet for the majority of the first half. Eventually the deadlock was broken as Bridge fired a terrific corner into the box. After a brief melee for the ball they shot at the net, only to be denied again by a Warriors boot clearing the ball off the line. But the ball didn’t clear the box, landing in traffic and pin-balling around the danger-zone. Eventually, the Warriors back-men did clear the ball, but not before the referee found a hand-ball from somewhere in the congestion. Depending on the natural bias of the spectators, this decision was viewed as either a fifty-fifty call and good reward for getting the ball in front of goal, or dubious-at-best. But the call stood, and to the credit of all present, not a single player or spectator openly questioned the decision. The penalty was executed with deadly precision, giving the goal keeper no chance to pull off a miracle. The rest of the half proceeded without further score and Bridge carried a 1 – nil lead into the break.

In the second half, the tight and even tussle continued with renewed vigour and intent. Bridge had come out firing and looked intent to extend their lead. But the Warriors were living up to their namesake, rising to the challenge and showing a resolute determination to equalise and then strive for victory. Perhaps the most pleasing sight for the Warriors’ fans was to see the improvement from some of the newer members of the squad. In their previous encounter, several young Warriors had been forced to play in a team of ten men, as AHJSA commitments had removed many of the leaders from their ranks. But from this adversity had come new strength. Adversity had introduced these young men to themselves, and they were now aware of the courage that lay within. This self-belief, borne in the discomfort of defeat, saw the young and less experienced Warriors defending well above their station. They refused to go down a second goal and repelled every effort that was levered against them. At the other end of the park, their hearts burned with fury as they strove for the net. And finally, after numerous raids, they successfully goaled through a beautifully timed strike from well out. Another new player to the team had made a telling contribution, this time on the scorecard. Both sides lifted again on the back of this goal! To see such effort and determination from the young men and women on the ground was an inspiration. And the future of the game seems bright. But neither team could supress the will of their opponents for the remainder of the match and the game finished as a 1 all draw, a fair result for two such evenly matched teams. 

The U14 Woodside Red team were finally back together after a week where four were missing due to the FFSA State Identification Program. Throw in a school holiday break, a couple of weeks where training was called off due to rain and a couple of losses to some quality sides in Division 1, and it felt like it had been a long time since the team was out in full force. Their return saw them face Hahndorf Soccer Club at Woodside, their last home game for the season.

The last time the two teams faced each other was interesting. After a slow start by Woodside Hahndorf was only a goal behind at half time, 2-3. Woodside then went out to dish out a second half which fell in their favour. The end result was 2-8. As seemed to be the case in that game, and with all of Woodside Red's games in general, they have one strong half coupled with a weak one, and in no particular order. All team members and coach was in agreeance with this as an assessment prior to their second match against Hahndorf.

This time around there was no mistake. Whilst the game kicked off on time, Woodside didn't really get underway until the 11th minute when TOBY VINCENT cleared Hahndorf's keeper. By half time Woodside brought their total to 5-0 with a couple of goals by JETT TONKIN and singles from AIDEN SUTTON and CHRISTIAN FRANCIS, in that order.

The second half saw the momentum from the home team grow with an additional 10 goals to their name. TOMMAS BALACCO, who normally holds a strong right-back position, was granted some time in the left-midfield where he converted from a curling long rang strike at goals. CHRIS COLLINS, who normally holds a strong centre-back position, sunk a penalty, his first for the season. The game ended 15-0 in favour of Woodside.

Notable performances from Sutton, AILBHE BIFFEN and Balacco saw the coaches picks in that order.

"If you're a sportsperson, no matter the game, you've no doubt tasted both the success of a heavy victory, or the bitterness of a heavy defeat", said Coach BRUCE TONKIN post-game. "What makes a good sportsperson is to not let either get to your head. Hahndorf's U14 Division 1 team is a shining example of the latter. They started the day the same as they ended it. Happy to be there and not wanting to be anywhere else. Congratulations to both team and Coach. Good luck next season!"

In the next round Hahndorf will take on Strathalbyn White at Pine Avenue, whilst Woodside will travel to Anembo to play 2nd placed Mount Barker United.

Another beautiful winter's day to be out playing the 'Beautiful Game'.

A change of venue owing to pitch conditions at Anembo Park took us to Cornerstone College to see the clash of the top two teams in the 2019 Div 1 U14 League. The venue was ready, the boys were all set and it was all Go from the first whistle.

Both teams had a fair share of the ball with end to end play, a little scrappy at first until both teams settled into their stride. SUFC took the control of play with Ky Henry and Toby Leigh moving the ball fast and consistently up the wing until the first shot on goal by either team in the 12th minute went high for Araby Phelan. Cue the onslaught of continued pressure on the Mt Barker boys for shots on target and excellent saves from their in-form Keeper.

The 24th Minute saw the breakthrough for SUFC when a free kick from Henry Monaghan delivered with precision to Araby Phelan for a double shimmy around two defenders, a strike to the top LHS side and back of the net, Goal! SUFC coach Sheridan happy with the break through, shouts 'Top Drawer'!

Within two minutes a penalty was won and Joe Doyle calmly taps it in for a 2:0 lead just before half time.

The seconf half brough both teams out ready to fight, again a evenly matched end to end physical game with no addtional goals but plenty of chances from both sides. Some lovely first touch football by all players and it's always a pleasure to watch these to well coached teams play hard and fair against each other. A frantic final 5 mins had multiple SUFC players pepper the goal mouth yet again to be denied by the keeper, the post and the final whistle.

All credit to Mt Barker to keep SUFC to the lowest score of their season.

SUFC will top the table again this week and look forward to the final few games of the 2019 season

 

Heading into the last few games every game counts. This round Woodside travelled to Strathalbyn to take on the second placed Strikers. It was a good day for it and saw Woodside's first choice keeper come back in from injury. While young Jayden from U14's also took to the field so that we had a full team. Both teams played well in the first half and seemed to pull the best out of each other. Lots of good passing and the game had a good atmosphere to it. Woodside's backline was tested early and made some good saves. Strathalbyn hitting the post and missing by the nearest of margins. But eventually a well placed through ball pulled off to take the lead. Strath went into the half time break 2-0 up but it was still an even game in posession. Strathalbyn scored early in the second half from a beautiful cross that pierced Woodside's defence and got onto a striker to put it in at the back post. Woodside were down 3-0 but still playing good football but just needed to get the finishes on target. They managed to score a scrappy goals as the keeper fumbled it out of his hands while Woodside's striker swooped in to hit the scoreboard. The pressure was mounting and Woodside scored a second after a brilliant run through the middle Toby was able to get the difference to one goal. The last 20 minutes of the game was intense and saw opportunities from both sides. The tension grew and in the last 5 minutes it was Woodside who were able to equalise. It was a brilliant game from both teams and high class football. Woodside can hold their heads up high going into the last few games and challenge for top three.

Hahndorf Under 16s were back at Pine Avenue to host Murray Bridge. The last time these two teams met, it was a close encounter and the Hahndorf team were looking for a home win. Hahndorf’s Jack Anderson found the back of the net within 2 minutes of the start and Tully Probert, Jack Eakins and Alex Montagu stopped Murray Bridge’s forwards a number of times before Hahndorf scored again, this time off a corner kick by Micah Edgecombe and Eakins headed the ball past Murray Bridge’s keeper to make in 2 nil. Murray Bridge responded with a long kick, which beat Hahndorf’s keeper James Bagley before Hahndorf quickly responded with another goal by Anderson off a slick pass by Eakins. Murray Bridge scored again just before half time and Hahndorf were 3-2 up at the end of the half. The second half was a hard-fought contest between two very competitive teams and Hahndorf’s Eddie Hardingham narrowly missed a header from a well-placed corner kick. At the other end, Eakins defended a Murray Bridge shot at goal and headed it just over the crossbar. Murray Bridge continued to push forward but were stopped by some great defensive play by Josh Rayner, David Nielsen, Probert and Eakins. Hahndorf’s Jackson Doley, Jamie Hamilton and Xavier Kell had plenty of the ball but the forwards could not find the back of the net. Murray Bridge equalised deep into the second half and were awarded a penalty with less than a minute to go, which they scored and the referee blew the whistle to end a very entertaining game. Murray Bridge walked away with a very hard-fought 4-3 victory.

27 July 2019

Hahndorf U17G v Stirling Districts

Hahndorf U17 girls were away to Stirling Districts in their U17 clash on Saturday afternoon. The two teams have met several times already this season with bragging rights going both ways, so a competitive game was to be expected.

From the outset both teams had the mindset of playing an attacking game. In a very energetic opening to the contest, play went from one end of the field to the other in a constant manner, which was terrific as all the players on the field were involved in the game.

Key attacking forwards for Hahndorf, Freya Roberts and Monique Bessen were both outstanding in driving the ball forward from their respective right and left sides of the pitch. The hard work payed off with the opening goal coming for Hahndorf from one of these trademark raids, with Kiora Hemmings then putting the ball into the back of the net.

Not to be outdone, Stirling responded in quick time from a powerful strike to level the scores. From that point both teams went on a goal scoring tit for tat play, with Sophie Gray, Teliah Shepherdson and Libby Hewitt all scoring goals for the home side. Hard work from Gemma Doyle and Hemmings created opportunities that resulted in a half time scoreline of 4-3 in Hahndorf’s favour.

With the goals flowing, it was a busy day for the defensive players, and Hahndorf’s backline of Molly Kell, Charlotte Nielsen, Jozzie Pitt and Arwen De Pree worked tirelessly to thwart Stirling from scoring on many occasions.  Stirling’s defence also worked hard to prevent further scores against them, with some amazing saves by keeper   

The second half of the game started with the look of a result going either way. Hahndorf held the advantage, but Stirling were looking dangerous continuing from where they had left off in the first half.

Goal keeper for Hahndorf, Violet Elston, who along with her twin sister Rose backed up from playing the previous U13s game, was outstanding in saving the many shots from the opposition.

With great efforts coming from Siena Epstein in defence and Sterre De Pree and Rose Elston in the mid field, as well as the Hahndorf defence proving difficult to break through, the game was turned in Hahndorf’s favour with further goals from Roberts and Bessen, ably assisted by Charlotte Hodgson on the flanks.

As the clock ticked down both sides were understandably worn out and to their credit, all players kept up a very high standard right to the end, highlighted by Stirling taking a consolation goal in the 79th minute via the boot of Madeleine Adams, to see a final score line of 7-4 in Hahndorf’s favour.