Match report

Match report

The early match at The Fortress saw Woodside U12 hosting Murray Bridge Gold under clear skies. Playing conditions were as close to perfect as you can get – a slight chill in the air, without being cold, a track that was firm, without being hard. And although all-comers anticipated a hard, tight match, non-one expected the epic that was about to unfold…

Right from the outset Woodside settled into a style of play more oft observed at the highest levels of the game. Balls were being cleared through feet from defense – then played back when needed, players were moving to space, passes were finding feet – every run, pass and cross was made with a clear and palpable purpose and not a single player was playing for self. The words may be getting repetitive, but watching Woodside for the first twenty minutes of this encounter really did remind those in attendance of why it is known in 210 countries across the globe as the Beautiful Game. Put simply, it was pleasure to behold. And so it may sound a contradiction that while Woodside was putting on this silky demonstration of finesse football that Murray Bridge goaled not once, but three times. Yes, the subtle beauty of football is that there is more than one way to play the game. And what Bridge did, they did well! Their backs fought like tigers, hacked their way out of trouble and cleared the ball long. And when it got through the Woodside defensive wall and speed and finish was the order of play, speed and finish Bridge had! So while Woodside had created 5 shots on goal to Bridge’s 3, it was Bridge sitting pretty on the scorecard. What Woodside was doing wasn’t quite working for them and they would need to find another way to the finish line if they wanted to get there first. Luckily for them they had the answer, their sweeper adopted a permanent tagging role, manning the highly accomplished Murray Bridge Striker and annulling his influence. But even with this constant threat partially nullified the Warriors still had a mountain range to scale and time was becoming the enemy. To their credit, they never budged from their selfless play. No-one tried to do it alone…  Desperate, ambitious shots were refused in favor of control and patience… They played for their mates – their team – trying to pass through the line when they could and using the space out wide when the inside path was blocked. Finally, on the very stroke of half-time they goaled to bring themselves onto the foothills. But ahead the mountain range still loomed large. And the only way over was up.

Lit from within by a fire of determination and will, Woodside surged off their line in the second half, goaling in the first minute – one down, two to go if they wanted to lead. Still Woodside stuck to their task, choosing structure and teamwork. Still Bridge refused to yield, defending with relentless intent and countering with fire and fury. The determination of the home side was unmistakable and unwavering. But Bridge hit back, this time fighting their way through a box full of traffic to extend their lead again. Still Woodside would not relent their continuous  assault. Not only were they executing their plan, they believed in it. Despite scoreboard evidence to the contrary, they believed with their very hearts that this was the way to complete their task. With 20 to go they scored to bring the gap to one. With 16 on the clock they drew level. With nine to go they stuck their noses in front for the first time in the match. But could they hang on? Bridge thought not! They’d driven 45 minutes to get here, damned if they weren’t going to play for the full 60! Both sides fought with grit and courage for the final 9 minutes but neither could find the back of the net. Finally the ref blew her whistle thrice and 22 tired bodies slumped with exhaustion. In sport there has to be a winner and today it was football. Rugby may be the game they play in heaven, but I bet even up there there’s a few who find a round ball, a patch of earth, some friends and foes and revel in a kick!