Match report

Match report

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.