Match report

Match report

A couple of weeks off the pitch had seemingly minimal impact to the Woodside Warriors. Nor did it seem to make any difference to the Hahndorf team either. This was evident in their confrontation on Saturday 7th August in the 16th round of the AHJFA U17 League.

For both teams there had been no games played since Round 12. Round 13 had been postponed due to wet weather, so July 3rd was the last time results had been entered when Woodside played Rangers. For Hahndorf it goes back even further with a 2-4 loss to Murray Bridge on the 19th of June.

The two teams were bound to be rusty, but there was a whole lot of power under the hood in the two lead engines in this age group. Both had the tank to complete the 80 minute drive and both were aware that their opponents could beat them to the finish line should they relax.

Interestingly they had seen each other twice previously this season. Their first game was the first of the season and was victory for Woodside. It was unfortunate for Hahndorf as the win boosted Woodside for the season ahead. The next time they saw each other was at Woodside, where Hahndorf went home victorious. In both games neither team were ever more than a goal in the lead. The chances of it happening again were low, but would surprise no one should that style of game be repeated.

The football pitch itself was expected to be slow. Weeks of rain made sure everything was soaked. A couple of weeks off certainly helped preserve the pitch. Three quarters of it was playable, however the last quarter, particularly the northern end, was soft. The boys would soon work out the flaws and deal with it accordingly.

The game was managed under the watchful eye of experienced referee Will Tinkler. Traditionally the local referee branch (AHRB) would supply a couple of assistant referees to run the lines for a 1st vs 2nd game. They might also supply a fourth official to oversee any issues. Unfortunately referees were in high demand in this round and all assigned elsewhere.

The game kicked off at 12pm.

From kick off and for the first few minutes of play anyone would have put their bets on the away team scoring first. Hahndorf’s strikers were relentless in their attacks and they were unlucky not to open the scoreline for their team first. Instead Woodside’s forwards scored on the 8th minute. A cross from LACHLAN MOWBRAY to JETT TONKIN at the top of goal square managed to clear the reach of Hahndorf’s keeper, Edward Hardingham, who is possibly the tallest person in the association.

It wasn’t long before Hahndorf equalized as is standard of games between these two teams. A long high ball towards Woodside’s end skimmed the head of one of the defenders and into the path of Hahndorf’s Kyle Fenlon, who was unchallenged in completing the play.

By half time both Hahndorf and Woodside each received a penalty. Both were equally dubious in nature and both resulted in a goal, sending the two teams into the half time break two goals a piece.

After a switch of ends, a couple of light substitutions and a goal keeper replacement for the away team, the second half kicked off with both teams keen to finish the game in their favour.

Hahndorf owned the first goal and took the lead early. Not long after, on the 55th minute, Woodside’s Mowbray adding a second to his tally, a tricky header that impressed all spectators and leveled the scoreline.

Again, Hahndorf took the lead, adding their fourth, an impressive long range goal, well outside of the 18-yard box, clearing Woodside’s keeper. Numerous additional attempts at scoring were quickly shut down by Woodside’s strong defensive line who’s approach was to simply stand in the way of strikes. CASEY GODFREY, IZEYAH RAYMOND, ASHER HAMMAT and JOSH VASSOS were instrumental in preventing goals, often reflecting strikes into the favour of their own team.

By 60th minute, with 20 minutes of play remaining, Tonkin added his second in similar fashion to his first. Someone threaded the gap and he simply added the exclamation mark in the team’s play.

For the next ten minutes it was a head-to-head race for the finish line. Unfortunately for the away team, despite numerous suggestions from both players and supporters of the away team to not leave Mowbray to his own devices, he completed an impressive long range pass from TOBY VINCENT finished it off his head, his second header for the game.

Assistant Coach MATTHEW THODAY made the wise decision to change from a 4-3-3 formation to a 5-3-2 and moved EDDIE HERMAN back into the defensive line to see out the remainder of the game.

As such little happened in the dying minutes and allowed Woodside to end the battle, 5-4 in their favour. Some colourful language by one of the two teams and a yellow handed to a player on the other team were the only two dampeners of the spirited game.

“Woodside have had an unexpectedly successful season thus far”, said Coach BRUCE TONKIN. “With Hahndorf on the back end of their own successful 2020 season it’s great to be able to be a challenge instead of being tucked away in the lower half of the ladder. We’re a concern instead of an easy win.”

LACHLAN MOWBRAY was determined to be best and fairest, whilst JAMES RENSHAW and ISAIAH HAMMAT played a solid game.

Both Woodside and Hahndorf will now travel to Summit Sport & Recreation Park on Friday 13th which is bound to be unlucky for one of them. The following day should see Round 17 where Woodside will host Rangers and Hahndorf will host Strathalbyn, who just managed to outplay Murray Bridge 2-1.