Match report

Match report

NON COMPETITIVE TEAMS - Under 11

Saturday 30th April - Round 1

We were lucky to start out the season with a home match at our hallowed ground at Pine avenue. The weather was a bit temperamental at the start with some cloud cover and some sun shine, but it was the perfect temperature to runaround on the pitch. Strath were short on players so the match was played as 8v8 to keep things fair.

Hahndorf started out very strong moving the ball down the pitch with some great footwork and passing between Ashon Broadbent-Shaw, Thomas Gould and Hugo Curtis in midfield and forward players. The multiple passes between the Hahndorf players proved to much for Strathalbyn as their defence struggled to keep up with the ball movements allowing Hahndorf's Patrick Freer and Mason Sickerdick to move the ball into their forward half and convert their brilliant passage of play on more than one occasion.

Strathalbyn were able to gain some control of the play and put pressure on Hahndorf’s defence, but Eli Parkyn and Oliver Ramsey, along with Alice Cannavo, held Hahndorf’s defence to ward off their attacks and get the ball back to the midfield where they took control of the play again and convert the passage’s of play that were started by the Hahndorf defensive team. Strathalbyn did not give up and pushed into their forward half more and more putting pressure on Hahndorf’s defence. But not through the lack of trying they were unable to convert these attacking forward plays.

At the half time break Strathalbyn lost 2 of their players who had to go and play more soccer elsewhere. But in the spirit of the game and to keep the match alive 2 Hahndorf players, Curtis and Gould, went over to the Strath team to make up the numbers. Strathalbyn came out strong in the second half putting pressure on Hahndorf’s defence from the get go. Hahndorf’s Lachlan Gardner and Cohen Whinfield worked hard to push the ball into their forward half, but it was a hard fought battle and Strathalbyn were able to keep the ball down in Hahndorf’s defence for the start of the resumed play.

Hahndorf weren’t giving any ground, Pearl Beesley, Rowan Gilroy and Jack Gaskin, were able to defend Straths attacks and prevent Strath from converting. Hahndorf found a crack in Strathalbyn’s attacks and were able to move the ball forward with more of their passing plays moving the ball from player to player and attacking in their forward half. Hahndorf with their teamwork were able to convert their forward movements after testing the Strath defence more and more.

It was a great start to the season and all the players left the pitch with smiles on their faces. It was fantastic to see the kids out on the pitch again representing their respective teams. A big shout out to all the parents, team managers and helpers. But a special thanks to the coaches and referee/ground leader who without them we wouldn’t have a match for our kids to enjoy. On the day there must always be only one winner and as usual the game of soccer wins the day!