Match report

Match report

There was no cross town rivalry as occurs in most derbies when Woodside Blue played their friends and past teammates the Woodside Red team on Saturday. There were just two teams out to demonstrate good football skills and determination and that’s what the spectators saw from beginning to end.

With a number of games at the Warriors home ground the start was moved forward 30 minutes to ensure that the teams could play on the main pitch before the Senior fixture.

The Woodside Warrior Blue team had much to be cautious about as the Reds have proven that if they are given opportunities then they can certainly score goals and make it a tight tussle. The start of the game and much of the first half was indeed a tussle with both teams having good passages of plays in their attacking end. The Reds quick movement and speed upfront put pressure on the Blues defense but they stood up to the task again and again. Likewise their opponents were strong in defense matching the run of the Blues wingers and applying pressure at the right times to stop shots on goal. After a well contested 20 minutes Woodside Blue finally found some space and scored the opening goal, but the Reds were not to be denied and after breaking through the defense the Reds center forward slotted the ball home to draw the game. Woodside Red continued to defend well catching the Blues off side numerous times but as the half was coming to a close the Blues managed another goal. At the end of the first half Woodside Blue 2, Woodside Red 1.

The Blues started off the better in the second half with a much more measured level of play. Playing into the wind they started to find feet and space behind their opponent's defense creating more opportunities in front of goals. It was still 20 minutes into the second half before another goal was scored, this time the Blues Centre forward found a little space and slotted his first of three for the afternoon home. The other two came soon after and the Blues finally were finding their target players up front. The Blues though started to lose their shape and the Reds stepped up their pressure in defense clearing the ball through the midfield and onto their attackers. This had the Blues defense scrambling on numerous occasions but the back four managed to close down their opponents and clear the ball back up to their midfielders. For the remainder of the game the Blues midfield found their shape and worked hard scoring the last three goals of the game. The final score was Woodside Blue 8, Woodside Red 1.

At the end of the game Woodside Blue had come away with another win but their opponents should be commended for their efforts from start to finish. Playing with just 11 players they demonstrated the Woodside Warrior spirit.