Match report

Match report

In a lockdown-delayed round 15 clash,  the Mt Barker U12s travelled to Bradwood Park to lock horns with the top-of-the-table Stirling Districts Blue.
Although this game wouldn't effect ladder standings - Mt Barker secured 3rd last week, and Stirling has had a near-flawless run this season - there was still plenty to play for. The home team was looking to boost their mind-boggling +56 Goal Difference (in which they had conceded just 11 goals against current U12 teams - 3 of these against Mt Barker), and the visitors were going to give it a red hot crack at causing an upset.

Right from kick-off, the home team stamped their authority on the game, showing spectators why they hold top spot on the ladder; creating countless raids down the wing and into the Barker goal box, finding the back of the net multiple times in the opening 20 minutes. The relentlessness of the Districts attack stunned the Crusaders, who struggled to get the ball into their attacking half in the opening 30 minutes. Credit must go to the Barker Goalie in Green - our calculators broke trying to tally the number of saves he made.
Going into half-time, the young Reds had a mountain to climb: their opponents had amassed 6 goals so far.
"Focus on your own game. If you play your best soccer, you can be happy with yourselves, no matter the scoreline at the end of the match."
These were the words shared by the Barker coach at half-time. With some further encouragement of "we're doing well" from the Crusaders captain,  the young Reds went out with intent and determination in the second half. And what a half of football it was...

It began much like the first half - Stirling charged into the box and scored in the opening 5 minutes. Spectators thought it was about to get really messy, but the visitors were having none of it. 
The Barker defence started repelling raids. The midfield started chaining some passes together. The strikers started to stir in the forward half. Momentum was shifting...
Going back to the style of play they know best, Mt Barker began to utilise the lethal through ball to create scoring chances. And when the Reds start connecting through balls, and when they put 2 of their quickest players up front, opposition defenders are in for a tough time.
So it was that a through ball found the feet of a Crusader, who, as he has done so often, tore past the defence and slotted one past the Stirling 'keeper. 1-7.
It took a single minute for the Reds to find their second; another through ball to another striker, who was taken down in the box and received a penalty. Despite the 'keeper diving the right way, the young Red hit the shot with enough power and precision to find the back of the net. 2-7. There was still a mountain to climb, but the visitors had set up base camp!
Mere minutes after their second goal, the Crusaders went forward again. The speedy striker found himself in the box, then found himself on the ground, as a pair of hands from the home team collided with his back. The referee called play-on, leaving the visitors feeling a bit hard done by. The referees at this level dont have  the luxury of a VAR though, and the split-second decisions are often difficult to make.
In the closing minutes of the match, Stirling scored again, ending the contest with a 6-goal victory.
Mt Barker knew that their effort in the second half was nothing short of incredible, and they congratulated each other for sticking with it, even as the opponents' tally rose. "If we can work on our first half next week, we'll give ourselves every chance of causing an upset," said the coach to the squad, after the game. "Even if we are a few [goals] down at the break, we now know that we can challenge any team in the second half."
"We played well,. We should be happy with that second half," agreed the captain.

R. Martin received the Crusaders player of the match for his excellent defensive pressure against the superfast Stirling wingers. B Curran received a mention for running rings around the home teams defence and getting the Reds on the scoresheet; and T Honner had a notable game, jockeying well and stringing together some great passes out of the midfield.

These two teams will play each other again in the final round of the season, and Mt Barker hopes to make strong preparations for that match during their upcoming midweek training session.

The final game will be at the Summit Sport and Recreation Park, at 9am on Saturday the 4th of September. And then..? Carnival time!