Match report

Season Date Round Venue
2021 U12 3rd July 12:30pm League Round 12 MB Beatty Tce
Goals
s. schulz (12'), w. Huntley (14'), M. Beekman (24'), M. Beekman (36')

Best
M. Hacqoul (1st), S. Colla (2nd), J. Jones (3rd)
Goals
d. chol (11')

Best
N/A
Match report

After juggling the fixtures to get everyone out on the pitch Murray Bridge U12 Gold hosted Woodside Warriors under a sunny-cloudy-windy-wet-sunny… skies for a Round 12 Battle Royale. It was the second time that these two teams have faced off, and after The Epic of Round 7 the atmosphere was thicker than Wimbledon’s famous clotted cream. But if the youngsters were feeling the pressure, they didn’t let it show. It was all smiles and laughter before the match and steely eyed focus when the whistle was blown and white-line-fever took over.

 

Woodside started strongly, constructing several well-devised attacking raids and setting camp deep in enemy territory for extended periods of time. But each raid was well-thwarted by a very structured and disciplined Bridge Backline, who jockeyed well, claimed possession and cleared without flaw for nearly fifteen minutes. This enable them to hack the ball long, behind the Woodside line to threaten at the other end. But Woodside too looked organised in defense. Each long-ball was mopped up with the efficiency of a Gringotts goblin, steered wide and cleared to a team-mate in a better position. With both sides defending so well, this was going to be a tight and enthralling contest. It was Woodside who cracked first – on the 10-minute mark, Murray Bridge attacked down the right. Woodside stepped forward to challenge and deny safe passage. This stalled the raid and Red and Blue shirts flooded back to fill the space, but Bridge pushed on, finding a chink in the armor to penetrate into the corner and force a cross into traffic. Woodside looked to have it covered but a beautifully timed right-foot shot was threaded through the eye of the needle to evade the unsighted keeper – very nice!

 

Bridge were elated, the Warriors unphased. A very proud Woodside coach watched on as his chargers did their thing – they responded – something unwanted had happened, it was bad and uncomfortable, but what mattered was what they did next! Within a minute they had hit back by lifting their focus, increasing their pressure on the ball and working for their mates. These efforts combined to yield a deft pass to space, a great run down the right, a push behind the line, a touch to steady and a drive past the keeper – lovely!

 

From the ensuing kick-off Woodside managed to reclaim possession, control the ball and score again. This time, their left forward found a sliver of space within range to score his first goal off his unfavored left foot.

 

Having taken and then lost the lead in such short time, Bridge to took a moment to settle, but they did, gaining composure to reaffirm their solidity through the back-four. This kept Woodside at bay, and when they won the ball, they sent it long to create pressure in their attacking half. But Woodside was gradually becoming the dominant force, creating 18 shots on goal for the match to Murray Bridge’s five. Two more of these found their mark. The first, before the break, through individual determination and composure in front of goal. The second, after the break, through teamwork, structured attacking and clean passing.

 

Woodside’s front three played fantastically and earnt their accolades for putting the ball in the net, their midfield was disciplined in attack and phenomenal in cover defense and their back four were resolute – they met their opponents when needed, they dropped at the necessary moment to deny Bridge any clean ball behind the line and they cleared with lucid purpose.  Team-effort was required to overcome Bridge today, and the young Warriors from up the Hill delivered in spades. This was a great contest, played in the spirit of joy and fair play and enjoyed by all.

 

Jasper Jones
Photographer: Jacqui Knipe

Cody Hill and Mitchell Beekman sportsmanship
Photographer: Jacqui Knipe

Charli Knipe
Photographer: Jacqui Knipe

Rocket Woman Charli Knipe
Photographer: Jacqui Knipe

Scott Schulz
Photographer: Jacqui knipe

Max Armstrong
Photographer: Jacqui Knipe