Match report

Match report

Undefeated ladder leaders Hahndorf U12 were hosted by the mighty Warriors for this week’s match of the day. And conditions were about as good as it gets in the Hills at this time of year – cool, clear and dry.

Hahndorf carried a well-earned air of confidence into this encounter as they fought to keep their undefeated record intact. But it was Woodside who looked more organized early – defending solidly, controlling the midfield and attacking through beautiful positional play and immaculate passing. And it wasn’t long before their hard work was rewarded, goaling after 4 minutes through an accurate cross and neat-as-a-pin finish. That jolted Hahndorf to life! And the tempo of the game lifted as Hahndorf fought back and Woodside continued their inspirational play. Watching their ball movement in the early stages of this game was like poetry, except not boring. But despite Woodside’s poetry-in-motion, Hahndorf were rock solid in defense, turning back all comers and transitioning the ball forward to create a plentitude of chances for themselves. This quickly brought the equalizer as they earned a corner and managed to hack the bobbling ball home through a crowded box. One all, only 7 minutes off the clock. But just as it looked like the scorer might be in for a busy day, both sets of defenders redoubled their efforts and showed us the value of hard work and order. For the remainder of the half both sides threw themselves into the fray as a classic demonstration of junior football was presented to the crowd. With their efforts balanced at both ends of the park, no-one could break the deadlock and we went to the break at 1 – 1. A nail-biter was building…

The second stanza opened to a fairly even state of play and neither side was able to break through for about the first 10. But as the game wore on Hahndorf took control of the midfield. Where Woodside had been able to run and transition the ball into attack in the first half, they were now finding themselves continuously under siege as every cleared ball was intercepted and returned with interest. Under such pressure something had to crack. It came in the form of a hand-ball in the box and a penalty. The Woodside sweeper actually fell over and landed on the ball with his hands – unlucky in the extreme – but reward for effort for the visitors. These things happen in life but the snide remarks of “thanks Matt” from several in black and white brought a slight tarnish to a game that was otherwise played in fairly good spirit. A desperately unlucky own-goal added to Woodside’s woes shortly after and set them a big task if they were to find a way out of this one. But they’re a tough bunch, and their coach at least was backing them in! Just one minute later Woodside again constructed a beautiful goal, their front three feeding off a well-cleared ball from the back to combine and bring the margin back to 1. Up front Woodside were dangerous, at the back they were solid, but the space in between was being dominated by the black and white. This dominance gave Hahndorf another goal with just under ten to go as a miss-timed clearance landed at Hahndorf feet. The striker, perhaps surprised to have time and space for the first time in the match, finished cleanly with a well-timed boot that found the back of the net. If the young Warriors thought two goals in 9 minutes was too hard, they didn’t show it. They looked within themselves now and tried to find another level. With desperate determination they manufactured another goal through grit and determination as their front three stuck to their structure and continued the passing style of play that truly puts them at a level beyond their years. With 6 to go they worked like dogs, mounting threatening raids at the 56 and 58 minute marks. But Hahndorf kept them out. On the 60 minute mark Woodside broke the line again and looked like they were away, but with the goal 35 meters from the ball and the refs watch beeping an unavoidable reminder that we were on-the-clock, he blew his whistle and brought proceedings to a halt. This match promised a nail biter… it delivered! Great junior football from two well-drilled units!