Match report

Match report

“Best. Game. Ever.”

A predominantly older and more experienced Hahndorf U16 team hosted a seemingly ever-developing Woodside team on Saturday afternoon with some dandy spring weather

The home team, based at Pine Avenue in Hahndorf, has the luxury of a clean sheet of games for their 10 games played thus far, the only blemish going as far back as Round 1 when they drew with Murray Bridge at Beatty Terrace.

Meanwhile the away team, Woodside, have taken their time finding their feet. Their round four clash with Hahndorf  was the third loss to their name over the four games played. That was followed by light wins over Rangers and Strathalbyn followed by a small 0-1 loss against powerhouse Stirling United, then a draw against then second-placed Murray Bridge.

Despite Woodside’s recent improvement they were still very much the underdogs. No one was putting their money on a fifth placed most improved team up against a lossless ladder leader.

Woodside’s Coach, BRUCE TONKIN, arrived late from an earlier Senior’s game. He had completely underestimated the travel time between Blackwood and Hahndorf, and arrived with 10 minutes to spare before kick-off. Going straight into a pre-game discussion, he essentially wrote off all chances of a win. Even a draw was beyond comprehension.

But you don’t have to kick more goals than the opposition to win. As always the team simply set their sights on playing better football than the week before. If they could do that, if they could walk off the pitch with a deep satisfaction that they did everything they could, then they were never going to lose, regardless of what it says on the score board.

Woodside took to the pitch with Captain ASHER HAMMAT opting to go downhill to start with.

From kick-off Hahndorf seemed relaxed whilst Woodside was determined. Either approach can be the basis for a win. In this case determination came through with the goods and, in the 5th minute, Woodside’s TOBY VINCENT sunk the first goal of the day after a solid pass from JETT TONKIN.

An early 1-0 lead, with 75 minutes of remaining play, is certainly nothing to get excited about though.

A mere ten minutes later Woodside’s youngest player delivered their second goal of the game. EDDIE HERMAN, who was 13 years old at the start of the year and subsequently qualifies for U14, has had a very exciting season being the team’s highest goal scorer.

Being 2-0 up with 25 minutes of play in the first half was never going to sit well for the away team. Hahndorf has the ability to turn things around rather suddenly as they did in the second half the last time they played them.

On the 34th minute, TOBY VINCENT delivered his second and Woodside’s third goal for the day. Vincent, with his trademark style of play, lends himself as a forward. However he has been rather unfortunate with numerous misses over the season. A quick mid-week focused training session with Assistant Coach, MATT THODAY, returned his confidence. It was unfortunate Thoday wasn’t there to witness it.

With Hahndorf rattled, down 3 goals against a significantly lower-level team, Woodside Coach took the opportunity to rest defender JOSH VASSOS. Replacing him was TOMMAS BALACCO who was probably content watching the game from the sidelines, went out onto the pitch cold.

Hahndorf player KYLE FENLON, seizing the opportunity via some quality assistance from ANGUS MASON, pocketed a goal with two minutes of play remaining in the first half.

By half time the scores were 3-1 in Woodside’s favour.

Whilst Hahndorf disappeared into their change rooms, the half time talk by Woodside Coach very much consisted of the fact that the game isn’t over and that the opposition would enter another 40 minutes with the steep gradient of the Hahndorf pitch falling in their favour. The younger Woodside boys would certainly feel it whilst the Hahndorf lot would utilise it.

But the second half finished scoreless by both teams. Hahndorf challenged Woodside’s defenders but could never convert. Woodside had the higher possession but could never convert. Woodside’s TOMMAS BALACCO enjoyed some time up the front, whilst IZEYAH RAYMOND played out his last game in almost every position possible.

In a sour note for the home team the game finished with XAVIER KELL stretchered off with an injury. The injury, not inflicted by any Woodside player, has been an ongoing issue for Kell over the season. Woodside wishes him well for his recovery.

The scoreline remained, 3-1 in favour of the away team, one goal short of BILLY WILSON’s dad’s eager and somewhat unbelievable prediction of 4-1.

“Best. Game. Ever.”, stated Woodside Coach BRUCE TONKIN post-game. “The boys utilised two mistakes made by Hahndorf, which was in line with the halves. In the first half it was clear that most of them were suffering from the dreaded c-word – complacency. They simply weren’t expecting a refined opposition determined to outclass them in every way possible. In the second half their morale dropped, something they hadn’t been challenged on this season. With the slope in their favour, up against a team their junior, they could have easily delivered a couple of goals in the second. They will have learned and they’ll no doubt be solid over their remaining games because of it. Either way the season is more than likely theirs, so congratulations is in order.”

There wasn’t one Woodside player not deserving of an accolade for the game, although keeper SAM HERMAN had little to do. JAMES RENSHAW held his own when replacing CHRIS COLLINS. MASON DUNOW delivered quality as expected. ISAIAH HAMMAT showed promise. AIDEN SUTTON having had a week off came out firing as well.

But, drum roll please, BENJAMIN BAILES collected the best and fairest nomination for the game. Under pressure his play was always clean and calculated. IZEYAH RAYMOND delivered a notable performance, whilst TOBY VINCENT played an integral part of the victory.

In the next round Woodside will have a rest with a BYE whilst  Hahndorf will take on Rangers at Ashton Oval.