Match report

Match report

A wonderful day welcomed both teams to Woodside. With the start of another season both teams had made changes to their lineups from the 2020 season, with Districts Blue seeming a much more formidable team.

For the first five minutes it was an even tussle with both teams applying pressure to find that opening goal. Woodside continued to pass the ball around and when an opportunity presented itself the left midfield took a long range shot and found the back of the net. Stirling Districts shifted gears and applied their own pressure on the Woodside defence. The Warriors defence managed to stand tall and repel their opponents but with the continued pressure something had to give. Blue through their hard work and pressure managed to grab its opportunity when a poor clearance by Woodside landed at a Districts player's feet who expertly slotted it home to tie the game. Woodside continued to work hard and again scored from long range from the left. Both teams then knew this would be a tight contest and for the remainder of the half fought to gain the upper hand but each team's defence stood strong, repelling attacks and stopping any opportunity for another goal. The half concluded with Woodside in front by a solitary goal but Stirling still had the opportunity to take control of the game in the second half and Woodside had to be careful.

The second half started as the first had finished with both teams trying to find their next goal. Woodside started to apply more pressure down both wings and when finally a cross from the right found the striker's head, it was headed past the keeper. Woodside increased its tempo again and started to apply the pressure on the Districts' defence who struggled to get the ball out of their defensive third. When Stirling did manage to get it out Woodside’s midfield were first to the ball and sent the ball back into attack. With so much pressure now being applied by Woodside, Stirling's keeper was kept busy and made many great saves to deny their opponents a fourth goal. When a penalty was given, Stirling's keeper held his ground and made a good save again denying Woodside. With still 30 minutes left of the game Stirling Districts continued to pressure to find their next goal but when Woodside’s central defender stopped a Stirling Districts attack just outside their defensive 18 yard box he found himself with space down the right and started a new attack. After a one two with a team mate, he still had not been challenged and seeing a gap in the defence took the ball into their 18 yard box and scored Woodside’s fourth for the day. Woodside continued to apply pressure but Stirling’s keeper and defence stood strong. As the game was coming to an end another penalty was given and Woodside’s left midfielder took the spot kick and scored his third for the game. That's how the game finished with Woodside taking all the points but Stirling should be commended for their defensive efforts under the continued pressure special mention should be made to their keeper who managed to save many more than got through.