Match report

Match report

When Woodside Warriors U15 travelled to the Summit to tackle Mt Barker, they were greeted by a number of unfamiliar faces in the home side. It was unclear to the visitors where these players had come from, but they certainly made their impact felt during a brutal encounter between two very willing sides.

The last time these two sides met, the game ended in one of Mt Barker’s notorious draws (they’ve had 4 this season). Both sides wanted to go one better this time but it was Mt Barker who drew first blood, catching the Warriors napping outside their box to send a rocket into the back of the net from 30 yards out. It was a horror start for the visitors to go down a goal in the third minute of play, but they steeled themselves on the back of it and got on with things. From there, the game became a tough, physical encounter, with neither side willing to give quarter. Mt Barker dominated play for extended periods in the first half, but the Warriors stood true to their name, fighting desperately in their own half, pressing all-comers and keeping their nest clean. Eventually Barker did break through, finding the back of the net from a corner. This was to become an Achilles heel for Woodside through the course of the game with the visitors a head shorter than their opponents across the board. But despite giving away a considerable size advantage, Woodside fought like terriers to keep the score two – nil at half time.

After the break, Woodside came out fighting. They were defending with purpose, winning the ball and controlling it with a beautiful mix of short and long passing that repeatedly put them deep into enemy territory. But the majority of these raids were brought to a premature end through disciplined defensive work and/or outstanding goal keeping. The Barker keeper was not only a thorn in the Warriors’ sides when forced to make a save, but was exceptional outside his box, clearing several dangerous balls that the visitors sent into attack. The turn around in fortunes for the Warriors was highlighted by a ten-minute period in which they manufactured four shots on target, while their opponents struggled to get within range. And there were times when the crowd thought a comeback was a very real possibility. The middle of the second half saw the ball flying frantically from end to end as 22 players desperately tried to gain their side the ascendency. But as quickly as Woodside had wrested momentum their way, it suddenly swung away from them. After 32 minutes without a goal in the second half, Mt Barker forced another corner. The ball sailed powerfully into the box, found a Barker chest, dropped to the ground, was cleared into someone’s back, bobbled, was cleared into another red shirt and eventually hacked into the net. It was a cruel blow to the Warriors, but just reward for a Mt Barker side who can scrap with the best of them. This one hurt the Warriors, who until now had backed themselves to at least close the gap, if not draw or win the contest. Suddenly their legs looked heavier, their decision making seemed tired. A couple of clearances were sent back into the middle of the pitch, where the Red and Blue were now a step short of the ball. And in the final three minutes of play, three quick goals broke Woodside hearts and flattered the home side on the scorecard. It was a brutal end to a tough match. As the two sides came together to shake hands, there was blood on knees and bruises from shoulder to toe, but they shook hands, shouted some cheers and the Warriors looked forward to facing their foe again and the chance for retribution.