Match report

Match report

It was a cold and blustery day for the Warriors to meet with the Stirling Blue team. The Warriors were missing 3 players and had played a catch-up game the night before, so were looking tired but oh so determined.
It was Cooper’s voice directing his defensive team that first came to notice as the game commenced with fast play from both teams.
The Stirling team made multiple attempts to reach the Warrior’s goal but were beautifully shut down by Josh (Bob) in right defence.
Stirling then changed tactics and tried the left but again had strong opposition from both Flynn and Maya.
The consistent defensive team worked well together applying pressure to force errors from the Stirling team so that their shots at the Warrior’s goal were unable to score.
Some excellent passing from defence through Sam, Lysianne and George led to opportunities in attack but the Warriors were unable to achieve a goal. Several attempts from Riley and Ryan for a goal we’re defended by the Stirling team.
A corner from Stirling was brilliantly defended by a punch from Banjo above the heads of the other players and a goal was saved.
Unfortunately a few minutes later the Stirling team fought their way through the Warrior’s defence for a goal. Sadly this was quickly followed up by a second.
Despite the fantastic combined efforts of Ruby, Maya and Flynn in left defence the Stirling team managed to find the back of the net again for a third Stirling goal.
In the last moments of the first half, the Warriors lifted their heads up and fought valiantly to get the ball through the middle of the pitch with Bradley, Riley and then to Ryan who managed a fantastic curving shot at the Stirling goal that sadly struck the post, but gave the Stirling team an insight into what a determined Warriors team could do.
The second half was emotive and fiercely passionate. Both teams keen and ready to step up the play. The Warriors had greater control of the ball and at times their passing skills had the Stirling team running in circles to keep up.
Stirling managed a goal early in the second half. Then a corner for Woodside led to a delightful header from Ryan that almost gave the Warriors a goal, so very close. After that the Warriors lifted their tired legs again and the play was in the Stirling half more as the Warriors fought hard, leading to a free kick for the Warriors at goal. The Stirling team built ‘the wall’ and the kick from the Woodside player was defended first by the face of one of the Stirling players, then the torso and legs of the same player in a closely fought battle for control of the ball.
Stronger attacking play from Woodside saw Maya and George with some deft passing and multiple assists for Ryan and Riley in attack. Sam stuck limpet-like to the Stirling no. 12, and continued strong and solid defence from Bob, Cooper and Ruby was lovely to watch.
Multiple calls from the referee that the Woodside coach disagreed with resulted in several free kicks to the Stirling team. This finally led to an exchange between the Woodside coach and the referee.
Two more goals for the Stirling team near the end of the second half sealed the win for Stirling.
The Warriors U15 Red team has consistently shown how they are true warriors for their sport as they come out each week and show the skills they possess and the essence of fair play. They are impressive to watch as they support each other and their cohesiveness as a team just gets stronger and stronger with each game.