Match report

Match report

This top of the table clash had been on the cards for a while with both teams parrying top spot on the ladder for weeks, for the Woodside Blues this was game of the season.

Both teams started off quick and hard, but within 2 minutes Sid Cotton had a lob from outside the penalty area and for what seemed like an age, this dropped into the United goal just under the crossbar – game on. From the following kick-off Ryan Sutton found space on the right wing and hit the second attempt at goal inches high. United were relentless in the midfield and continually made life hard for the Woodside defence with Oliver Boerth and James Lunnon struggling to keep up with United’s quick strikers, those that did get through were mopped up by Morgan Burroughes and Barnaby Bevans quick thinking and quick hands in goal, Woodside gained some composure in the latter parts of the half with Ryan Sutton scoring another trademark cracker from the right wing and 3 minutes later Dom Silvestri came on from the bench and added to his seasons remarkable tally.

The second half started with less gusto than the first with both teams probably feeling the previous 35 minutes, however, United gained the upper hand and within 4 minutes had pulled themselves onto the scoresheet. With continuous tussles in midfield it would take a great through ball for someone to gain the upper hand, With Eddie Moylan running the right wing and Jesse Mewett running the left, the break came again and Dom Silvestri struck a great ball across the face of goal with Sid Cotton missing it by millimetres. The next foray towards goal was more successful with Ryan Sutton snapping another ball in from the edge of the box. With a few changes made Woodside were holding on, with Will Limbert moved to left back and Mack Olsson in midfield the ball was confidently getting cleared. Close towards the end of the second half a goalmouth scramble ensued with Poppy Thomas moved into a forward position she had her attempt cleared off the line. After both teams had gained composure it was to be a final attack from United’s fast forwards, too fast for Morgan Burroughes who unfortunately gave away the penalty, with United slotting this home for the last kick of the game, a game where Barnaby Bevan  received player of the day for saving 14 attempts at goal– final score Woodside Blues 4 Stirling United 2, a fantastic thriller for the penultimate game of the season, great game Stirling United.