Match report

Match report

Another wonderful day for soccer with the sun shining and not a cloud in the sky. Woodside went into the game again with one on the bench and some handy U13’s on hand if needed. 

Woodside started off the slower of the two teams and Mount Barker pushed to make the most of this opportunity. However, Woodside’s ability to get behind the ball and defend denied Barker any chance of getting a shot off on goal. As Woodside warmed up its midfield started to find space and supply the Warriors forwards. In a scrappy passage of play a ball hit a defender’s arm and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Woodside had its first opportunity of the match to get on the score board. Woodside’s penalty taker was a little eager taking the penalty before the referee sounded the whistle and hit the crossbar. In his second attempt he hit the exact same  spot on the crossbar and Woodside were denied their opening goal of the game. Mt Barker’s spirits lifted sensing that luck was on their side and they picked up their intensity when competing for the ball. With 20 minutes played there was still no score and after an incident in the middle of the ground the referee found a free kick and his yellow card that he issued to the Woodside midfielder. Mt Barker were unable to use this to their advantage but it spurred the Warrior player who decided to take matters into his own hands and take on the Barker defense, weaving through the players he managed to finally get a shot on goal and Woodside’s account for the day had begun. The rest of the half was all Woodside who finally found their game and started to use the ball to its full advantage. In many unselfish passages of play, Woodside’s players passed to players in better positions who slotted goals home. By half time Woodside were in control. 

As the second half started Woodside made some changes following player requests and a different format was adopted. Woodside though still managed to control the game and kept the pressure on their younger opponents. Getting behind the defense Woodside were making the opportunities and slotting the ball home. Even when a small chip from the right winger was headed at knee level by a Warrior defender the ball managed to loop over the keeper and find the back of the net. Woodside’s luck had changed. Mt Barker continued to compete for the ball and despite the final result fought to the end.