Match report

Season Date Round Venue
2021 U9 7th August 12:00pm League Round 16 WWSC Modified 1
Match report

Stirling United U9 versus Woodside Warriors U9 Blue

 

After an unplanned but mostly welcome mid-winter break Woodside U9 Blue were back in action this weekend and, due to a waterlogged pitch at Aldgate, welcomed Stirling United to the Woodside Rec grounds. In northern Europe some of the more monied clubs spend their winter break in Dubai, enjoying the heat and getting back to match fitness. In stark contrast to this Woodside’s training over the last couple of weeks has ranged from soggy to absolutely soaking, so having a dry and almost warm day for football this Saturday was very welcome.

 

This was a match that the Warriors were looking forward to, having controlled the game in their previous outing against United. United won the toss and kicked-off but the first half was Woodside’s from the whistle, with the team pushing upfield and creating chances almost straightaway. It didn’t take too long before the pressure began to pay-off, with forward Austin Levy’s well-struck shot finding the net after taking a deflection. Woodside kept pushing and soon had the United keeper beaten by a brace of goals from a rampant Calum Magee. One of those came from lovely bit of team play from Woodside, building from the back then attacking down the left wing before crossing the ball into a dangerous position. The end of the first half seemed to come quickly and Woodside went into the (metaphorical) dressing room with heads held high and a clean sheet for keeper Theo Nicholson.

 

In preparation for the U10s next year, where coaches are not allowed on the pitch with the kids, Woodside’s coach decided to guide the team from the sidelines for the second half. After the break the Blues continued pushing deep into the Stirling half and managed to get into some great positions but were unlucky with their final ball. As Woodside tired, Stirling began to probe but Woodside defended doggedly, marking their opponents at attacking throw-ins and shutting out everything United could conjure up. This week’s Captain Tommy Garden let almost nothing get past him in defence with some great blocks, and second-half keeper Jock Mills capped-off his clean sheet with a commanding save late in the game.

 

The Warriors can be proud of their performance in all areas of the pitch this week. The development in the team this season was very much on show with their passing and positioning significantly improved from earlier games and we will be looking for this improvement to continue, even if our talks with unexpected free-agent Leo Messi somehow come off.

 

Covid style end to a great game.