Match report

Season Date Round Venue
2022 U13 23rd July 9:30am League Round 11 MB Beatty Tce
Goals
S. Schulz (14'), S. Schulz (37'), L. Atkin (53'), S. Colla (63')

Best
J. Jones (1st), H. Mlikota (2nd), S. Colla (3rd)
Goals
N/A

Best
N/A
Match report

After a week off for school holidays, we were back to it this week for some more fun in the sun as a persistently dry winter produced another downright pleasant morning for Hills junior football. After a late scheduling change, Murray Bridge United Gold hosted Woodside Warriors Red in the early game at Beatty Terrace.

The last time these two teams met they produced a tantalisingly tight encounter that could have gone either way. This time Woodside managed a more convincing result against a slightly undermanned home side who were unable to field any substitute players.

From the outset, Woodside appeared slightly stronger and in the early stages generated repeated attacking forays. But these were met by resolute defense that was thoroughly committed and equal to the challenge. Each passage of Woodside’s forward play was met by a sea of Yellow that robbed the visitors of time and space, and so prevented clean shots. Woodside did manage to squeeze a few half-shots into the six-yard-box, but these were easily saved and sent back into the midfield. But Woodside did mange an early goal in the first half, from a lovely individual run down the right and a powerful finish. This was half-saved by a desperate keeper, but ultimately the ball forced its way through his arms and a goal was recorded for the visitors.

At times in the first half Bridge won the battle in the middle of the ground and looked likely to surge forward, but the Woodside back-four was all-but impenetrable. Not only did they demonstrate individual class to jockey and rob their opponents of the leather, but they also combined to perfection, covering one-another when beaten and seamlessly folding into the danger zone to snuff out the embers of trouble before anyone else had even smelled the smoke – The beautiful game can be played with beauty even when the opposition has the ball! When half-time came all players sought sanctuary from the surprisingly toasty July sun and got themselves hydrated for another 35 minutes of mayhem.

On the back of sustained defensive effort from the young Warriors, United was kept under relentless pressure again in the second half. And when sufficient pressure is applied, even strongest oak must crack. Another surging run down the right yielded another goal for Woodside early in proceedings. This one was a demonstration of individual class from the right wing, but as is so often the case the goal was deeply rooted in the unsung heroes of the backline. With the game still within reach, Murray Bridge still refused to yield and created several strong chances that had to be saved by a strong, clean set of gloves. But with no fresh legs to replace the weary, things started opening up in front of United’s nest and multiple shots were created by Woodside. With the weary still refusing to capitulate, none of these shots were hit with time and few were hit cleanly, and it wasn’t until a pin-point cross from the right wing hit the striker in a small pocket of clear air that Woodside goaled again. A single touch to steady and an accurate right boot stretched the bottom corner of the onion bag and put the game beyond doubt. This gave opportunity for Woodside’s keeper to swap out to striker where he demonstrated his abilities at both ends of the ground by driving a final nail into the coffin and sealing the affair.

Bridge Gold are a well-coached unit, playing good, tough football with impeccable sportsmanship that was enjoyed by a similarly well-mannered Woodside Warriors U13 Red. Congratulations to both sides on a great day of Hills junior football.

Woodside U13 Red
Photographer: Kevin Colla

Woodside U13 Red
Photographer: Kevin Colla

Woodside U13 Red
Photographer: Kevin Colla