Match report

Match report

Round 6 saw Mt Barker U12 Red host Hahndorf U12 at a rainy and windy Summit Sport Park. Both teams went into this clash undefeated, and with a string of unavailability, Barker could only field 8 on the pitch. A big thanks to Hahndorf for also playing with 8, even though their bench became that little bit fuller.

In the opening 10 minutes, it became clear why these teams were on top of the ladder. Both sides passed with power and accuracy, cleared their defensive lines when threatened, and looked ominous when going forward. It was Barker's Lincoln Denley who broke the deadlock; a brilliant string of passing from the midfield leading to a great team goal.
Hahndorf fought back with vigour and intent, but despite the incredible skill and speed of their strikers, the Barker defence of Max Barrljung-Hummel, Harrison Burt and Beau Curran held strong.
Mt Barker scored twice more going into half time, both courtesy of the speedy Curran, whose transition into the midfield proved to be monumental. His first was a fantastic solo effort through the defence, to convert a 1v1 against the goal keeper; but his second was one of the highlights of the game: A moment of brilliance between him and Arlo Turner, who executed a flawless 1-2-3 passing combo, turning the defence inside out, and the cake was iced by Curran with an accurate drill into the bottom corner. At half-time, it was 3-0 to the reds.

This match was not over though, and the Magpies knew it. They launched a series of fresh raids on the Barker backline, but great marking and pressuring from Alec Belsey and Eric Liemareff forced rushed shots on goal, which Tyler Raven saved confortably. The reds were fast and lethal on the rebound, and as a result Curran slotted a further 2 goals. With a 5-goal buffer, the tiring Reds' steely resolve lapsed for the first time all day, and like a coiled viper, Hahndorf struck. Their striker used every trick in the book to weave through the previously resolute defence, and a perfectly timed cross saw his team-mate tap one in from the back post. It was a well-deserved goal, as the Magpies looked threatening all day.
The final 15 minutes returned to a good old-fashioned arm wrestle, with both keepers the stars of the show; David de Gea and Thibaut Courtois would have been jealous with some of the super saves that were made.
The final goal of the day came from a 50th minute Mt Barker penalty, which superstar defender Harrison Burt converted for his first career goal. He's a man of few words, but the smile said it all.

Well done to both teams for an entertaining and hard fought game, which proved why they sit 1st and 2nd on the ladder.