Match report

Match report

The game started with Woodside having their opponents on the back foot as they spent the first 10 minutes of the game in their opponent’s defensive third. With every entry, the Warriors managed to get in great scoring opportunities but were just wide of the target. With both defensive midfields controlling the center corridor, it was hard for Mt Barker to break through the middle to score. Then from nowhere down their left wing the Mt Barker winger got around the defence and was left with a one on one to beat the keeper. With Woodside streaming back to defend he took his time and slotted it home for Mt Barker to take the lead. As already shown by this Woodside team over the past three rounds, self belief and determination is always rewarded. Lifting their game, Woodside again pressed their opponent this time taking them on down the right. With some great movement, the right midfielder found a little space outside the box and seeing an opportunity took a chance. Finding the net, he levelled the game. For the remainder of the half it was an arm wrestle in the middle of the park with both teams midfield and defence working hard. Woodside’s smaller players were reading the play and beating the opposition to the ball, or simply applying pressure to their opponents who would make a mistake and turn over the ball. When the ball entered the defence in the air our centre back claimed it for himself, sending the ball back in the direction it came from. As the half time whistle sounded, neither team had added to their score but Woodside were playing the better football

With the usual encouraging coaches talk completed, Woodside took to the pitch for the second half with the belief that today was their day. However, Mt Barker were looking for more than a draw and in the first five minutes worked hard to get another goal. Again it was the Warriors defence that stood strong denying shots and winning the ball. Mainly through doing the simple stuff, putting it out when needed, closing down and pressing or delaying their opponent and when winning the ball finding feet of their teammates who could take the ball into their opponent’s half. After 20 minutes both teams had not scored but it takes a piece of brilliance to spark a team. This week there were three all within 5 minutes. The first was a fabulous save by our keeper who looked to be beaten by a Mt Barker shot, but with out stretched hand somehow managed to put his hands on the ball as he dived across the face of the goal. The second came after a series of corners for Woodside, where a well placed ball found the head of the centre back, who getting head to ball only just missed the goal. Each one of these saw the belief that today was Woodside’s day. Then the final spark. From a well taken corner the Woodside striker, with his back to the ball, managed to back heel the ball back towards goal and the diving keeper had no chance as the ball rolled into the net. Woodside had the lead but with 10 minutes left in the game could they hold on. Would Mt Barker spoil the day!  For five minutes Woodside continued to apply pressure down both flanks but Mt Barker remained composed and dealt with each entry. Then as time was counting down Mt Barker managed again to get around the Woodside defence and as their attacker was quickly closed down he managed to get a shot away to level the scoreboard again. With little time on the clock to still win, both teams threw everything they had at each other’s defence. As the final minutes ticked down it was Woodside with the greater opportunities but today time would beat them as the final whistle sounded. 

A great effort from the Warriors managing to get their first points of the season. Again they showed grit and determination, but more importantly looked and played like a team which is all any coach or parent could ask of these young Warriors.