Match report

Match report

For their final game of the season, Woodside Warriors U12 travelled into the Murray Lands to take on Murray Bridge United Gold. It was the third time these two sides had faced off and a great opportunity for Woodside to showcase the improvements that they had made throughout the year. In their first meeting, Woodside were forced to chase down a three goal deficit to overcome Bridge 5 – 4, and in their second encounter they managed a 4-1 result. But with 2 months elapsing in the interim, nobody was completely sure where the teams were at and how the day would pan out.

From the outset Woodside were the dominant force. And, I suppose they should. Bridge is a young side, still learning their craft, while Woodside has been hardened over the journey, facing stronger opponents for the duration of last season. But Woodside’s dominance wasn’t coming from individual brilliance. Far from it. Their first two goals were the result of well structured play from the back half, clean passing, and hard running for space. But adding to this was a clear-minded intent to play, not for self, but for one another. It was this attitude that saw Woodside’s leading goal scorer return a season’s worth of favours by putting his mate through onto the ball for the first two goals of the match. In fact, after a season of finishing for his mates, he went goal-less today as the pass was always the better option. With another goal coming from the left winger (on the back of flawless defensive work and immaculate transmission through the pitch, and the Warriors back line looking impenetrable) Woodside effectively took the game out of United’s reach. This gave a few of Woodside’s tireless backs a chance to get up front and see the game from a less stressful angle – life’s more fun at the front… errors are less costly!

Although they were playing out of position these jockeying, sheepherding, clearing machines looked wholly at home as they ran the ball, passed through the line, played into space, crossed, penetrated the box, shot and scored. Perhaps the most touching moment of Woodside Warrior’s U12 2021 season came today, as one of their perpetual performers and most well-liked members of the team leapt into the air with a smile of unfettered joy and was mobbed by his pears after stretching the onion bag for the first time. Such moments create life-long memories, if not for the young players themselves, then certainly for their parents, friends and undoubtedly their coach, who was immeasurably proud of each and every one of Woodside’s chargers. To a child, they played this season with the spirit, strength and integrity of the “Mighty Ones” of the book of Psalms.

From proud and grateful coach – Thank you children, it has been a pleasure!

1st Woodside 

2nd warriors

3rd u12