Match report
| Season | Date | Round | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 U15 | 29th April 10:30am | League Round 1 | WWSC Main Pitch 1 |
Woodside Warriors Blue 0
Stirling Districts Blue 6
Match report
Game One of the 2023 AHJFA U15 season saw Woodside host Stirling Districts Blue. It was Woodside’s first game in under 15, with the squad a combination of U13s and 12s from last year. Stirling are in their second season of U15 - a battle-hardened unit that drips with talent and is coached by one of the best in the business. Even before a ball had been kicked this loomed as an ominous challenge for the youngsters from Woodside.
From the outset, Stirling dominated. They were bigger, faster and extremely well organised. Within minutes, they had goaled twice, catching the home side out with the speed of the game that they had brought with them. But Woodside soon rose to the challenge, fighting for every possession and holding back the white and blue wave for extended periods. The relentless pressure took its toll however, with Stirling scoring heavily and taking a commanding lead into the break.
The second half was now a question of character for the home side. A win was out of the question, but they did have a choice – fight or crumble. They chose to fight! And why not, you can only control your own actions on the football pitch, the rest is out of your hands. With every wave that Stirling heaped forward, the Red and Blue of Woodside fought for their lives. They jockeyed to delay their opponents, they covered their mates, they fought for the ball. And when they won it, they demonstrated their potential going forward. None of this would win them the game, but it certainly won them the respect of their coaches, parents and the assembled crowd. They also scored perhaps the goal of the day, with a beautiful strike from the left wing finding the back post and ricocheting into the net. Ultimately, the linesman denied the goal, but it was certainly one for the memory bank.
Credit must be given to both groups on their character. Most of the Stirling players demonstrated great humility in a one sided contest, while the Woodside chargers epitomised the essence of courage under fire and never backing down.
Bring on next week and some more Hills Junior Football!
