Match report

Match report

For the first round of the season, Woodside Warriors U13 Red travelled into town to face the new kids on the block, Blackwood Forrest. And although both teams had done the yards on the training pitch, it was time to find out how things would transpire when faced with a hungry opposition who wanted it just as much as they did.

The early stages of the match belonged largely to Woodside, and although they looked more than a little short of a run, they were defending well and pushing the ball forward to create opportunities. It wasn’t long before they scored the opening goal through a lovely shot that hit the post, bounced back into the pitch and found the far-side winger running beautifully into the sweet spot. But strong teams respond to adversity and Blackwood refused to back down. They redoubled their efforts in defence, keeping numbers back to clog up any space in their own half. This frustrated the Warriors who were finding it hard to create opportunities on the smallish Springbank pitch. Eventually Blackwood hit back through a low drive from outside the box that skimmed under the keepers diving body. The rest of the first half was a real arm wrestle with neither side able to penetrate to create a clean opportunity. The deadlock was only broken when the ref found a hand ball in the area that the home fans were happy to accept, while the visitors felt a great injustice had been committed. But no-one doubted the quality of the penalty strike, it was high and wide and powerfully struck, and gave the home side the lead right on the stroke of half-time.

The Warriors were visibly disappointed as they left the ground, but in such a tight tussle, they would need to rally and execute to score twice against such a strong Blackwood squad. The second half was every bit as tight as the first. Both sides defended exceptionally, denying their opponents any opportunity to gain entry, and although Blackwood hit the crossbar once and hit a couple of dangerous-looking long bombs, the only goal they could manage came from a defensive mix up from the visitors. This gave them a commanding lead with only 13 minutes left on the clock. But Woodside were not going to lie down. With the clock showing five-to-go, they created the best chance of the match when their striker finally found a way through and was away on goal. He looked certain to score, but for a lovely piece of defence from Blackwood’s centre back who bodied him neatly off the ball and cleared to safety.

This match ended in Blackwood’s favour, but there was much to like from both sides and the standard of behaviour from players and spectators was as impeccable as we have come to expects in the Hills Association, something we mustn’t take for granted.

Full credit to both teams on a great match, played in great spirit. And a warm welcome to Blackwood Forrest from Hills Junior Soccer.