Match report

Match report

Woodside Warriors U14 Blue hosted Mt Barker Yellow at their Fortress for the Round 3 clash. Both teams were winless coming into the match and were gagging at the chance to turn their fortunes. As the referee spoke to the players before the game he noted the great condition of the pitch: the earth was firm but forgiving; the turf short and slick; and the air dry and crisp. Goals were on offer for whoever could control the ball and make best use of space.

Soccer is a team game in every sense. To score, the ball must be passed through multiple players to transfer it from one end of the ground to the other; players must work hard off the ball to control open space on the field of play; and all must contribute if the team is to be ultimately successful. And on this occasion Woodside did it better. They started the game at a full throttle – surging forward and dominating from the get-go. Multiple chances were created early as the Mt Barker goal keeper was put through his paces. And though he performed admirably under heavy fire, Woodside eventually found the back of the net via a great curling strike into the corner of the goal. On the back of this, the Warriors surged again – after a couple of tough losses in recent weeks, they could now smell the choccies and were keen to feed. But rather than losing their minds and striving for individual glory, they maintained their structure and played the team game that they knew would serve them well. By the midway point of the first they had stretched the lead to 4 – blot.  By half time they were well in control, taking a 6 – nil lead into the break.

But if anyone thought Mt Barker were ready to lie down and submit, they were sorely mistaken. The boys and girls in Yellow drew deep and lifted their intensity at the start of the second. They were clearly made of stern stuff and were going to make a contest of it in the second stanza, one way or another. And although Woodside were first to score in the second with a couple of beautifully constructed goals, it wasn’t long before Mt Barker responded with one of their own. After being denied by a brave Warriors goalie just minutes earlier in a hair-raising one-on-one contest, Mt Barker found the back of the net through a well struck shot from just outside the box. As the game continued, Woodside created another couple of goals from beautiful running and some sweet crosses into the waiting forwards. These selfless acts of team play have always been a feature of this Woodside team and are a testament to their character and will to win, together.

In the end, the score card showed a solid win for the Red and Blue of Woodside but credit must be given to Mt Barker for their high level of play, and to all and sundry for demonstrating impeccable sportsmanship throughout the encounter.