Match report

Match report

After a tough outing at Strath in Round 5, Woodside played host this week as the Strikers climbed the range for the early one at Warriors’ Fortress.

The Hills air may have been colder than normal when the game commenced at 9 o’clock on Saturday morning, but the action on the pitch was hotter than hot! And by 9:02 Woodside had scored not 1, but 2 goals, from a right wing who was up, at ‘em and on target.

The Strikers had been caught off-guard and would have been forgiven for dropping their heads – None of it! This group may be young, but they know how to play football and they know what they are capable of. After conceding the second, they immediately found their composure – steadying themselves to defend, share possession and create. Few sides in the league pass the ball as well as Strath Strikers U13. At both ends of the ground they appear composed and focused on playing the team game. The side clearly possesses individuals with distinct talent, but their coach has them solely focused on playing for the greater good and it is a joy to watch.

From the second minute onwards, this was a tussle for the ages, two evenly matched units competing with skill, intensity and a love of football. From end to end the game surged, both sides looking likely in attack and proficient in defense. Woodside was the first to goal during this arm wrestle. Again it was their right wing goaling, as he bagged himself a hattrick. This time it was from a wonderfully struck low-ball that sailed a full twenty yards through the air without climbing above knee-height. And although it was hit from long range, it skipped past the keeper’s gloves and gave Woodside a (seemingly) comfortable lead. But still Strath believed. They lifted again, continuing to fight and create, and with the shadows of half-time looming scored the first on their path to redemption.

After half-time the Strikers looked a foot taller and a yard faster. Spectators were speculating that the team doctor had administered some half-time peptides they were playing with such vigor. And now they were dominating play. The use of space going forward and the passing to create chances for team-mates was a spectacle - The Beautiful Game was living up to its name. Such was their talent and execution that during a 15-minute period they scored two goals to draw level with plenty of time left on the clock. The match was anyone’s!

Now Woodside had cause to capitulate. Giving up a 3 – zip lead can do your head in! Ordinarily, one might expect tempers to fray and the blame-game to creep in. It didn’t. Players called on each other to lift, to find a clearance when needed, to stick to the task, and to fight. At the other side of half-way the young Strikers had their tails up, they were super-charged with the thrill of completing a come-from-behind win for the ages. The billowing crowd was also champing, they were on the edge of their seats, on their feet, chewing their nails to the bone. It was on!

Woodside responded to the balancing-of-the-ledger by lifting their work-rate and bringing about a frantic stalemate in which both sides were threatening to score and both sides were refusing to yield. Nothing could separate them… Except perhaps a penalty. With just over five to go, the ref blew a hand-ball in Strathalbyn’s box. It was there, but it felt a cruel blow. And so, in his second game back after a broken arm, Woodside’s young and promising center-mid stepped forward and coolly goaled in the bottom left corner. The Warrior’s and their adoring fans were thrilled, but it felt a merciless way for Strath to slip behind.

And then came another five minutes of chaos. Woodside pushed numbers back, creating traffic in front of their precious nest. But this gave Strath numbers behind the ball, where they were able to comfortably take possession and create repeated opportunities to balance it up again. But the home-side hung-tough. They swooped on any loose balls, took possession, and cleared for just long enough to hear the final whistle blow.

It was joy for the home-side and disappointment for the visitors. But regardless of your affiliation, this was a great exhibition of effort, execution, determination, team-work and sportsmanship that can only be sufficiently summed up by a single, and spine-tingling word – FOOTBALL.