Match report

Match report

It was a wet and wild start to the game on Saturday with both teams warming up in light rain before both teams ran for cover as a down pour hit. It gave an opportunity before the start of proceeding for parents and players to see the handing out of the two captain armbands to our two on field leaders for the season.

The rain finally lightened off and both teams took to the field to start the game on time. The Warriors started the game with eleven men and knew it would be good competitive game losing to their opponents in the grading round by a solitary goal. The last time our opponents managed to get behind our defence to score, but this time our defence were ready for the challenge and after last week’s courageous effort they stood strong. Murray Bridge finally found their range taking shots from outside the box and when one shot took a wicked deflection off our centre back the warriors were down a goal. True to their fighting spirit the warrior side continued to try and put passes together, but with an opposition rotating players regularly fresh legs were making a difference and half way through the half Murray Bridge finally got behind the defence crossing the ball across the warrior goals a slotting in a second goal. A well constructed passage of play that was rewarded. 

With a new determined effort the Warriors worked hard and when our substitutes arrived an opportunity came to offer a forward a rest from their hard work. We continued to work hard making a number of opportunities ourselves to close Murray Bridge’s lead but the Bridge’s keeper did an outstanding job every time. Again Murray Bridge worked hard moving the ball forward and again found range outside the box, but with Warriors closing the shooter down another deflection occurred and the ball deflected pass the keeper into the net. The Warriors bounced back and in the last few minutes of the half our right midfielder broke through with an attack on goal, taking his time he slotted it past the keeper, and onto the post bouncing back to a scrambling keeper.

The second half started with a number of changes in positions and the boys began to find the spaces necessary to beat the strong Murray Bridge defence. Working hard the forwards and midfielders managed to make their way through the defences but Murray Bridges keeper and central defence managed to beak down the attacks. The ball continued to travel from end to end with each team’s  defence holding strong. Again the Murray Bridge forwards took their chances outside the box and with another strong strike and defensive pressure a ball rebounded off a defender and into the net. 

With 10 minutes to go the Woodside coach rolled the dice putting on his U12 reserves and putting 4 upfront. The added pressure upfront had its rewards with a number of successful attacks, but too many offsides halted the momentum and Murray Bridge were able to settle. With four upfront it meant our back three had to work hard to repel their attack, this they continued to do with additional support from a hard working midfield. The final score did not reflect the efforts of the team but Murray Bridge should be commended for their play and sportsmanship.