Match report

Match report

On Saturday 14th August Woodside hosted Rangers for their final of four U17 games over the 2021 season.

The first encounter in the season, the second round, saw a strong contender for the title, Woodside, be challenged with a 3-1 result in Woodside’s favour. The second encounter, again at Ashton Oval, was much more favourable for Woodside with an 8-0 result. The third encounter, this time hosted at Woodside, set the record on highest goal difference with an 11-0 result. By this time it was looking likely Woodside would take the title and Rangers wouldn’t trouble them again.

Despite this short history Rangers have been problematic for several clubs. Their first game was a 1-1 draw with a traditional powerhouse, Stirling United. A few rounds later they added their first win for the season, 6-3 against Strathalbyn. They backed that up with a 3-1 result against Stirling United. It has always been a bit hit or miss with anyone up against Rangers. Unfortunately more miss than hit for Rangers, but you can’t go into battle with them without being fully prepared for it.

Woodside, comfortable ladder leaders at the time with five games in hand, were a little too relaxed and forgetful that the underdogs have a habit of ripping the furniture every now and then. This doesn’t matter if the season is a blank canvas or it’s at the end when all is nearly done. Despite their low ranking they inspire.

The pitch wasn’t looking too bad. A day of sun gave it some time to dry. It was a bit heavy, but a surface that both teams were conditioned to. Referee William Smith lead the official duties with new recruits Barnaby Bevan and Sidney Cotton running the lines. This was appreciated by Woodside who were all out of active linesmen. Their two resident linesmen, fathers of players, were sporting injuries preventing them from doing it.

The game kicked off at 9am on Woodside’s main pitch.

The first five minutes of play saw two teams looking to open their accounts first. With Woodside strikers LACHLAN MOWBRAY, JETT TONKIN and Captain ANGUS WILKINS all benched it was time for someone new to take the glory. The honour went to BENJI BAILES who scored his first league goal for the season. This of course gave reason for the bench, coaching staff and supporters to celebrate.

From there little happened until half time, beyond a whole lot of up and back for both teams. A head-on crash between Tonkin and Rangers keeper Joseph Bellamy resulted in nothing more than a quick health check and acknowledgement that all was okay. Beyond that the game was respectful and in line with expectations.

The second half kicked off 1-0 in favour of the home team, Woodside. Mowbray was back on and keen to maintain his rank on highest league goal scorers. Rangers were keen to slow down any further attempts at goals by putting in their best keeper. Whilst it had the desired effect Mowbray managed to get one past him on the 48th minute.

Twenty minutes later Ranger’s player Shannon Cox slipped one past the home team keeper. The celebrations by the away team and supporters were deserving and enough to add fuel to the tank for the remainder of the season.

No further goals were scored and Woodside finished on top. It was Rangers that stole the show though with their best loss of the season, a single goal behind the ladder leaders. A round of fist-bumps and lolly pops acknowledged mutual respect.

HAYDEN DAVIS and ISAIAH HAMMAT were relentless but unfortunate not to add to the scoreline. On the other end of the pitch CASEY GODFREY, ASHER HAMMAT, IZEYAH RAYMOND and JOSH VASSOS prevented the visitors from scoring any further.

“Good on them”, said Coach BRUCE TONKIN after the game. “If we were in their boots we would put that down as a win. We wish them all the best for the remainder of the season and hope they continue into 2023.”

Keeper SAMUEL HERMAN was deserving of best and fairest. IZEYAH RAYMOND provided a solid performance yet again. BENJI BAILES also delivered a great game.

Round 18 will play out on the 21st of August where Rangers will host Murray Bridge. Murray Bridge will be keen to take three points in a dash between them and Hahndorf for second place. Meanwhile Woodside will host Strathalbyn at 9am.