Match report

Match report

Woodside Under 12 Red hosted top of the table and undefeated Stirling United. Although there was some initial nerves, Woodside started the match relatively positively and the game’s first 10 minutes allowed each site to create a handful of scoring opportunities.

Fletcher Jones, Josh Constable and Finn Cradock linked up well in the forward line and provided some great forward presses which put pressure on the Stirling defenses. Axel Vassos had made some good saves early and was in total control of any Stirling attack on goal. Unfortunately, a long range deadly strike from well outside the box caught the Warrior’s defense off guard and, Axel, with his vision obscured with the wall of players in front of him didn’t see the ball until it was well into the back of the net. To the Warrior’s credit, they didn’t go into their shells and demanded to be rewarded for the hard work that the team’s attacking chances that were being forged by Elliot Klein and Rojo Nambia’s tireless behind the ball efforts of left and right wing ball movement well into the Stirling’s defensive zones. Shortly after Stirling’s first goal Elliot struck a powerful strike which rattled off one of the Stirling defenders and nailed that back of the net. A deserving goal for a great balance between offensive and defensive focuses throughout the first half and it was fitting for both teams to go in 1 all at the half time break. Stirling had the luxury of rotating numbers through their bench and with the Warriors only having one substitute, the high tempo of the game took its toll on a number of the now tiring players. The second half became a real arm wrestle with Stirling pressing hard for the winning goal. Nate Dealtry led the Warrior’s defense and had good support from Finn Randall, Thomas Horner and Gracie Llyod. Jamie Spooner again lifted in the second half and started closing down balls that were in dispute which allowed Joran Viagara to press from right back deep into attack causing Stirling a few heart in mouth moments where we broke their defense but, could unfortunately couldn’t get a shot on target thanks to the good defensive intercept of a very hard working Stirling defense. Rojo Nambia sacrificed his own game for the greater good of the team and opted to play as a loose man in defense and was instrumental in negating the run against the play attacks that are created from a goal keepers bouncing ball at the half zone which can wreak havoc for defenders. Finn Craddock also mindful of the Stirling push for another goal also spent more time in defensive midfield and assisted Elliot with controlling the ball before it became a problem for Axel. The last 5 minutes was very tense and with Stirling throwing the kitchen sink at our defense, Gracie Llyod stepped up intercepted a number of dangerous loose balls which were pivotal to nullifying the constant waves of attacks from Stirling. In the dying seconds, Axel who had been sensational all day, choose the perfect time to run at the Stirling attacker with a certain goal already registered in the Stirling strikers mind and jumped onto the ball – almost like a combat solider was diving on a hand grenade to save his fellow squad members from the impending doom of an explosion. The Stirling Striker, still intend on scoring the winning goal continued his follow through but, couldn’t prize the ball from the Warriors keepers hands and, although he copped a kick to the ribs which smarted a little, it didn’t matter, it was well worth it. The Warriors refused to concede a last gasp goall. It was a fitting end to a marvelous display of defensive team work which summed up what a number of players had sacrificed for a very respectable draw against a very good Stirling United.