Match report

Match report

It's amazing how much of an impact one player can have on a game. This doesn't overlook the efforts from everyone else, but simply suggests that the outcome of a game would have been completely different if that person wasn't there. This was clearly evident in Saturday morning's U16 match-up between Woodside and Murray Bridge.

Given the wet weekend forecast the weather was surprisingly pleasant. Murray Bridge's grounds don't seem to vary in condition, particularly with the amount of games played there. Excess rain doesn't pool and excess wear doesn't seem to phase the grass. 

With that said it had been a few years since this particular Woodside team had played there. Last year's Woodside team had seen a Murray Bridge team in a grading round game, but it was played on their turf. Memories of that match were a bit vague, but Murray Bridge seemed to have retained a few players from then.

The match kicked off at 10am with no preconceived expectation of outcome. Woodside were expecting Murray Bridge to be strong. Murray Bridge were unsure about what Woodside would bring. Both teams peppered strikes at the opposing keeper, often metres off target. For the first 20 minutes of the first half it was very much in Murray Bridge's control, whilst the second 20 minutes saw much more of a balance between the two of them. A 0-0 scoreline at half time wasn't surprising.

The second half saw Woodside utilise the pitch's slope to their advantage and held control of play for the first 20 minutes. Despite Woodside's attempts Murray Bridge's keeper was too good. The confident and animated AHJSA U15 Rep Keeper JAYDEN VOKES made the world of difference for his home side. Whilst he's unlikely to get too many opportunities to score he should be proud of his efforts in preventing goals.

Woodside's centre-back, MASON DUNOW, played a very important part in the game too. This wasn't realised until he brought himself off with concussion after a solid impact with the ball. It was unfortunate as Woodside had no substitutes to replace him with. Mason's importance was highlighted once he was off the pitch, with Murray Bridge slotting in three goals in the last 20 minutes of play, ending the game 3-0 in their favour.

"Despite the outcome both team's efforts were outstanding, leaving everything on the pitch and nothing in the tank", suggested Woodside Coach BRUCE TONKIN. "The on-pitch relationship between the players was impressive as well, with both teams avoiding the physicality seen too often in this division."

The next round will see Woodside meet Hahndorf at Woodside, whilst Murray Bridge will travel to Ashton Oval to meet Rangers.