Match report

Match report

Blackwood hosted Mount Barker for the Round 7 match on a stunning Autumn morning at Springbank Secondary College.

Like in many matches, the overall score line for this match does not necessarily reflect the skills. involvement and heart displayed by the Mount Barker U15 team on pitch. Playing without subs, the team did well to apply plenty of energy right until the final whistle. Today was simply not their day.

Blackwood played what was undoubtably their most cohesive match of the season, with on-pitch communications at an all-time high.  Starting strongly, they put their first into the Mount Barker goal in the opening five minutes with Elisha S scoring from a throw in to the box. Mount Barker looked to answer straight back. They ran into the Blackwood defence, earning themselves an opportunity from a corner. Blackwood's keeper, Angus D, was razor sharp with his reaction and the ball was returned to Blackwood control. Moments later the ball was at the other end of the pitch with Ben A converting a Blackwood corner. In the ensuing 6 minutes Blackwood had another 3 shots on goal: Nadia B's strong left kick arcing slightly left of the post; Loki N and Zac V's attempts also wide. They didn't wait for long to convert as a beautiful pass from Elisha S to Austin N brought the score to 3-0. Mount Barker didn't let their head's drop, however, and collected the ball to have another chance to score. Further attempts by Blackwood saw a number of match balls landing on neighbouring roofs. A special mention goes out to the kind Mount Barker parent who jumped the fence and retrieved these! Mount Barker's keeper made light work of a further Blackwood attempt leading into half time.

Blackwood set out strongly in the second. Once again, the Mount Barker keeper made a great effort to prevent a goal from Ben A. Unfortunately, this deflected from a team mate and across the goal line. Whilst deflated by this, the team did not give up. They took control once again and penetrated the Blackwood defence.  A save by Zac V, in his second experience in the role of keeper, preventing Mount Barker from getting one on the scoreboard. Their spirits lifted; Mount Barker continued to dominate possession for a time. Unfortunately, their shots of goal went unconverted. Blackwood missed another 2 opportunities with Angus D and Ben A kicking wide, before Ben A slipped one past the Mount Barker keeper for his third goal of the match. Some great keeping from the lad saw Blackwood goal attempts repelled for the remainder of the game.  Mount Barker's final scoring attempt for the match missed by the closest of margins.

Final result: Blackwood 5 - Mount Barker 0 in a fairly played match with great sportsmanship displayed by all.