Match report

Match report

This is the first time that the Woodside Warriors Blue had an opportunity to compete against Blackwood as they joined the association this year.

Blackwood started off the stronger team playing a brand of soccer that had the Woodside team on the defence from the start. With a tall speedy forward line the much smaller Woodside defenders were working hard to block Blackwood's forwards. Both teams however settled into their style of play and after a Woodside shot on goal was saved, a long ball from their keeper had Blackwood breaking through the Woodside defensive line and slotting the ball home to start their account for the day. For the third week in a row Woodside was behind and this added motivation again and inspired them to lift their game. Woodside started to make opportunities but were denied by good keeping, scrambling defence and once or twice by the woodwork. Blackwood also had their opportunities and as the first half was nearing its finish they again broke through the Woodside defence and slotted a second goal home. For the first time this season the Warriors went into half time behind on the score board, Woodside 0 Blackwood 2.

A much more motivated Woodside team took to the field in the second half, while the score line had them down, their brand of football was starting to show. As the whistle blew to start the second half, the Warriors' parents and coach waited for them to unleash the style of football that they have enjoyed watching over the past two games. The Warrior crowd did not have to wait long and after some good passages of play a Woodside player found themselves with some time in front of the goal and connected with the back of the net. This was the spark that the Warriors needed and their midfield slowly took control of the game. Passes were finding team mates and players were running in support and all of this contributed to more scoring opportunities for Woodside. The Woodside wingers were being supplied balls that split the Blackwood defence, allowing them to get behind their opponents and put balls into the box. Time and again this happened but near misses and good defence resulted in no addition to the score. Finally a cross made it into the box where a waiting team mate hammered one home. Blackwood however continued to defend well but the ball seemed to be stuck in Woodside's attacking third after a number of corners one finally managed to find a waiting Warrior who slotted the ball into the back of the net. Blackwood were not going to let this game slip and tightened their defence and started to apply pressure to the Woodside defence, long balls were starting to again put the Woodside defence under pressure and a number of well timed runs off his line by the keeper stopped Blackwood's attack. But something had to give and Blackwood again found the net making this a three all game with only 15 minutes left of the half. Woodside found another gear and with good ball movement across the field, found Blackwoods defence scrambling as a Warrior found himself with time and space to score Woodside's fourth. The home team continued to apply pressure with runs at their opponents, but good defending by Blackwood made finding a fifth difficult for the Warriors. Then in the middle of an attack a Warrior found himself at the top of the 18 yard box with a little bit of room, after taking on a couple of opponents he found himself one on one with the keeper and keeping his composure slotted Woodside's fifth and final goal for the day home. Full credit to Blackwood, now two goals down, they continued to press and put pressure on Woodside, but the home team had found its rhythm and composure and repelled their opponent's advances cleverly clearing the ball and moving it down the other end to put pressure on the Blackwood defence. The game finished 5:3 in Woodside's favour but their Blackwood opponents should be commended for their sportsmanship and commitment. They made Woodside dig deep to get a result, something no other club has managed yet to do to them this season.