Match report

Match report

The Woodside Warriors U14 Blue team travelled for the first time this season to neighbours Torrens Valley, on what can only be described as a glorious spring like day. With Torrens Valley's defensive record as good as the Warriors this was going to be a great game to watch and both teams spectators were in fine voice as they watched an evenly fought game from beginning to end.

For once the Woodside team started strong but Torrens Valley's defence stood up to the pressure and after an evenly matched 10 minutes both teams knew they were in for a tough day. Woodside continued to make runs into attack and when a cross found the feet of the Warrior centre forward in front of goals he slotted it home for the first goal of the match. This sparked the Rams who now started to apply their own pressure down the left hand side of the park, with good passages of play they created opportunities which finally resulted in their winger finding the back of the net. Woodside were not to be denied though and their speedy centre forward was making Torrens Valley's defence scramble. After busting through the Ram's defence, he found himself one on one with the keeper and scored Warriors second for the match. Five minutes later Woodside were again in attack and through good passing in tight conditions they scored their third. Torrens Valley dug deep for the remainder of the half and again applied pressure to the Woodside defence, with a long switching ball they managed to get behind the defence and finding a team mate alone they closed the gap with their second. As the first half was coming to an end Woodside was again under pressure in its defensive third, and as a warrior defender was running the ball out of the penalty box a clash of players occurred and the referee awarded a penalty to the opposition. Torrens Valley’s penalty taker remained calm and slotted the ball home to make the half time scoreline Woodside 3 Torrens Valley 3.

The half time break saw a determined Warrior team, spurred on by the incident in the dying minutes of the first half. They reviewed their first half efforts and made a commitment that this game was not going to be a victory for their opponents. When they walked out to start the second half all players were determined that this game was not going to get away from them, they restructured the defensive line themselves and all started to close down their opponents across the field making it difficult for the Rams to get a shot on goal. In the middle of the park the Warriors midfield started to find space and with good ball movement were applying pressure to Torrens Valley’s defence that continued to work hard. Something had to give and after a well executed corner that found the head of an unmarked Woodside teammate, the ball was nodded home to give the visiting team the lead. For the next ten minutes both teams stepped up their ferosity for the ball trying to find that one opportunity to give their team that edge but for neither team it came. Then from nowhere Woodside broke through the Rams defensive lines and the centre forward was again one on one with the keeper. This time it was a different story as a poor shot on goal was easily saved by the keeper who put the ball back into play with a big kick down the park and now the Warriors defence was scrambling. They managed to remain calm and using the keeper cleared the ball out of the danger zone. Again both teams midfield fought to gain the upper hand to provide opportunities for their respective attackers. Finally it came with Woodside finding some space and the net for the fifth time, but with still 10 minutes to play the Warriors knew this game was not over. Torrens Valley continued to pressure but Woodside were not going to let this result slip from their grasp and continued to close down their opponents and stop their run. When given the opportunity Woodside managed to play the ball out of trouble through good passing and movement, but Torrens Valley contested to the end. As the final whistle sounded the Warriors had won a hard fought match, but their opponents should be commended and with the last game of the season seeing these two teams meet again Woodside will need to be on their guard if they want to take away the win next time.