U11 Boys were in outstanding form today as they returned to action away against APB Raiders. The lads seemed up for it from the start and even warmed up really well!
The Wood went straight at it from the off with Joel scoring two early goals with assists from Zain and Julian. Julian got our third straight after, finishing calmly after Leon had ran half the length of the pitch. The always improving Mackenzie made a great pass for Julian to smash home his second, then setup another, this time for the very impressive Leon to finish in style. He added another two minutes later after Jack had a shot saved and cleared by the defence, finishing sumptuously after a top class dribble and deservedly securing himself MoM.
Joel completed an excellent day's work by securing his hatrick with a stylish finish before Hayden added the cherry on the top with a last minute piledriver. With our defence very disciplined throughout, it was a simply fantastic performance from the boys; really well done!
U10 Boys faced a high quality Global Football Flamingos today and were in fine form with the entire squad enjoying excellent performances.
In goal, Charlie performed some spectacular saves first half while William and Luis made brilliant runs on goal at the other end. The good form continued second half with Aiden also pulling of some spectacular saves. The boys pulled together and started to fizz the ball about with Luis scoring with a humming shot after clever link-up play from Charlie and William. MoM went to Matei who showed real promise in defence and was chasing down everything that came at him. The squad showed a great team mentality today and the future looks very good.
U12 Boys played HMH Falcons away from home on a nice astro surface and after playing some good football first half, took the lead through Malcolm, who quickly latched on to a loose ball before blasting into the net for his first of the season. Having given themselves a good platform for the second half, the team inexplicably stopped controlling and passing the ball and inevitably conceded. Despite the best efforts of Hobbs to rouse the team and Makamian who continued to look for the pass throughout, the game finished a draw. Reed secured MoM after a very solid performance at the back.
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After lockdown 2.0, our ladies were back in action today and enjoyed a break in the recent rain to play some lovely stuff.
Our U10 Girls returned with a tough away match against Hemel Reds on an understandably heavy pitch and in howling winds. This barely seemed to register though as they got straight on the scoresheet with Theaya embarking on a fine solo run before firing a long range howitzer firmly into the very top corner of the net; what a start!
The squad went on to create chance after chance with Lois, Hazel & Kara particularly influential but, just unable to secure a second valuable goal on this occasion. In a helter skelter period, the Wood relied on the impala like Emily in goal, springing about tirelessly to keep the Wood net safe and simultaneously securing herself PoM. Just in front of her, Mya marshalled the defence like a lighthouse in a storm, breaking up attacks and striding forward into midfield to set up counter attacks.
An excellent performance from the girls, especially given the enforced lack of activity this last month and with a vibrant, packed squad full of talented & energetic young footballers, this team is most definitely one to watch.
Meanwhile, our U18s faced a long journey over to a chilly Bury Rangers without having had any opportunity to train post lockdown. With that in mind, they performed very creditably.
A brilliant start saw the side push forward and take the lead from a fine shot from the ever dangerous Swain. Throughout the first half, all the girls worked hard creating lots of chances, with some excellent runs from Young who added to the scoresheet with a well taken finish. Embleton and Joseph showed great tenacity in midfield throughout making life difficult for the opposition, and both defence and midfield worked determinedly to stop the Bury attack.
As the match progressed, some of the team began to tire and the opposition found their way back into the game with some excellently taken long distance shots. Hyman was again magnificent in goal while PoM Branigan covered an enormous amount of the pitch in her roles in defence and midfield, showing great ball control and insightful passing before an amazing clearance off the line towards the end of the second half.
Despite the tiredness there were some great attacking runs with Coque, in particular, surging forward with the ball and supplying excellent crosses so nearly converted by the onrushing Shaw. A great effort from the squad who look forward eagerly to their next fixture.