It was County Cup day for our competitive boys’ sides with our U12s facing off against Ruislip Rangers. The boys were very much up for the challenge with a great performance from the whole squad, playing good football all over the park for the whole game.
Staszewski was the match winner on the day, firing home two exquisite efforts from 25 yards out, the first a stunning free kick, the second an arrowed effort after excellent work from Parratt. Adom secured MoM with a dominating centre half performance while special praise also goes to Adoma for unselfishly chasing down every loose ball and Rocha, for stepping up to play in goal again and keeping a fab clean sheet. Could our boys be on a path to the final?!
U13 boys faced off against Omonia in a game they fancied having won comfortably against this opposition a couple of months back. Unfortunately, the boys are making too many defensive mistakes right now and were two down quickly. The team fought back well with Pop scoring an opportunist goal but, despite Ifeacho crashing an excellent effort against the crossbar later, were unable to find an equaliser.
U11 Boys played Hendon United in another cracking game today at Pursley. Aiden starting off the shooting with a snap effort from 15 yards that was saved by the away keeper. Aiden, Bailey and Matei played well in defence stopping everything and making sure the ball was fed upfront.
Ethan and Noah starting in midfield with flawless play passing and running keeping Shreyank, Klawdjo and Audley forward all the game. Shreyank drilled in tow special efforts first half. Second half saw Aiden push into midfield while William stepped into defence making runs everywhere.
The outstanding Klawdjo & MoM latched on to this change in tactics to score 3 of the finest goals imaginable while Audley scored the team’s 6th with an outstanding netbuster. The boys are really finding their feet now and could have scored more with further goals fractionally offside and a late penalty miss too.
Jayden was lively in attack throughout, testing the away keeper many times while our own keeper, Luca, had a very solid game with some brilliant saves and cat like reflexes. Huge credit goes to Cristan & Riley in midfield too, for working so hard in what was a fantastic squad effort.
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Our U11 girls are just doing so well and not a week goes by without the club receiving a new enquiry from parents looking to join their girls. The 14 proud players currently holding the shirts took on our friends away at LGDA in what has become a bit of a local derby and had all the hallmarks of a tight affair based on previous recent encounters.
The Wood started on the front foot, pressing LGDA all over the pitch and pinning them back into their own half for most of the opening stanza with great work from our front 3 of Hazel, Lois & Theaya. The terraces were packed and the Wood support sensed a goal was coming, then just like that, Hazel's hammer broke the sound barrier again with a stunning corner that had defenders scattering as it flew into the net!
The girls continued to press, creating further good chances with Lucy patrolling midfield just like a young Danielle van de Donk, supported so well by a solid Wood wall consisting of keeper Emily and defenders Annie & Kiella. This defence is as mean as Arsenal's legendary back four and they were ably supported by returning defensive star Ella Z, unfortunate to have missed chunks of the season due to illness but returning today and turning back the clock in a rampaging left back role a la Magdalena Eriksson!
The Wood's constant pressure paid off when the uber talented Lois, scored a lovely little corker that sailed into the top bag. Thereafter, Ella W was running and tackling like a dervish so that it seemed there were three of her at times! Kara or Karadonna as is her club nickname was showing all her tricks today and her dancing feet where reminiscent of Ginger Rogers, her close control is a sight to behold at times and the crowd were left gasping for more!
With time running out, up stepped Elsie our new midfield lioness! She picked the ball up deep beating players then travelling 50 yards with the ball under pressure before slotting home a superb 3rd and early contender for goal of the season.
Manager Hobbs was delighted with the performance and spoke briefly to Jim White at Sky Sports before treating the family to a £5 a head all you can eat Chinese buffet. "These young girls play football that is sublime and are going to be a force for years to come in the female game. Great attitude, great energy, very good technically and a wonderful team ethic". Very sage words, but, will he be having the prawn crackers?!
Meanwhile, our U18 Girls had a record 16 players available for their match against Hitchin and a vibrant tactical discussion was being held on the team chat group when news broke that the game was off, Hitchin being struck down by illness. We wish the Hitchin girls better and look forward to going over to them later in the season.
With a point for the draw last week and three this, the Wood are moving up the League and confidence is growing. Most importantly though, the girls are now enjoying themselves, the team spirit is very much improved and win or lose, they are happy to just have a go and have some fun. How can anyone argue with that? Fogey manager Makamian began to try but, when everyone cleared off leaving him on his jacks in an empty room, even he agreed too proving you can teach an old dog new tricks!