U13 Boys faced Oakhill Tigers Tornados in the last 16 of the Junior League Cup, knowing that a good perfromance would see them through to the quarter finals. The boys didn't disappoint, securing a fine 0-8 victory.
All over the pitch, the Wood faifthful saw quality performances. Marshall was faultess in goal, Captain Hobbs led a three man defence including Hones and Ifeacho who dealt very efficiently with all opposition attacks. A centre midfield consisting of the 3Ms - McGuinness, Manning and Makamian - controlled the middle of the pitch, playing some delightful football and feeding lively wingers Malcom and Montgomery, who raided down the flanks throughout. Up front, Crucefix, Song, Reed & Oswald were intent on letting fly at every opportunity and looked a threat all game as a result.
Reed scored two including a perfectly taken penalty, Crucefix bagged four including two with thrilling individual runs that started in his own half. Manning filled his boots with a rasping shot while Montgomery produced the cross of the game to setup Malcolm who slid in expertly with great desire to guide the ball home with his left peg. He also secured MoM with an excellent performance mixing up tracking back, skillful wing play, simple passing and deadly finishing! All in all, a very fun day for the lads.
U11 Boys meanwhile faced a talented Whetstone Jaguars side at Pursley. Missing some players through sickness and injury, the boys in attendance stepped up to the plate and were raining shots down from the off, while keeper Luca - rightly named MoM - produced save after save and showed great skill in reading the game.
Matei, Yue and Christian were holding their own really well in defence with Aiden and Noah lively in midfield, making run after run and passing the ball forward effectively. In attack, Shreyank, Audley and Klaudio were getting quality crosses away and firing in shots throughout. Aiden skillfully won and converted a penalty while Audley struck with style to send the net bulging again.
Second half continued in much the same way with Riley taking position in defence and William on the right wing, both to great effect. Aiden finished off the scoring with his second, a stunning strike that cannoned off the underside of the crossbar before flying in. All in all, a super performance from the lads as they prepare for competitive football next season!
U12 Boys put in a solid performance against Alexandra Park North but, a couple of avoidable early goals cost them as they recorded a 1-4 reverse. Gardiner scored a fine goal that sailed imperiously into the net while Hebblethwaite secured MoM with a typically all action and non-stop display. Well done young man.
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Our U11 Girls are flying right now and played away at tough opponents Welwyn Pegasus today, who always produce strong displays against the Wood.
However, the Wood got off to a great start with an early penalty. Up stepped the goddess of thunder - our No9 Hazel - to dispatch her effort at the speed of light into the top bin! Two seconds later and Hazel's hammer struck again, a true poacher's goal dispatched expertly.
Lucy and Ella prowled the midfield and did their upmost to stop any breaks with Lucy on one such occasion stealing the ball in front of our area before a typical show of pace, power and skill running the length of the pitch before slotting calmly past the Pegasus keeper!
Star winger Lois was in rampant form notching two and it was just like watching Tobin Heath in her pomp! Lois has always been unplayable at her best and today everything her and the coaches have been working on came off; her team play, crossing and tracking back was a joy to behold for the football purist!
Karadonna scored a goal that isn’t often seen at this age and on these pitches, dancing and mesmerising the home defence throughout and on this occasion having the nous to lob the Welywn keeper goalie who had just left her line. A sheer thing of beauty was how manager Dave described the finish!
New girl Amie is proving to be a fantastic addition to the squad and has settled in perfectly. Her first goal has been coming for a couple of weeks now and it duly arrived today with a low, long range drive that flew into the net. Her awareness of the situation she was in and the ability to capitalise on it speaks volumes of this player.
Our best goal today wasn't scored last but we've saved the description to last so good was it. The ball was won on the right by defensive rock Kiella who played a cross-field pass to the other pillar of our defence Kate. Kate beat one player before producing an inch perfect pass to Amie. She fed Ella, who released Lois into space behind the Pegasus right back. Lois dribbled on then got to the byline and cut the ball back where two Wood players where waiting! Striker Lottie and right midfielder Theaya had both made training ground runs to the middle of the box and the back post, much to their coaches happiness. Theaya was ready on the back post for an simple looking tap in but those who know have seen the team working on this move for a while now!
Emily was a contender for PoM as was Kate (Ella Z) before going off with an injury but the deserved winner was Lois with two goals and numerous assists. The coaches are so proud of this young side!
Meanwhile U18 girls suffered some late pull-outs and were unable to get a side over to Ruislip for their League game. Hoping to have all the girls back for our next fixture.