Our U12 Boys are in the midst of a League promotion and Championship battle and today’s game was a top of the table clash, with the visitors - Whetstone Tigers - currently leading the standings. The Wood were looking to avenge a heavy defeat from the reverse fixture too!
The opening whistle blew and from the off it was obvious that the lads were up for this, Parratt and Murphy starting very well in unfamiliar full back positions, winning their early tackles and passing into midfield. Chances started to come as the midfield trio of Khan, Staszewski and Rocha cobined well with Adoma up front. All four had chances well saved by the Tiger's keeper.
The Wood took the lead when a fantastic corner from Parratt was flicked on well by Adoma to the feet of our Brazilian magician Rocha who calmly poked home to gain the lead. The lads weren’t finished there and kept peppering the opposition goal; a well worked one/two between Khan and Staszewski produced another brilliant save from the keeper after Staszewski let fly.
It seemed a matter of time before the second, but, as sometimes happens in football and on a rare Whetstone foray, the Wood conceded an unfortunate OG. Led by the outstanding Joyce, the reaction from the team was superb and they switched back on and scored a stunning winner. Staszewski picked up a pass from Adoma before driving forward and supplying Rocha. With much to do, his classy finish nestled into the net to give the Wood a 2-1 half time lead.
The half time chat reviewed how well they boys had played as well as remembering that a game is never won at half time. The boys headed out with the same focused attitude they'd started with, the key being to continue to work as a team, something Evans did really well from the second he was on the pitch. After some great work between Parratt, Staszewski and Evans, the latter hit a great strike but the impressive Tiger's keeper denied the Wood again.
The third goal to finish the game just seemed to be evading the Wood army. Fowler came on and got straight into the game combing well with Staszewski who found Rocha on the edge of the box; he beat the keeper with a stunning strike but was denied this time by the crossbar.
At the other end, Delia could've easily switched off after long periods untroubled but when called upon late, made an unbelievable save from the Tiger's striker, flipping a certain goal away from his top corner and over the bar. All through the game “the Tank” Adom was winning everything at the back and playing the ball forward with class. In the last minute he did this once more and found Khan - the Wood's Duracell bunny - who covered every blade of grass. Khan's ball sent Adoma through and he rounded the keeper before a last ditch blockage from a Tiger's defender denied him.
The final whistle blew and the Wood got the 3 points they deserved and put them right in the title race. All 11 players gave everything for the team and it was obvious to see what it meant to them at the final whistle. MoM could have gone to any of the squad but, was secured by Parratt after enjoying an outstanding game out of his normal position. Take a bow young man!
U13 Boys travelled to Alexandra Park South looking to build on their excellent display last week. The boys were motivated and ready from the first whistle, engaging well in the opening skirmishes.
The first goal came after a Makamian drive was parried by the keeper, with Ifeacho swooping in to score. Hones then whipped in a lovely cross from the right that Reed slammed into the net with interest. Soon after, Crucefix supplied an equally superb ball from the left with Manning sliding in at the back post to make the score 0-3 at half time.
The game stayed this way but, the Wood enjoyed many other chances throughout the match, the best of which saw Song win a penalty that he took himself and narrowly missed. With a steep slope and muddy surface, the Wood's defence was called on regularly, but, Marshall was faultless in goal while the back three of Hobbs, Hones and Captain Pop were imperious, with positioning, cover, heading and tackling on another level and deservedly securing a clean sheet.
McGuinness enjoyed a fine match showcasing the full range of his passing ability while Montgomery and Oswald put in hardworking shifts. MoM went to Crucefix, who was a danger throughout, both in supplying clever passes to others and pulling the trigger himself. An excellent display and the lads go into the Junior League Cup Quarter Final next week in good form and spirits.
U11 Boys were suffering through Covid but, the lads in attendance did themselves and the Club proud with a feisty performance against a talented Hendon United Gold.
The boys defended resolutely one end and were outstanding in attack the other end, with Thomas scoring a piledriver, Klaudjo drilling home another and Jayden ripping the net asunder with a super effort! MoM went Bailey for a typically all action display!
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Our U11 Girls faced a top of the table clash today away to a super Goffs Oak side, no easy task particularly when missing three key players through a combination of injury, illness and rotation.
However, as they always seem to manage, the girls were at it from the off, with the skilful and hard running Elsie setting up Captain Lois, whose scintillating wing wizardry created a fine opening goal. Goffs Oak almost found a goal straight from the kick off, only to be thwarted by outstanding stand in keeper Theaya and defensive rocks Annie & Kiella!
The goalmouth action was non-stop now as PoM Amie took it upon herself to make a late break from midfield into the opponent's box. Elsie found her with a slide rule pass straight off the training ground and Amie kept her composure to beat the on rushing keeper and send the Wood faithful into raptures! Meanwhile, Karadonna was working her magic effectively in an unfamiliar role as No9 and Kate, Ella, Romey & Lottie came on to impose themselves on the game with excellent performances.
After a rousing half time team-talk from coach Dave, the girls were back out early reinvigorated and ready for action! Up stepped the dazzling Lois with possibly the goal of the century, picking the ball up in her own half, she left one defender behind, lobbed the ball over another then nutmegged the imposing Goffs CB who turned quickly and fought with Lois for 10 yds fighting for her team and the ground. Lois eventually won that battle and broke free, notching her 19th goal of the season, and one worthy of any stage, sending the travelling crowd into a frenzy with coach Richard knee sliding into the next field! Considering their was a rather large bull in it, this wasn't to be recommended.
Goffs' fought back and honours were very much even between two outstanding sides putting on a super advert for juniors football. Another great day's football from our girls as they go from strength to strength.
Meanwhile, U18 Girls were on their travels again today, this time to the wildernesses of Hitchin! The girls have certainly put in the motorway miles of late but, after an excellent showing last week in the County Cup, hopes were high for a good League performance, despite knowing Hitchin possesed many players of real pace and calibre, having beaten the Wood 0-4 in a pre-season friendly.
Before manager Makamian could adjust his hat for the start of the game, the girls flew into the lead, Makamian junior supplying a perfect through ball for PoM Hodges to streak through and lash home in style. Barely had the Wood faithful picked their jaws up from the ground, than Hitchin struck back to level. However, Umalin barely noticed as she raced through to make it 1-2 soon after with a quality finish from out wide!
The defence was in fine form also with Steward and Turner looking particularly sharp in containing the ominious Hitchin wingers, while Rodrigues and Warren were playing excellent, raking long passes down the wings to turn their opponents round. As the half progressed, Makamian released Hooda, who's toes twinkled like the famous Ursa Minor constellation before burying the ball firmly in the opposition net to cap a wonderful first half performance that saw the Wood head in 1-3 up.
There was a festival like atmosphere during the team talk with so many positives to review. Much was also said about starting the second half sharply, competing for everything and carrying on the fine first half performance to see out the match. However, huge misfortune befell the Wood when a passing spaceship from the distant Andromeda Galaxy zapped the players with an invisible ray gun, robbing them of energy and proactiveness just as they re-entered the fray! The inevitable happened with a rampant Hitchin running amok to record four unanswered goals and the match ending in a sobering 5-3 loss.
All jesting aside, the girls continue their improvement with a super half of football, as they had recently against Ruislip and Wormley. However, the quality opposition in Div1 is relentless and to secure a win requires leaders on the pitch, girls willing to set an example, willing to stand up and be counted with every player putting a shift in for the entire game. That wasn't quite there second half today but, such potential lies within all of our Wood heroines and the great news is that they'll be back in action next week trying to release it and having lots of exercise and enjoyment in the process.