U12 Boys were back in league action this week and travelled to Park Street to take on St Albans East to try and keep their League title push alive.
The Wood started as well as they have ever played, passing across the back and through the midfield from the off. After just 2 minutes Adoma had his first of the day and he quickly added his second minutes later to take his tally to 20 for the season. After some great play across the back between Joyce, Adom, Gardiner and Parratt, the latter crossed a great ball in for Adoma to complete his hat trick.
Staszewski was typically pulling the strings in midfield alongside the hard work from Khan and Fowler. Fowler has been improving every week and came close to his first goal for the club when his well struck shot hit the bar. 20 minutes in and the game was put to bed, Adom brought the ball down and went past two players into midfield and let loose with a now trademark thunderbolt into the the top corner from a full 25 yards. The Wood were now in cruise control and the half was topped off with Fowler’s first goal for the club with a fantastic lob of the keeper, which drew rapturous applause from every Wood player and fan. Five up at half time and well deserved.
Subs at half time saw Mill on for Gardiner, Evans for Adoma and Rocha for Fowler. All three boys brought energy and fitted in well with how the team had played in the first half. The goals continued to flow when the ever impressive Staszewski altzed past four players to finish and make it 6 0. Walker replaced Parratt and again didnt put a foot wrong. The Wood were playing some great stuff and added a well worked 7th when a cross found Gardiner to finish from inside the area. An 8th was put in late in by the St Albans defender stopping a certain goal after some great work from Staszewski again. Delia in goal was rarely called upon but, was alert when called upon.
The impressive Adom picked up MoM after playing superbly and controlling the tempo of the match. A great squad result again for the Wood Army who are zoned in on bringing home the title this season.
U13 Boys faced North West London Jets away, with the opposition in fine goalscoring form, having scored 17 in their last two matches. It was, therefore, a game warranting a big performance, with three points required to push on up the table and banish any lingering relegation doubts. With a big Cup semi-final next week, it was also a good time to get some momentum flowing.
It was, however, the Jets who started on the front foot, raiding through the Wood defence and midfield with impunity and it was keeper Marshall pulling off multiple outstanding saves who kept them from scoring. McGuinness joined the fray and immediately set Ifeacho free with a superb raking, long pass. The Wood sharpshooter barrelled through and despatched with style, giving the team an unlikely lead. However, despite Malcolm drilling just wide and Captain Song continuing his good form, further chances were limited and the Jets scored an equaliser which, though they deserved it, was down to repeated Wood mistakes.
Half time saw a period of retrospection as the boys knew they had underperformed themselves by some margin. To the joy of the travelling army, the second half saw a transformed display with boys competing from the off, led by the combative Sunkara, who was driving forward remorselessly from centre midfield; total energy, determination and purpose. In this he was joined by the outstanding Hones at centre back, winning huge tackles with desire and hunger, brushing off a bloodied knee like it didn't exist.
Ifeacho was rampant, blasting his second high into the net then reaching a powerful Sunkara header before the Jet's defence, cheekily flipping the ball over the keeper and finishing into an empty net for his hatrick. Makamian, operating effectively on left wing won several fouls before beating the defence and narrowly firing past the far upright, while the industrious Manning leapt like a human flea before seeing his flying header go narrowly wide. Crucefix joined the party, pulling the strings beautifully in midfield before producing a slide rule pass that shredded the home defence and saw Ifeacho drive through to produce a wonderfully composed finish as he rounded the keeper for his fourth. There was still time for Sunkara to grab his debut goal, drilling past the keeper then releasing a scream of joy at his achievement, signalling again the determination he has within.
All in all, it was a superb half of football and on the day, MoM went to Ifeacho for a four goal haul of the very highest calibre while Hones' endeavours mean he can now look forward to leading his team out with pride as Captain in next week's semi final. Well done to all the lads.
Meanwhile U11 Boys are producing some of their best football thus far and faced a tasty APB Ravens side away.
At the back, the imposing Luca continued between the sticks, getting every decision right as he threw himself about like a rag-doll to stop the opposition's fierce shots. Matei heading up the defence with Christian, Audley and Noah got to every ball that came at them, throwing themselves on the line bravely again and again.
Klawdjo, Aiden and Jayden in midfield were running, passing and shooting in style along with the dynamic Bailey upfront. After numerous efforts on goal, Bailey struck, bang! Up stepped Jayden to do the same; bosh! In the second half, Shreyank took up his roll in midfield and struck another; kapow! Leaving Bailey to smash in another; whack! A first class performance that even Batman and Robin couldn't have bettered!!
Mom went to the outstanding Noah for excellent defending and it's great to see the boys enjoying their football so much.
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U18 Girls have been resting ahead of their big, forthcoming cup games so it has been left to our U11s to fly the flag for the club's Girls' section; what a good job they are doing too!
On a day of all weathers starting with a downpour and hailstones right on kick off, the girls dominated possession against a gifted Chipperfield side and the crowd were soon cheering what they thought was a goal after a brilliant effort by Kara; alas, it just found the side netting though! However, soon after, Elsie quickly and skillfully found the net after some lovely build up play from Kate and Annie. Hazel the Hammer then announced her arrival by cracking the crossbar from long range.
On the stroke of half time, the Wood scored again with a great effort from Lois, followed by Elsie’s second of the day which involved a brilliant build up from back to front. This saw Emily, who made countless world class saves, kick the ball to Kara, who played a lovely one two with Lois who then crossed it in for Elsie. Lois then scored her second of the day which was a cool penalty into the left top bin!
The girls continued to combine well with the enthusiastic Amie forming a good partnership with Annie, shoring up the back nicely. In addition, Lottie and Lucy were inspirational taking it in turns to break up play and then releasing good forward passes to their team mates. The team managed to find a late goal too, working as a unit throughout to see out a very good performance against a strong Chipperfield side.
A special mention for the match's star performer and POM - Elsie - who scored a stunning hat trick and was unplayable today at times; what a talent! While star winger Lois' two strikes saw her burgeoning tally grow to 28 for the season!