It's been a vintage weekend for the Wood's sides with our formidable juniors in the very finest form!
U12 Boys played their first home game in 10 long weeks against GFA Enfield Lions and were looking to keep their title charge on track. The Wood started how they finished the week before, playing a great passing game and applying the pressure from the kick off. This resulted in an early goal for Adoma; after some quick footwork in the box he struck well past the GFA keeper. Adoma made his next goal all through his own hard work, after chasing down the defender before nicking the ball from him and slipping it through the keepers leg for his and the Wood's 2nd.
The back 5 was solid again in the quest for their 4th consecutive clean sheet with Captain Gardiner rallying the troops from the off. Following a Khan corner and a flick on at the front post from Staszewski, Adoma was unmarked at the back post to complete another first half hatrick. 3-0 at half time and it seemed like job done.
Parratt replaced the solid Hebblethwaite who looked solid after his recent injury. Adom has become a solid centre back in the past few months and picked up and continued to make great runs into midfield. A free kick on the right resulted in Parratt whipping in an amazing cross for Staszewski to head home expertly from 10 yards out. The same combination resulted in the impressive Wood's 5th. Parratt whipped a corner in from the left this time to again find Staszewski’s head and finish the game off for certain. The Wood weren’t finished there though and the ever impressive Staszewski completed his own hatrick following some good pressure from Murphy who won the ball from a goal kick and then found the pass for Staszewski to drill home and add the 6th.
In the last minute GFA scored a consolation goal which denied a Wood clean sheet. Mom went to Staszewski who just seems to be able to do the lot. The title race is still alive. It shows how far the team have come that they were upset with conceding late but that should not take anything away from another impressive squad performance.
Just after these fireworks, U11 Boys put on another scorching game against AC Finchley North. Luca in goal played fantastically and even managed a double save today, diving back and scooping the ball from the line while he was on the floor!
Audley, Cristian, Yue and Noah in defence were in superb form and could not have played any better. Aiden returning after illness to his place in midfield, Jayden to his right and Ethan to his left and Bailey up front; it was game on with shots flying in from everywhere.
With the Wood pushing on relentlessly the goals started flowing. After many attempts Noah netted the first with Bailey following up five minutes later. Thomas then came on for Jayden and continued to press and cross. Audley then put a blinder in the net and Aiden followed up with a cross from Audley that was straight to his foot and into the net!
In a fine game to watch, there was brilliant passing, crossing, shooting and goals and the boys played brilliantly as a team today. Mom went to Noah for his continued running, passing, shooting and all round play throughout the game.
Meanwhile, our intrepid U11 Girls travelled away to a very strong and powerful Hemel aces side. The Wood started the game very strongly and had the Hemel keeper working overtime; efforts from Lois, Elsie & Hazel stinging the Hemel keeper's palms as she saved expertly.
Lois was causing issues every time she got the ball and soon went on a jinking run beating three players before calmly slotting past the Hemel keeper! The next 20 mins were very tense with the Wood's mighty front three aided by Karadonna and her dancing, dribbling feet unable to breach the Hemel goal again.
In midfield Amie and Ella had their hands full with the exceptional attack causing no end of problems for the girls to deal with but they stuck to it and held firm. The Wood's defensive trio of Kate, Annie & Kiella had to be on their toes today as the Hemel keeper's booming kicks rained down on their heads, Emily coming back from a sprained thumb was imperious between the sticks today and swept up any danger behind the three musketeers in front of her.
Wood continued to dominate possession and efforts on goal but couldn’t find the second, until a great team goal. The ball was passed out from the back by Annie to her twin sister, Elsie instinctively played a quick pass inside to Amie’s feet, Amie drove forward and released to Hazel who beat the Hemel defence with a slide rule pass to her left winger Lois.
Lois beat her player and chipped across to the back post where Elsie was waiting to volley home the goal of the season! What a wonderful display from the girls!