22/23 - The Word in the Wood #1
Posted on 17th September, 2022
The new season is finally upon us and it's going to be one to remember!
Our U13 Boys played their first game of the season following promotion last season versus a strong Oakhill Tigers side. This season is going to have tough challenges each week following the step up in class.
The Wood settled really well into the game and played some great football early on and seemed to be dominant. This resulted in two quick fire debut goals for Smith, who alongside Adoma is forming an impressive partnership. 2 up after 10 minutes, the Wood then went into their shells and didn’t capitalise on the early dominance and before they knew it found themselves 2-3 down. Switching off at this level will be pounced on and Oakhill Tigers did this with some great goals.
However, this Wood side is made of stern stuff, pulled together and got back in the game when Adoma finished well from long range to make it 3-3. One final push in the 1st half and Adoma again scored to make it 4 3 just before half time.
The second half started and Oakhill caught Borehamwood cold and equalised within minutes of the restart to make it 4-4. The game became a bit stretched all over the park but following some great play between Gusatu, Stevens and Joyce, Adoma was released through on goal and did what he does best; finishing well to make it 5-4 to Borehamwood.
Oakhill applied the pressure and were caught on the counter a couple of times but the Wood just couldn’t put the game to bed. Delia in goal was called upon late and made a great save to deny an equaliser. Two last minute corners were defended well and the Wood saw the game out to pick up a well earned 3 points.
Man of the match went to Adoma for his 3 goals and hard work throughout, a close second was Joyce in the middle of the park who played a disciplined role in front of the back 3.
+
U14 Boys kicked off their campaign in the Herts FA County Cup, with a tough draw at home to Bushey Rangers. However, the boys showed their intent by taking the game to their opponents immediately, raiding through on numerous occasions and raining shots on the away goal. Captain Ifeacho opened the scoring calmly lifting the ball over the onrushing keeper after an excellent pass out the back from Hobbs.
Bushey drew level after a succession of weak clearances from the Wood, the ball eventually falling centrally and slotted home without any of our players able to block it. The guys stormed back and after the excellent Reed smashed the away crossbar from way out, Crucefix picked up the ball skillfully in midfield before feeding a sumptous pass to Song. He producing a perfectly accurately finish that lodged in the bottom left corner of the net; a goal of the highest quality.
Unfortunately, a very poor goal from a freakishly tight angle saw the game levelled again. Second half swung from end to end with Marshall dominating in the home goal and McGuinness & Sunkara threatening constantly up front. The former's late pass opened up the away defence; Silva striking true but just too high to score. As the game seemed destined to enter extra time, Bushey attacked down the right wing and once again, the ball found it's way centrally in front of the Wood goal. Again no challenge was made, the shot hitting home and despite the Bushey post again shaking thereafter, this time from a corner, the Wood exited the Cup.
The boys came into the huddle with heads held high. This was an exceptional performance and a little more composure in front of goal would have seen them comfortably knock out an experienced side. The focus already turns to training Wednesday, learning and improving further and then kicking off their league campaign next Sunday against Harvesters. MoM went to Hones who was superb at the back all game long, constantly playing on the front foot, with Pop also producing a fantastic display!
+
Our U12 Girls moved to 9aside and competitive football all in one fell swoop! The girls got off to a flying start with 3 points in a fab 4-3 home win!
The girls where a little rusty to start but that was to be expected, also up against strong opposition in Chorleywood who we had lost to on previous occasions.
A strong starting 9 of Emily in goal, with Ella W, Abi & Annie in defence, two centre midfielders were Lucy & Amie aided by our dancing wingers of Lois & Elsie. Up front we are blessed with rotation options; Kara starting and Hazel & Romey swapping off the bench. While, Imani played three positions today and excelled in all.
Lucy opened the scoring, winning the ball high from the Chorleywood midfield. She stole in using her pace and picked up the ball and then beat an opposing player, slotting home an unstoppable shot. Chorleywood equalised off a deflected shot that Emily just got her fingertips to but couldn’t keep out; thus the teams went into half time locked at 1-1.
The Wood went 2-1 up with Lucy again involved after breaking one tackle and then going in and winning the next, the ball then ricocheted off the keeper into Kara’s path and she tapped it over the line being after great anticipation. Lois was dazzling on the left wing with her strong running and nearly made it 3, but that honour was left to her opposite winger, Elsie. She attacked Chorleywood’s left hand side repeatedly and was a constant threat, picking up the ball just inside Chorleywood’s half, she beat one and then sprinted towards goal where she also beat the covering defender, before unleashing an unstoppable shot across the keeper and into the far corner! 3-1 Wood.
The game was looking won now but, the visitors showed great heart to get one back with a fine effort on goal; 3-2 Bwood. Buoyed by the goal Chorleywood threw everything forward and caused a mix up between the goalkeeper and the Wood defence and they managed to get their third goal for 3-3.
This spurred the girls on and they grew stronger as the clock ticked on. Then up stepped Imani from left back winning the ball high, beating 2 players then driving into the box to slot home the winner past the on rushing Chorleywood keeper. 4-3 Wood and a great opening performance. Abi making her full debut for the Wood in defence was a rock today and rightly won player of the match!