U13 Boys' Wood army travelled to London to play Alexandra Park West in the league after an inexplicable three week break in games. From the kick off this showed as the boys took time to get into their stride.
Camped in Ally Pally's half for most of the first half, the boys finally took the lead when Khan intercepted a pass from the keeper and finished well to take a 0-1 lead. Borehamwood still didn’t really push on but did manage to score another following some good work between both wing backs - Mill and Sutherland - with the latter setting up Smith for his 6th of what is fast becoming an excellent debut season! The half finished 0-2 but the Wood still hadn’t played to the standards they have set themselves this season.
The Wood came out in the second half looking to add to the lead, but, to their credit, the opposition put in a lot more effort in the second half which wasn’t matched by Borehamwood 2000 and in this league if you’re off your game you will pay for it. A goal was scored from a corner when an unmarked player headed home to make it 1-2. After this it seemed inevitable that an equaliser would follow. It duly came with five minutes to go, again through the hard work of the opposition. After a great run the player finished well to make it 2-2. MoM went to Adom who oozes class and enjoyed an outstanding match.
The lads need to take the lesson from this game that even if things are not going your way the minimum requirement is maximum effort. That said, the Wood still sit 3 points clear at the top of the league and are still unbeaten this season. To be disappointed with a draw away from home shows how high the standards are in the team. Roll on the cup game next week.
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U14 Boys plucked the toughest draw possible in the Challenge Cup, facing the number one ranked Enfield Town at Pursley, the current Red division leaders. Undaunted, the boys took to their task with determination and discipline, working very hard to close down space, maintain position and successfully nullifying Enfield's star attack, one of whom is trialling successfully with Arsenal.
Eventually, that guy's quality came through as he spun and slotted to put his side a goal up, but, the Wood's response was fantastic. The side re-doubled it's efforts with Hones, Manning and Silva combining really well down the left hand side and threatening regularly. On one such raid, Silva, a constant bag of tricks, whipped in a magnificent cross that the on-rushing Crucefix drilled on to the crossbar; Captain Reed reacted quickest to slam home the rebound and the half finished level with the Wood very much in the ascendancy.
This they maintained second half but, then a momentary lack of focus saw Enfield receive possession. They surged into the Wood box and Hones' excellent saving tackle was somewhat harshly adjudged to have been a foul; the ref deeming the player was contacted before the ball. The ensuing penalty was scored but, more damagingly, the Wood were then immediately down to 10 after the ref determined a sin-bin punishable offence before the re-start.
Playing Enfield with a full side was challenging enough but, down a player, the odds were simply too great and a stunned Wood were unable to regain their shape or composure and conceded two further goals to make the score 1-4. Thereafter, the boys returned to full strength and again, very commendably, took the game to Enfield with Makamian adding steel to his game and revelling in the physical battle, Reed continuing his excellent form and seamlessly dropping into centre back for the greater good while Pop ran ceaselessly and effectively all match. Silva produced another stunning dribble and seemed to have created a richly deserved second for the Wood but, the ball was just cleared from off the line and the match concluded.
Afterwards, Manager Makamian took a second out of his busy schedule to provide a quick quote for Reuters. 'MoM today went to Marshall who produced a performance of the very highest quality in goal, I'm delighted for the lad as his hard work pays off. Generally speaking, it's tough just now for the squad, lady luck is not smiling on us very much and the challenges are very considerable but, contesting big matches against top opposition like today is where we want to be even if we have to suffer sometimes. However, our boys are acclimatising to this advanced level, our shape and decision making is improving slowly but, surely and belief is beginning to grow. Mistakes are reducing, the many chances we are making will start hitting the net soon and I'm just really proud of my boys for taking on the challenge and giving it their all. We all feel today was a springboard and we can't wait for next week's game!'
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U12 Girls were at home today in the League and welcomed our new friends from Bishops Stortford.
Stortford kicked off and immediately tried to set the tempo with their very good short passing game and it took Wood 5 mins to sort out who was marking who and who was free.
Stortford kept up the early pressure and tried to pin Bwood back but this can be dangerous as we are en fuego on our wings; first Lois tried to break free and test the keeper them Elsie the same.
Midfield duo of Amie and Theaya began to rest control with help from the excellent Hazel having possibly her best game to date without scoring. She was like a modern day Ian Rush defending from the front and winning the ball back high for her team. Elsie was to benefit from this with her first as she beat her player and then the keeper to make it 1-0 to the Wood!
Stortford tried to push back but Elsie had the taste now and kept probing for weakness in the away defence, Lucy came on for Theaya and her tireless running was a new quandary for Stortford. She released Elsie with a slide pass and Elsie dispatched across the keeper to make it 2-0.
Kara on for Lois was causing issues as was Romey on for Hazel as she tried to run in behind the defence. Lucy won another challenge in midfield and had time to compose before unleashing a shot into the top corner which 2 goalies couldn’t have saved!
Emily in goal was producing fine saves to keep out the Stortford attack and her distribution today was exemplary. Wood had time for one more goal before the break with defensive rock Abi picking up the ball outside the box, she calmly controlled before her thunderous shot hit the back of the net.
The second half saw more changes and the Wood's intensity dropped a little. Stortford felt this and pushed for a goal, but they were held at arms length and no silly mistakes kept Stortford at bay.
Ella playing at fullback was beginning to look like Lucy Bronze, attacking and overlapping and she picked up a loose ball in the box and a snap shot made it 5-0 Wood; she almost had her second not long after!
Wood were pressing forward now at will and Amie was dominating midfield with Theaya and Lucy. Lois was leading the defence a merry dance and kept getting balls into the danger zone. Kara almost danced her way through the defence to notch her goal but was just blocked at the end.
The ball broke to Romey who beat the first challenge, then the second, cruising into the opposing area and as the keeper came out, beating her at the far post! 6-0 to the Wood
and a great team performance which has been coming for some time.