U12 Boys have been working terrifically hard these last few weeks to better themselves and have been steadily improving, the result of far greater focus and tactical awareness from the lads. All that's been missing is a win and, lo and behold, that came today with a thrilling 2-1 victory against AC Finchley North East!
The starting line up saw Florin in goal and a defence consisting of Kingham-Patrick, Adom and Joyce, with the guys solid as a rock from the off. The midfield four of Skinner, Kurti, Gopinath and Covasala contained guile and energy, while Hartslief took his place up front.
From the first whistle they boys were on it, closing down players and running their socks off; it wasn’t long before the shots started raining in. A brief lack of focus saw the opposition score but, the boys bounced back superbly. Kingham Patrick raked a ball down the line for Gopinath to shimmy and supply a magical cross that was dispatched expertly by the onrushing Kurti; 1-1 at half time.
Even with the subs made during the first half, the boys still stayed strong. Second half was much of the same. Florin took a break and was replaced by Lehouimel in goal who was diving all over the place. Patrick-Mason in midfield, Powell on the left wing, Ciniviz in midfield, and both Ciochina and Song in defence were all outstanding and the shots were still raining down. Then bang! Hartslief plucked a visionary pass out the top drawer for Adom to gallop through the Finchley defence and find the net with aplomb, securing three great points and queuing wild celebrations from the massed ranks of Wood supporters!
Joyce secured MoM after seamlessly fitting in to centre half and providing a stiff defensive challenge to any opposition striker. What a game and what a reward for all the hard work of the players & staff, as well as the belief and trust of our parents! Very well done and roll on next week!!
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U13 Boys faced a very impressive Hillingdon Abotts team in the Middlesex FA Trophy, severely hampered by a flu bug going through the squad. The lads gave the opposition too much respect early on and were made to pay. The second half saw the lads come out and put in a performance to be proud of with every single one of them giving their all. The match finished 0-9 and it wasn’t meant to be in the County Trophy this season but it’s now time to push on and learn from this game, bouncing back in the league next week. MoM went to Delia who showed tremendous spirit in between the sticks, making many flying saves from start to finish.
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U14 Boys were heavily under-strength as they faced Omonia Green in the League. With two absences and a further two missing through illness, the Wood were forced to ask Song to return early himself from flu just to get a team out.
This in no way excuses the poor technique and lack of focus that saw the Wood make elementary defensive mistake after mistake, leading to the concession of five easily preventable goals. A failure to stop crosses, missing basic clearances or playing them straight to the opposition, as well as being oblivious to marking up are all areas the team must improve in.
All the same, there were so many positive performances from the boys today with many running their hearts out against the odds and playing in this manner until the last kick of the game. There was also a welcome return to the team's passing game, which tore through Omonia on many occasions and is absolutely how the team want to progress from here, ditching the rushed, panicky play that has crept into their game this season.
In defence, Hobbs enjoyed a very good match with far improved distribution while in midfield, Silva and McGuinness were combative, grafting hard and seeking to play whenever the opportunity presented itself. Up front, Song, though clearly not fully recovered still put in a great shift, a huge credit to him, and he was joined in this by Pop, playing in an unfamiliar right midfield position. MoM went to Makamian who, after a shaky opening, just clicked into gear and enjoyed an outstanding performance thereafter, winning countless duels and looking after the ball really well.
The boys go into the League Cup against Div 1 leaders Enfield Town next Sunday and can expect no favours there. They won't need them though as they are ready to put in a season defining performance; they just need to concentrate fully, have every member of the team running hard with no exceptions and they must have the courage to control and pass the football.
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Our U12 Girls travelled away today to Div 1 opponents Ruislip in the League Cup. Unfortunately, we started on the back foot with a depleted squad down to 11 players and only 2 subs.
However, the girls started very strongly and surprised our hosts Ruislip, pinning them back in their own half for long periods; the front 3 of Hazel, Elsinho and Karadonna causing no end of problems to Ruislip’s defence. Amie and Theaya had a tough battle in central midfield against a team that plays regularly at a higher level, but they got to grips with things and started to play their intricate passes.
Our back 3 of captain Annie, Abi & Imani stopped all of Ruislip’s attacks and when they did manage to break our lines, Emily was having a stormer of a game, racing off her line and putting her body on the line, bravely saving at the attackers' feet! Romey and Ella came into the fray on 15 mins and both seamlessly slipped into the Wood machine, both having outstanding halves and giving no quarter to much bigger opponents.
The 1st half flew by and finished 0-0. Hazel came back on for Romey and Theaya got a break for Imani who switched to CM where her tough tackling and close ball control really helped take control of parts of the game. Hazel soon hit the post from good build up play with Elsinho and Ella down our left flank and the pressure was growing, the next attack saw the ball squirm out of a melee of boots and Hazel was on hand with her hammer to smash home for 0-1 Wood!
Ruislip made changes and came back with all they had and eventually got the equaliser for 1-1; if the game had ended here it would have been a fair result. Ruislip started to push the tiring Wood girls back deeper and we found ourselves defending our box to often and a snap shot looped up and over Emily’s head after a small deflection for 2-1 Ruislip.
The celebrations of our more illustrious opponents only emphasised what a barnstorming game this was. Unfortunately for the girls, Ruislip managed one more quick break after a team reshuffle due to star defender Abi having to come off injured; 3-1 Ruislip and that’s how it finished. Coach Dave later said, "everyone in the squad showed today that they can compete and thrive in Div 1. Although the score didn’t go for us today, the football was outstanding and our girls have a really bright future, with Div 1 in this county being where they belong!"