Our U12 Boys match was postponed but, our U13 Boys travelled far to play Enfield Rangers, a side that has somehow dropped from Div 2 to Div 4 during the season thus far, quite bewildering when points are at stake and League championships are being contended.
Enfield are very strong at this level and started well, simply being too much for a Wood team who didn’t switch on quickly enough and found themselves 3 goals down after 10 minutes. Unfortunately, at this level the boys learned the harsh lesson that you can’t give good teams a head-start before you switch on. Saying that, the boys did then fully concentrate and put in some very decent displays thereafter. The ever willing Hebblethwaite was fantastic throughout, keeping Enfield’s tricky winger quiet. At half time it was 3-0 but the Wood were now matching the opposition in effort which made it a much closer affair.
At half time the boys realised they would need to function as a cohesive unit if they were to get anything out of the game. Rocha came on and worked his socks off to swing the momentum but Rangers added to their lead to make it 4 and then 5-0. The introduction of Parratt, Gusatu and Murphy, and a change of formation helped the boys get the ball down, wide and use the space. It was from wide that the Wood's consolation goal came; a cross from the left wasn’t cleared properly and dropped from the air to Murphy who struck a fantastic volley into the corner for his well deserved first goal for the club. Staszewski in the middle of the park led by example with his energy and pressure but too many players seemed to watch and let him do their work also.
Man of the Match went to Hebblethwaite who is getting better with every game and is really growing into his position. The Wood will look to bounce straight back next week in the league vs Ally Pally South, another team that has come in mid-season from a higher division. These new & totally unexpected challenges are really tough for the boys but, rather than dwell on the questionable logic behind them, the lads are adapting, learning much and improving, no better highlighted by a three goal gap in the first half, followed by just a single goal separating the teams in the second half. That shows the Wood spirit and mentality and our Trojans are going for it in 2023, and we assure you, it's going to be a fantastic journey!
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U14 Boys faced Whetstone Panthers in the League looking to set down a big marker for 2023 and show all our future opponents what they can expect when they face our talented squad this year. The loss of Silva to illness was offset by the return of Montgomery from injury and the team took to the field with a new focus plainly evident.
Tackling hard and getting to the loose ball first were key requirements, as was calmness on the ball once secured, tiring the opposition with well placed, incisive passing. The boys executed perfectly from the ref's opening whistle and were quickly into the lead with Sunkara releasing Wood legend Ifeacho for his first, the same player expertly converting the penalty he won for his second goal. The tireless Sunkara drove through the away defence to score an excellent individual goal, grabbing another shortly after; just too strong for the opposition players. Fox in the box Fan was on hand to drill home the 5th just before half time and the boys really couldn't have performed any better, with excellent supporting performances from midfielders Montgomery, McGuiness, Pop & Crucefix, working really well for each other and pulling the team's strings.
In defence, Marshall, Reed, Hones, Manning, Hobbs & Captain Makamian were keeping things nice and tight and playing out the back really competently, the latter flighting a superb ball into the outstanding Song, who took it first time from distance, curling the ball skillfully past the stranded Whetstone keeper. Hobbs then moved into centre midfield and his energy, power and desire saw him threaten repeatedly when the opposition had plainly had enough. In just five minutes, he deftly finished an incisive and quality Sunkara through ball, then drilled home after a wonderful mazy dribble from wing wizard Song. There was still time for him to seal a majestic quick fire hatrick just before the final whistle, the 9-0 result being greeted by euphoric scenes from the Wood faithful in the stands, soaked to the skin by the incessant rain, but, toasting warm all the same, courtesy of the boys' fantastic endeavours.
With such a first class squad performance as this, MoM could have gone to so many in attendance, but, Sunkara secured it today with crucial early goals, several assists and consistent tackling and passing throughout the match. However, no one was carried in this game, every player contributed so much and we are now entering a period when this Wood team is going to get better and better together and show the entire universe what it is really about.
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Today saw the long awaited return of juniors' grassroots football and the second half of the season at Borehamwood 2000, with the U12 girls hosting their old adversaries from Goffs Oak on a horrible rainy, windy & muddy morning at Pursley Fields.
The weather put paid to any hope of the beautiful game breaking out, nor seeing the free flowing football our girls are becoming known for around the county! Add to that a very, very tough and determined Goffs Oak side and a battle royal was afoot! Over the years we have had many ding dong battles with this Goffs side, but our quality has always prevailed in the end. A 1-1 draw away earlier this season showed how resilient and tough this new look Goffs side are though; coaches Dave & Rich knew today would be a tough game and that’s exactly what we got.
Wood won the toss with Captain Amie electing to play into the wind first, which in hindsight could have been a crucial decision today! Goffs extra size and strength helped them take control of the game for long periods of the first half, the wind at their backs also helping massively to pin Borehamwood back. The girls had to scrap & fight to show their own resilience and heart today, and also their massive will not to concede!
Elsinho on the right was able to show glimpses of her undoubted quality today often breaking free from defensive shackles. Lois on the left kept up the fight but was often doubled up on by the Goffs defence, as they knew of her danger. Lucy and Amie in center midfield were fighting through the mud to try and show their quality aided by Theaya who made some amazing tackles to break up play today and then move the team forward with a calmness beyond her years.
Lucy’s lung busting runs where thwarted more by the pitch than the opponents and the same was true of Amie’s lock picking passes, which got caught in the mud! Hazel & Romey up front had a real hard fight today against players double their size but they never gave up fighting for their team and chasing perceived lost causes. Today also wasn’t a day for the sublime & silky skills of our Karadonna, she knew it was just about putting in a shift for the team which she also did really well.
The back line of Annie, Abi & Ella found themselves backpedalling at speed lots today, the long ball was used often with the wind against them! Goffs' attacks were coming in waves but these 3 warriors aided ably by the flying Emily and Imani held the line and were never beaten or broken. When Imani came into the game her quality on the ball made her shine like a diamond in the rough. The first half ended 0-0 with Bwood the happier with the scoreline.
Wood came out for the second half knowing the wind was in our favour; the game quickly turned into one that saw us dominate more than the first half. Goffs were still very dangerous but their attacks where more sporadic. Abi, Annie, Ella & Imani where coping with anything that was thrown at them, while Abi & Imani both took chances to push into midfield and get shots off at goal with one such effort from Imani drawing gasps from the crowd and a fantastic one handed save from the Goffs keeper. She beat 2 players inside out, set her feet and let rip curling into the top corner, the Goffs keeper, to her credit, somehow pushing it onto the bar though.
The midfield of Theaya, Lucy and Amie started to get more time and space on the ball and were able to start dictating play more. Goffs energy was starting to sap playing into that wind and with the ground rapidly deteriorating. On a foray down our left flank Lois was released only for a fine covering tackle to stop this Wood attack.
Quick thinking from Amie and Imani saw a sharp throw to feet, a couple of neat passes then Amie found herself with a sight of goal, she unleashed a right footed drive towards the goal and it was in; 1-0 to the wood with 4 mins left! The crowd really did go wild, however, the girls needed to calm and compose quickly as they have learned they are vulnerable with over celebrating in this situation. True to form Goffs threw everything at us for the last 3 mins and we fought a terrific rear guard action. The Goffs keeper was up for the final corner and they had every player in the box fighting for the equaliser to their huge credit!
This left the back door unlocked though and, once we cleared our lines, Romey broke free 20 meters into our half; she ran with all her might but could instinctively feel the bigger Goffs player catching her; she took a snap shot on the run and it just went past the post.
Cue the final whistle and wild celebrations from all the Wood's U12 girls' family!
Today was an absolute barnstormer of a game and some of the Goffs girls were on there haunches at the end as they had put so much into this fixture. A draw would have been a fair result but football is cruel sometimes. At the end our girls consoled the Goffs players in what was a great show of sportsmanship and camaraderie. We come away 3 points better off and with a new found respect for the quality of our excellent opponents today. PoM was secured by Amie who also captained the side and scored the winner; that's a pretty good impression of Wonder Woman if ever we saw one!