After weeks of postponed games the U13 boys Wood army finally got to play a game due to the opposition Alexandra Park North booking an Astroturf. It has become a bit of a rivalry with the hosts pipping 2000 to the league by a single point last season. Both teams are class acts on and off the field and this proved for a fantastic battle throughout.
Borehamwood 2000 started really well playing through the pitch with some great passing in a new look 4 3 3 formation. 10 minutes into the game Murphy broke up play and found Staszewski who in turn fed it to Stevens who shimmied past the defender, he then let a thunderous shot go but was denied by the cross bar. The Wood carried on piling on the pressure but the Ally Pally keeper was in remarkable form, denying Stevens again and making a wonder save from an Adoma volley. At half time the deadlock hadn’t been broken.
The Wood at half time were forced into a substitute with midfield maestro Staszewski having to come off injured. Evans dropped in at full back and Joyce took up the central midfield position. The Wood seemed to lose their way a bit and started to get overrun in midfield. The defending from Gardiner at times was breathtaking, not putting a foot wrong all game. Ally Pally built on their new found possession and scored the first goal after a great finish. This hit the Wood hard and they seemed to feel sorry for themselves and Ally pally made the most of this and 5 minutes later made it 2 0.
Was all lost for the mighty wood army?
Parratt replaced Sutherland and Fowler came on for the impressive Murphy who along with Hebblethwaite are improving with every game.
With Staszewzki injured Khan stepped up to the plate and started to dominate the midfield and drive his side forward. There was a glimmer that this Wood side wasn’t quite finished just yet. A free kick was awarded 30 yards out, up stepped Adom who has previous for hitting screamers from distance. This time and to everyone’s surprise he just chipped a through ball over the wall and the on rushing Khan finished in calm fashion. With 10 minutes to go the wood smelt blood.
The game had swung again with the whole 2000 side fighting for every scrap as a team. Adom with a cross field ball found the talented Adoma who from the right cut inside onto his trusty left foot and from a full 20 yards curled the ball into the top corner to make the comeback well and truly on. Amongst all the mayhem. Adoma picked the ball out of the net and placed it back on the centre spot.
Could Borehamwood 2000 get one more? With the solid back 4 of Hebblethwaite, Gardiner, Adom and Evans backed up by Smith in goal the Wood knew they could really push for a winner. With the ball being pumped into the Ally pally box it seemed like a draw was going to be the final result, Stevens had other plans, after a bit of pinball on the edge of the box a half chance dropped to Stevens who volleyed low into the bottom corner, cue pandemonium with every player in the squad and the coaches included to celebrating in the corner of the pitch.
The game was played in great spirit and although harsh on Ally Pally the result was deserved. Man of the match was Gardiner who led by example.
These are the reasons that we are all involved in football, a great team performance to turn the game around when at one point it seemed all over. It keeps the Wood in the hunt for the illustrious league and cup double.
Well done to all involved.