U12 Boys produced another fantastic performance today. With only 9 players for the game due to illness and holidays, the boys were going for it from the start.
Florin in goal was pulling off save after save through the entire match. Kingham-Patrick, Joyce and Ciochina in defence were solid and worked the offside trap very well. While Kurti, Song and Powell in midfield with Adom and Skinner up front all played a brilliant game and it wasn’t long before the shots were being hammered down.
One mistake put the opposition at 1-0 in the second half but that didn’t deter the Wood and they just carried on the fight. Unfortunately we couldn’t find that goal and the game ended 1-0 to the opposition. MoM today was Matei Ciochina for his solid performance in defence. Well done young man!
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U14 Boys hosted Harvesters Blue in the Spring Cup, having lost the previous two matches against this opponent by 3 goals, but also showing signs of now coming into form.
Led tremendously by Captain Hones, the boys started fast and created a number of good opportunities with Ifeacho clipping the crossbar and McGuinness crashing a strike off the post from distance. Montgomery continued his good form, turning the ball over well and keeping possession nicely. Reed once again showed his supreme adaptability, this time filling in between the sticks and playing a solid game, but, not called on to do too much as the play was being well controlled by the Wood.
However, pivotal chances resulting from really good play were not slotted home and this lack of quality in front of goal continued into the second half, with composure missing when the goal was at our mercy or good opportunities were beckoning. Allied to really slack defending on one occasion that saw multiple crosses allowed into the box and a total failure to pick up opposition players positioned dangerously around the goal, and Harvesters' took the lead, following this up with a second some minutes later as the Wood's focus wavered.
The Wood were denied what seemed a good penalty shout after Ifeacho was crunched in the box and Harvesters secured what appeared a fortunate penalty some while after. That was missed and a late Wood revival saw Hobbs produce an excellent finish to reduce the deficit. This setup a rip-roaring finish as the Wood piled on the pressure, the lightning McGuinness almost scoring a tremendous goal after he outraced the keeper to a wide ball, his cross-shot somehow cleared by the defender. Silva then struck a thunderous free kick that the keeper parried away and more good chances came and went but, the boys were unable to level things up.
However, there really were so many positives to take from the performance with everyone in attendance playing well. A little more ruthlessness in front of goal and a bit more concentration at the back and the boys will easily convert performances like today into winning results. MoM was shared by Crucefix and Fan who both worked really hard and adapted superbly to playing new positions.
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The U12 girls had a very tricky league cup fixture at home to 2nd placed Div 1 side Ruislip Rangers. The girls knew they were in for a tough game after our previous meeting away to Ruislip pre Christmas. Wood started the game with only 1 sub due to the half term hols so the girls would have to do it the hard way and tiredness would play a huge part.
Wood's super impressive back four today looked impregnable at times with eventual POM and goalkeeper Emily stopping anything that managed to squeeze past Imani, Abi and Ella.
Emily is in fine form at the minute and could also have won POM last week; today she made many different saves showing off exceptional technique and bravery.
Imani started in a different position today at right back and fitted in like she had always played there, breaking up attacks and starting them. Defensive colossus Abi had another game to be proud, she strikes fear into all-comers with the pace and strength of an Olympic sprinter, add to that her tenacity and will to win, sprinkle in her undoubted skill and you have one heck of a player! Ella playing in her familiar role on the left hand side of a defensive three had to cope with one of the toughest opponents in the league; the fact she did this with aplomb and assured ease shows just how far she has come on her own football journey.
In front of the fantastic 4 the engine room purred like a Ferrari. Skipper Amie fought for every ball in the battle for midfield control. She cajoled, prodded and coaxed her teammates for more and more effort, the midfield unit covering every blade of grass.
Lucy was an unstoppable force running down Ruislip’s players and breaking free whenever possible, causing mayhem in the Rangers back line with her skill, determination and pace.
Theaya had her best game to date and added midfield steel to her metronomic passing ability. This is something that the coaches have asked Theaya to add to her game and she did so with bells on today!
Lois came into a midfield 3 which changed to a 4 and she frightened Ruislip with her constant direct running at pace. She was constantly pushing Ruislip back into a corner and releasing the pressure of attacks. Her tackling back today was excellent and, in one instance, she won 3 tackles in a row and managed to get the team back on the front foot.
Our two attackers today were Kara & Romey. Both our girls were up against it, giving away a huge physical disadvantage. However, this only brings the best out of our girls with both Romey and Kara chasing down the opposition and putting their bodies on the line numerous times, be it to hold play up or stop Ruislip from getting out of their half. Romey fashioned herself a couple of half chances today and is a thorn in all teams' sides; she played with great tenacity. Kara’s undoubted ball mastery and eye for a killer pass was swapped today for large parts with sheer fight and determination, she sensed her role was different and stuck to her task diligently.
Abi scored a contender for goal of the season picking up a ball in no-man’s land behind midfield and in front of the defence, she saw an avenue to attack and strode into it a la Tony Adams. She broke one tackle, skilled the next defender, gathered pace on the run and left defenders in her wake, a trail of destruction lay behind her. Ruislip could sense the danger and all players headed towards Abi. She was now on the edge of the opposition box and drove forward past the next player and into the box. The keeper came out but, a quick shimmy from Abi wrong footed the keeper and with the skill and calmness of a seasoned pro she slotted the ball into the corner! Goooooooooaaaaaaal and 1-0 to the Wood!
Unfortunately for the Wood, the ref had his World Cup extra time head on today and played 4 mins over what should have been! In the 63rd minute an exhausted team just couldn’t clear their lines once more and Ruislip snuck the winner. A draw was a fair result as both teams gave their all and the magnificent 10 will be back again soon!