U12 Girls and U13 Boys are both gunning for their respective league titles but, were denied playing key matches in that pursuit by the monsoon conditions. Instead, they've kept their powder dry and will come out firing next weekend!
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After a number of players were unable to attend, U12 Boys travelled away to face HMH Eagles with just 9 players available. However, unbowed by this considerable setback, the intrepid 9 showed true Wood warrior spirit to record a tremendous 1-4 victory!
Led by Captain Kurti, the boys piled it on from the start with great effort and desire from each of them. Adom was in truly vintage form and opened the scoring after Kurti had supplied the opportunity with a sweet pass. Powell then morphed into Kylian Mbappe, flying down the pitch, defenders in his wake before burying a quality shot into the top bag!
Kurti then found another precision pass as Adom raced through to execute the perfect finish. Not content with this, they repeated the feat a little later with the incredible Adom securing an imperious hatrick and the outstanding Kurti making a rare hatrick of assists! Meantime, keeper Lehouimel, and the back three of Covasala, Joyce and Ellams were like a pack of hungry hounds, snapping into the Eagles attack and keeping things tighter than two coats of paint. Patrick-Mason and Skinner, operating in front of them, completed a tremendous team performance, great in possession and hard in the tackle.
When your team-mates can't make it, it's very easy for young players to let their heads go down but, the boys responded in a manner that makes everyone at the club proud. Very well done to them and our staff for performing so admirably. MoM went to Adom, who is a hugely talented and grounded young man and showed today what massive potential he has in the game.
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U14 Boys faced a tough challenge from Omonia Green at Pursley today knowing they would have to be really fast to the ball, tough in the tackle and good in possession if they were to match a side destined for automatic promotion to the top Red division.
The didn't disappoint in a superb first half of football, possibly their best yet, where they comprehensively out fought and out played this top tier opposition limiting their chances and making many of our own. That the Wood were unable to take any of these momentum gaining chances is testament to our finishing at this point, which frankly, requires further time and development, as well as a little more self belief and confidence. That's not a problem as we have loads of time for that, but, Omonia have been free-scoring all season and took the one real chance they got after an opportunity that came about from a defensive decision we might have approached differently, but, learnt much from all the same. However, the Wood defensive unit was superb and tenacious throughout, the midfield & up front just the same with really good shape.
After their game on a heavy pitch midweek, however, the boys started the second half with very little left in the tank. They simply weren't able to match the endeavour and fitness levels of the first half and conceded two further goals, the match ending 0-3 to Omonia. Captain Fan led from the front and enjoyed another very strong game as did MoM Ifeacho, who just wouldn't lie down and was so committed from start to finish. Marshall enjoyed an outstanding match with crucial saves and dynamic distribution.
Manager Makamian spoke briefly at the end and said, 'Near on every game this season has been a thorough examination of every player both mentally and physically, with nowhere to hide, no time to rest, huge individual demands made for the good of our collective squad to allow us to operate at this advanced level. It's been very demanding indeed and I'm so proud of each of the boys for taking on this challenge and giving everything they have for their team and club. We're building young men of character and toughness, guys who are prepared to go into the trenches for each other, and we're pushing them to efforts they perhaps didn't believe they were capable of yet, but are, and I want each and every one to go forward with me into next season, where their efforts to improve themselves this term will reap massive rewards.'
Love him or hate him, and many do just that, he might be on to something there; time will tell?