U13 Boys faced a top of the table clash against Oakhill Tigers in the League at Pursley, looking to secure three points and storm to the top of the table. As expected the game was very tight and the first half ended goalless.
The second half saw Oakhill take the lead but, the Wood stormed back when Smith buried the ball in the net after hesitancy from the away keeper. This spurred the boys forward with Rocha a buzzsaw in attack and they dominated the half and seemed set to take the lead before Smith's drive was parried. Despite the assured Adom and courageous Joyce marshalling the Wood backline superbly, Oakhill were a threat on the break and scored late on to secure the points.
The boys came close today and are still in the hunt for League glory. However, they face in-form Northwood away next week in a season defining match and perhaps need to raise their tempo and energies just a little further than today to secure what will be a historic victory? Without doubt it can be done with belief and dedication and all at the Wood will be rooting for the boys as they try to round off a super season with treasure!
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U12 Boys faced AC Finchley away in the league and despite having no subs again, pulled of a great 4-5 win! Like a scene from Batman, Adom went POW to bag the first, Kurti followed up with a WHACK to make it two, Gopinath launched a KAPOW twice to make it 4 before MoM Hartslief rounded off the scoring with a massive BIFF! Holy smokes, boys, you showed great character to secure the win and the club is very proud of you!
This side moves to 11aside next season, with much bigger pitches, longer game times and far more demands on the players; fitness is important as is a dedication to training and playing matches. The team needs parents and players to commit to attend regularly if it is to thrive and fulfill its potential and the club is expecting a great turnout for the remaining games this season to prove this team remains viable. If we get that, the future remains very bright for what is a talented group of boys.
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The U12 girls made the short journey to visit our good friends at Garston Ladies Tigers today in a top of the table clash. After having only one game in the last month some rust was to be expected in this highly engineered Wood football machine! A very strong squad travelled to Garston boosted by the long awaited return of star defender Annie who has just recovered from a meniscus tendon tear.
Emily, our outstanding young keeper was a dominant force today sweeping up and cajoling the white shirted wall in front of her. The magnificent 3 of Imani, Abi and Ella were defending for their lives and their team with no quarter asked or given. The midfield was made up of wing wizards Elsinho and Lois who constantly threatened and teased a resilient Garston back line. Captain Amie had probably her best game in the white shirt of Bwood today and was at times unplayable. She was ably backed by her midfield partners of Lucy (whose skill and tenacity amaze weekly) and Theaya, who today played in 3 positions for her team and excelled in them all. Theaya was a constant outlet for her teammates which is something that she particularly has transferred from the training pitch; support is our key word in training at the minute. Our lone striker and link today was Karadonna who also had possibly her best game in a white shirt and she went on to win POM for her endeavours.
Kara has stepped her game up immeasurably recently, her physicality and her attitude have grown tenfold and the change in her game is palpable.
The game started quickly and the Wood tried to attack at every opportunity. However, a high bouncing ball was allowed to make its way to the very dangerous and talented Garston No9 and she put her chance away for 1-0 Garston. Our girls are made of stern stuff though and this setback produced an outstanding response! The girls put on a footballing masterclass which was also an exemplary advert for the women’s game.
Wave after wave of attacks came from the Wood prompted by the inspired Amie who was being fed the ball by her teammates as they could feel she was on fire today. Amie in turn fed our attacking 3 of Karadonna, Elsinho and Lois whose interplay up front was at times mesmerising.
The Garston keeper was kept very busy keeping the Wood out and she played a key role for the home side. Abi was dealing with all comers and Ella & Imani were launching counter attacks out wide, with Theaya and Lucy both making numerous defence splitting runs to try and support their team. The Wood kept knocking but Garston managed to keep us out up to half time. The message then was let’s not change a thing and just go out and do exactly the same. The second half started and Wood continued to dominate the ball, with Garston left with long clearances to their pacey front players.
The front 3 probing for a hole fed the ball back to the midfield and Amie found herself about 30yds out with the ball at her feet; she beat 2 players and unleashed an unstoppable drive into the corner for a much deserved equaliser. 1-1 and game on! The girls kept probing for weaknesses in the Garston defence but just couldn’t get their noses in front even with dominant possession stats. With 5 seconds to go the Wood were sucker punched with a quick break from Garston’s No9 and the Tigers stole the 3 points in what was an excellent game of football played by two teams of fine young sportswomen and footballers.
7 years or so ago, the Wood possesed another excellent U12 girls team, one that went on to great success, competing in County Cup finals and the top divisions. One of these girls recently made her debut for England U19 Lionesses while many others are playing senior women's football, such as at Harpenden Town, currently chasing promotion to the Eastern Region Women's Football League. All that team gained huge pleasure, confidence and fitness from their footballing adventures and the parallels with our present day girls are uncanny. Today's group possesses everything needed to do the same and greater and this is huge testament to the massive talent and desire of the girls themselves as well as the devotion, dedication and expertise provided by what is a fantastic management team. Together, the future is incredibly bright and while the League title is still a realistic ambition for this season, next season at 9aside and then playing full 11aside at U14 is something we can all look forward to with huge anticipation; it's going to be an incredible journey!