U15 Boys today faced a physically developed Colney Heath side that were runners-up in the West Herts Premier last season and liberally sprinkled with excellent players. A fast start was required and the Wood has been good value in providing as much this season but, were flat from the off today and second to the ball too often, weak in the tackle and missing headers all over the park. Colney went ahead through an unchallenged header before Montgomery produced a stunning strike that dipped and swerved as it whistled into the top corner from distance.
However, the Wood again went behind when a hopeful lofted ball was turned into our own net. On this occasion though, 1-2 at half time flattered the team and the half time talk revolved around this, how we'd managed to keep the score down all the same and that perhaps it was our day to go out second half and produce a result?
The boys responded fantastically well and themselves were determined to seize the points, rather than being implored to go and grab them by the staff. Ifeacho snapped out of his first half trance and terrorised some very good Colney defenders, producing a goal of incredible quality; the crowd stunned as it flew like a meteorite into the net past the helpless Colney keeper. Silva began to go through the gears on the left with Fan & Green holding the midfield with much more effectiveness. In this they were joined by Crucefix who produced the pass of the match as Ifeacho latched on to it, rounding the keeper and finding the net in style for his brace.
Colney were staggered and signalling the Wood's intent to succeed, the excellent Hones produced a tackle of truly fervent intensity to broadcast to man, women and child that the Wood would not be denied. The ref blew the final whistle and three invaluable points were secured, the boys experiencing the most wonderful buzz in the process; something made even better given how hard it had been to earn. MoM was shared by Manning and Marshall, who performed as well as anyone to keep the score to 1-2 when the chips were down, this becoming the foundation of our tremendous efforts later.
The team travels to Berkhamsted next week with competition for places and game time as high as it has ever been, and with confidence through the roof as they go in search of that tremendous buzz again!
__
U13 Boys have been working hard to improve and are getting there. Today, they faced a very good Winchmore Hill side but, got off to a slow start, conceding too much space and not working hard enough, inevitably then taking a few heavy hits to go in 5-0 down, despite the outstanding efforts of MoM Lehouimel in goal, producing one fine save after another.
A few home truths were shared by the staff at half time and the lads responded in exactly the manner that was hoped for, drawing the second half 2-2; a really wonderful effort. The talented Gopinath helped himself to a fabulous brace, first taking Joyce's measured pass in his stride before slotting accurately, then collecting a crisp through ball from John, as he fired home with confidence. The boys take this excellent second half performance into next week's match at home to New Salamis and are going for all three points; don't bet against them securing them either.
__
U14 Boys continued their excellent start to the season with a highly professional display away against Ally Pally West, sealing a 1-5 victory which stretched their lead at the top of the league to two points! Chen, Joyce, Smith and Hebblethwaite shared the goals while Abisa secured MoM with a typically indistrious and hard-working display. The boys are in great form, highly confident and ready to take on all-comers!
__
First out at Pursley were our U13 Girls, hosting our illustrious and highly respected neighbours - St Albans City Yellow - who are last season's D1 unbeaten champs, so had rightly earned our respect. Coaches Dave, Rich & Joe all thought today was going to be a tough ask for our newly promoted and injury depleted team. Pola is still unavailable and we had really tough news in the week that Imani is in need of surgery. The injury she suffered against Harvesters last week was as feared worse than we all wished for our gifted young player. All at the club wish Imani a speedy recovery and a quick return to the fold of the team.
The game started and St Albans flew out the blocks and played with the class, skill and composure of champions. It took our girls a good 10 mins to get a foothold in the game but eventually we did and slowly began to build confidence and start to play. New signing Gabi was causing issues down St Albans right flank and after a lung bursting run she found Karadonna in space with a cross to the back post where she would make it 1-0 to the Wood. A big mention to Hazel in the build up to this goal as she occupied the 2 other defenders and made the space for Kara to score.
The Wood defensive wall was at its very best again today with POM Annie, defensive rocks Abi and Ella all having absolutely storming games; add Ava in to the mix and these girls just seem to get better and better. The girls playing out from the back today and bravery in doing so was a joy to behold. Emily and Marissa make up the last 2 of our defensive 6 and both our amazing keepers played their parts today in this fantastic advert for girls football. Our goal nudged St Albans to try and up their tempo which they did but, the D-wall and the midfield quartet of Kara, skipper Amie, Lucy & Gabi worked overtime to keep our guests out. The girls were keeping St Albans at arm's length but a team this good wouldn’t be denied and they scored with a wonderful long range effort to make it 1-1.
The Wood midfield kept probing St Albans' defence for weaknesses, both teams playing the game with attacking flair and a belief in the ball being played on the floor. Another Wood attack produced a corner which Elsinho delivered with pin point accuracy and our rampaging left back Ella showing her growing confidence and ability; she found herself in the box with the ball at her feet, turned one way then the other trying to find half a yard of space, then producing a training ground drag back in the box leaving two St Albans players scratching their heads, as she calmly slid the ball past the away keeper for 2-1 and rapturous celebrations from all the Wood's supporting army.
The girls richly deserved their lead in a ding dong derby game and our job now was to try and keep this excellent St Albans side out again. This is a learning curve for our girls and try as they may St Albans kept coming, and with another long range effort they got the equaliser again. It is to our great credit that we kept St Albans to long range efforts but our next progression is to stop those shots quicker. The game continued in the same vein and a draw would have been a very fair and justified result today but St Albans had other ideas and pushed again and with the conviction of champions managed to find a late winner.
Manager Dave said after the match, "I have never been prouder of my girls, we have pushed what most would consider to be the best team in the County all the way today and could have won. We go again at training with a new found belief in our place at the top table." I think we all agree, this was very well said indeed.
_
Following on were our U9 Girls who are welcoming new players every week as interest in the girls' game goes through the roof. Today they faced Bedwell Rangers at Pursley and the girls were snorting and pawing the earth like bulls as they waited to explode on to the pitch; certainly, wearing a red top in front of them at this stage was not to be recommended!
Sienna wore the captain's armband with pride and this intelligent tactician enjoyed an excellent match, organising the team and encouraging her team-mates constantly. Joining her in defensive duties was Amber, displaying her usual excellent tackling and crisp passing (as well as completing a virtuoso midfield stint). Meantime, Emily enjoyed a fine day between the sticks, courageous and brave when coming out to thwart the Bedwell attack, while debutant Ruby showed grit and determination at the back too and is a wonderful addition to the squad with so much potential and such a modest and pleasing demeanour.
With the back sewn up, the Wood brought out the big guns in attack, with the quick-fire Leah surging forward to crash a super shot off the crossbar! Juniper had enjoyed a strange premonition during the night that saw her score her first Wood goal, but, this was not the half of it, as she ran riot, smashing in 4 of the very best goals you can imagine; what a performance and one worthy of the opposition's PoM award!
Wood stalwart Gracie showed new verve playing outfield before settling seamlessly into goal, while Mia made her long awaited debut, showing the fastest feet in the West as she danced around the pitch with the ball! Just then, everyone looked over the horizon and what was that coming over the hill, but none other than Polly and Tippi sprinting through the Pursley gates and straight out on to the pitch after a diary clash! These two talented, hard-working players laid siege to the Bedwell goal with Tippi driving forward and launching missile like shots while Polly opened her account with a wonderful hat-trick of the highest quality!
However, the last word went to Emilia. Come Saturday morning this girl is hungry, not for Weetabix or a chocolate croissant, but for attacking football and she was in the finest form, dribbling around the Bedwell defenders at will and scoring 2 fantastic goals as she also secured herself the PoM award!
All in all it was a vintage day for the team and as the packed terraces emptied, manager Gareth put down his pint of ale and said, "It was so good to see so many of the girls in attendance today and enjoying themselves so much. We're taking our first steps in this great game but, already we are seeing a marked improvement in every one of our players. These are exciting times and next week's game can't come quickly enough!"