Our U15 Boys started a run of very tough away games against Omonia White today, travelling over to Enfield to face a team that collectively beat the Wood 10-4 in four games last season, finishing 18 points ahead in the league. Coming off a poor showing last week, a fast start was imperative to get something out of the game.
To a player, the boys were simply tremendous as they poured into the challenges and bombarded the opposition goal, however, Omonia carry their own threat and the outstanding Marshall was required to make repeated top quality saves to ensure the Wood did not concede.
Peppering the Omonia goal in return, MoM Silva fired home his first Red division goal, slotting a low shot past the home keeper as he laid on a clinic in attacking football. Pop and Hobbs were raiding down the wings superbly and supplied the bullets for Ifeacho to beautifully dispatch a high quality brace, taking his season's tally to 6 already and regaining his position as the team's top scorer. 0-3 at half time and the boys had produced a stellar performance.
No points were won at this stage, of course, and Omonia came out firing second half and the Wood now had to work out how to deal with new expectations of an easy win, when the complete opposite was likely to be true. In the end, the second half turned into a battle of attrition with Omonia launching the ball long and the Wood battling for everything, with Reed superbly committed at the back and Fan back to his best in midfield in exactly the same way.
The boys saw the game out to record a famous 2-3 victory and show that last season is a distant memory and means nothing now, other than being a valuable learning experience. The lead today was earned with really focused pressing and then high quality ball retention. As confidence and belief grows through excellent performances like today's, we try to apply this method for every second we're on the pitch, rather than rushing to clear and giving the ball straight back to the opposition. Next up are St. Albans City and the boys can't wait to re-join battle with them; before then a Futsall treat and training!
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Meanwhile, our U13 Boys are trying hard to turn their season around but, struggled away against Hendon today. The boys have huge potential and excellent staff giving everything. However, a tough run of fixtures against the division's top sides have hampered progress but, the tide will turn soon, that is certain.
MoM Ward and Joyce both played excellent matches but succumbed very unfortunately to injury. Adom didn't stop in his efforts to improve the Wood's position.
Covasala made many excellent tackles at the back while between the sticks, Lehouimel rolled up his sleeves as usual to perform highly.
The boys will train hard mid-week then return at home next Sunday, ready to have another go. Everyone at the club will be rooting for them!
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Our U9 Girls played London Lions today in a rip-roaring derby match!
The team was captained by Olivia, making a wonderful debut and getting off to a flying start with awesome slide tackles that frustrating the Lions' attackers! Birthday girl Amber celebrated in style with a tremendous shift, constantly getting her head up and reading the game like a good book.
Emily was her usual fearless self and despite suffering from a bit of a cold, made some tremendous saves, winning yet another OPoM! Meanwhile, Tippi and Polly were teaming up like Wonder Woman and She Hulk, passing brilliantly and causing the opposition no end of problems. Midway through the match, Tippi collected the ball and then released the Kraken, the ball hitting the net so hard it tore a hole in it and was last seen heading to St. Albans!
After a comprehensive warm-up routine, Juniper flew off the bench and made an immediate impact, literally covering every blade of grass in a lung-busting display, securing a richly deserved PoM award in the process.
Gracie showed her adaptability and growing confidence as she completed outstanding work in goal, defence and midfield, while Leah Sp continues to improve fast, growing her game with crunching tackles while showing a clean pair of heels when driving forward! Ruby smiled throughout the match, floating around defensive midfield in another assured display.
The girls battled really well despite pouring rain and played their best stuff of the whole season thus far in the final stanza of the match; a wonderful sign for the future. Their heads never dropped and their smiles only got bigger. That's what we like to hear and that's really all that matters at this tender, young age. The club just couldn't be any prouder of them all.