U15 Boys travelled to Whetstone looking to build on their recent match there, the boys narrowly losing 2-1 on that occasion. Last week, the boys lost 0-3 to New Salamis in a very disappointing performance that lacked energy and fight; as important as the points would be in their relegation battle, the key requirement for this game was to put that right from the off.
For 35 minutes against the pitch slope, the team was incredible: getting to the ball first, supporting each other, passing and moving. Hobbs, moving on at the end of the season to focus on a promising boxing career, was outstanding, as were centre back partners Boshjaku (back to his imperious best and putting it all on the line time and again) and Manning, displaying great quality on the ball. Makamian was working the right wing diligently, stopping Whetstone crosses at source and putting in one memorable challenge at the back post that saved a certain goal. Green, Silva and Crucefix were controlling midfield with real authority, with so much running, endeavour and quality. Marshall too was in excellent form in goal, looking confident and focused, claiming crosses with style, while up front Ifeacho and Da Silva were a constant threat, interweaving effectively and testing the home keeper regularly.
The goal the Wood deserved came after a pin-point Crucefix free kick sailed home after the Whetstone defence were unable to clear it away. The team were now in total control of the match and both McGuiness and Song joined the fray effectively, working incredibly hard for the cause.
However, this season has seen the Wood snatch defeat from the jaws of victory on so many occasions and today was no different, the boys walking in at half time 2-1 down after two sequences that defied logic.
It is to their huge credit that the boys came out second half to throw the kitchen sink at Whetstone but, both sides enjoyed periods of pressure and chances, and it was Whetstone that scored again, courtesy of a penalty decision that was rather nice if it goes for you and a real choker if against. The match finished 3-1 and Green was named MoM after fitting into centre midfield like a glove, his energy levels, ground coverage, tackling and ball quality of the highest order.
After the game, the Wood manager took five minutes out of his schedule before teeing it up badly in the monthly stableford, saying, ‘the boys represented their club to the very highest standards today and filled me with pride throughout. It was my decision to push them into this top division and in doing that, I forced them into a level of football that was challenging for them all and extremely difficult for some. However, they believe and understand that a tough, challenging period is often the making of a great player later and from where they’ve come from, all the boys have improved immeasurably. After some time to bed in what they’ve learned, next season will see this Wood side truly fulfil their ambition and we move on to the next games with that in mind, simultaneously pushing and supporting each other to greater and greater levels.
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Pushing hard for their title, our U14 Boys secured an excellent 1-2 away victory against AFC Southgate. Adom, in defence, was in no mood to mess about, giving nothing to the opposition attack. However, not content with that, he surged up the pitch to score a brilliant goal! Staszewski then piled on, smashing home a second Wood goal to secure victory. Singleton enjoyed a brilliant day's work between the sticks and deservedly secured MoM.
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After starting brilliantly in their match against Garston Wildcats, the Wood's U13 Girls endured a difficult five minutes that turned the game on its head, the opposition taking a 0-3 lead.
However, when all seemed lost, the girls dug in hard and fought back with their famed and unbreakable spirit to the fore. First the irrepressible Greenfield danced around most the opposition team before dispatching a fierce shot into the top bag. The outstanding Uwagboe then hammered home from distance to bag another before Greenfield streaked through to force home a third. Between the sticks, Bell was in inspired form pulling of one triple save that had the Wood terraces rubbing their eyes in disbelief. Goymer moved like a Rolls Royce at the back, always in the right place to sweep up Garston forays, while Adams in midfield was constantly probing and displayed great quality throughout.
Numerous chances followed with some saved, some flying just wide, others crashing of the woodwork and the match ended 3-4. However, the girls were a real credit and the match was a truly fantastic advert for the female game, with great endeavour and quality on show throughout.
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