Our U16 Boys kicked off their season against perennial rivals AEK in what is always a tough match. Last minute player absence prior to the game threw our plans into disarray and the game was only a minute old when keeper Marshall was pole-axed from a cross, with the ball finding the net and the ref oblivious to the free kick shouts. Marshall was unable to continue from what was a painful and debilitating injury so Crucefix stepped up to the plate to undertake keeping duties, as he did so superbly towards the end of last season.
Over the course of the match, the boys conceded goals of the very most basic nature, gifting gilt edged chances to the opposition who filled their boots with glee. The team's central tenets of getting to the ball first and pressing as a unit were non-existent and this, combined with a lack of desire and the loss of so many personal duels, saw AEK waltz away to an easy 2-5 win, with the hard working Ifeacho and Popp scoring the Wood’s consolation goals.
However, the second period did see an improvement across the board and players such as Fan and Collier led the way in this with multiple steely tackles and attacking forays.
This improved second half will hopefully act as a springboard for the boys as they seek a much improved performance against Whetstone next week, but, the required drive and hunger needs to come from within the players, certainly if this team wants to vie for honours this season. MoM went to Crucefix who proved once again an exteremely rare ability to play all positions on the pitch to a very high standard.
#
Another glorious sunny day at Pursley saw our U15s take on Hitchin Belles who have just returned to the Herts League in Division 2. It soon became a difficult day for the visitors as the Wood started brightly and got in front after just 10 minutes. A delightful cross to the far post by Lily was met my Louella who smashed the ball home.
We were 2-0 up very soon after following some excellent wing play by Amie who set Louella through one on one with the keeper and she made no mistake with the finish.
Louella turned from goal scorer to goal provider with a neat pass to Yasmin who drilled home our 3rd goal from the edge of the box, and the score at half time stayed 3-0.
In the second half we tried a few different things with formation and players in different positions and the result was much the same as the first half, if not better. We kept the ball very well, created lots of chances and limited the visitors to playing in their own half for most of the second half. A fierce strike from Abi from 20 Yards forced the keeper into a parried save but after a VAR check it was confirmed that it did cross the line before the keeper scrambled it away at the second attempt. Correct decision and well done to the ref for overruling the linesman on that one.
Good footwork on the edge of the box and a nice pass from Milly allowed Yasmin to unleash another fierce drive into the roof of the net to make it 5-0. Shortly after, the goal of the game came with the last bit of action. Amie beat her player on the edge of the box and drove towards goal to beat the keeper from close range. It was a great individual goal and a richly deserved reward for an excellent all round performance from player of the match Amie.
It ended 6-0 and after the final whistle, birthday cakes for Amy and Lilly B were enjoyed by all, along with a nice cup of tea in the sunshine. A perfect morning! So many positives it’s hard to pick them all out but great debuts for Lilly B and Gabriela, a clean sheet, excellent goals and some lovely football played, especially in the second half. The girls all did exactly what was asked of them, some of them playing in new positions. Louella led the line superbly up front and was supported well by a host of attacking midfielders. Lily and Jess were again excellent in the middle of the park and Lily’s set piece deliveries were out of this world. At the back we moved the ball around well, including Nisa, and the communication was great.
This is still only the 5th game that these girls have played together so it is very early days indeed but each week we are improving and the future looks bright for this group.
Next up is a tough away trip to Brook House which will be a real test but we go into it in good form and with confidence.
Our U14 girls had a long away trip to Stevenage today to face a very tough Bedwell Dragons side. The game started almost perfectly for Bwood as we instantly got on the ball and started to play some of the fantastic football our girls are known for, cutting swathes through Bedwell with ease and creating a couple of early chances on goal.
Elsie’s dancing feet, Aanya with her slight of foot and ability to see and play a pass no one else can, and then the tricks twists and turns of eventual POM Lola working her magic behind our superb No9 Gabby, would create many chances between them over the course of the 70 mins. Annie and Pheidi where the team’s starting engine room both working their socks off to get the team going forward and controlling the ball which they did with aplomb.
Against the run of play Bedwell were to take a 1-0 lead; they are also blessed with a fantastic No9 who up until then our new defensive unit of Lucy, Poppy S, Ava & Theaya had controlled and thwarted. The goal gave Bedwell a lift and they raised their game accordingly; the match being 50/50 now and a bit more of a street fight. Still the girls stuck to their principles of good passing and support to get through and create chances and the Bedwell keeper managed to make 2 excellent saves to keep us out, the luck just wasn’t going our way it seemed.
The girls kept fighting and kept creating, Poppy N came on and instantly offered something different with some hard running down the flanks at the Bedwell defence, supported by the non-stop Hazel, who was getting in some excellent crosses to try and feed the front line. Kara came into centre mid and had another sterling game fighting and scrapping for her team, as did Yvie who has a calmness on the ball that belied her years.
Bedwell were to get the run of the green again and go 2-0 up with a fantastic solo effort from their No9 that 2 GK’s wouldn’t have stopped! However, this galvanised our girls who were visibly angry to be behind in a game they had no right to be. The Wood won the ball in defence and played it up to Lola, she beat her player but was closed down by two more Bedwell defenders. Lola played the ball into Gabby who had come across to support her, holding it up and then playing a ball back into midfield to her supporting skipper Annie. Annie controlled and moved forward, got her head up quickly and saw Elsie making the run from right to left to be the new No9 in Gabby’s absence. Annie found her twin Elsie with a slide rule pass and Elsie beat another defender before slotting home; an excellent team goal and Elsinho’s first of the season: 2-1.
The girls where back in this now and were totally reinvigorated, they fought like demons for every ball but again Bedwell got another goal to make it 3-1 at HT. The girls came in angry, annoyed and with their heads understandably down as the score was totally different to the script of the game. We told the girls how well they had played and the couple of things we need to adjust and asked them to forget that half and now go and win the second half which they duly did.
Poppy N making more runs at the Bedwell defence pushing them back, Poppy S and Ava our two CB stopping all attacks and for the most part holding the centre of the pitch with Lucy, Theaya & Yvie. Many chances came and we have to give credit to Bedwell’s keeper and scrambling defence as on at least 3 occasions it seemed easier to score but Bedwell got it away!
The girls never gave up hope though and Gabby was to get her goal after a bursting run from midfield she turned her marker they ran shoulder to shoulder but Gabbs out muscled the defence and was one on one with the Gk and then the back of the net ballooned as she smashed home her goal to rapturous cheers from all! Lola on the left was having a stormer and she constantly drew 3 defenders across to try and stop her crosses, which left for Gabby & Elsinho to attack and they did; we still don’t know how they kept out Elsinho’s effort at goal! No matter how much we huffed and puffed we just couldn’t get the equaliser today as we seemed to have no luck go our way and the game finished in a 3-2 away loss.
From the first whistle, Borehamwood's intensity was palpable. Juniper made a fierce early strike, only to be thwarted by a stellar save from Bedwell’s keeper. But Borehamwood's relentless pressure paid off when Ruby showcased her dazzling footwork to set up Daisy for the game’s opening goal. Sienna anchored the central defense with impressive skill, while Amber’s crunching tackles and perfectly timed clearances kept Bedwell at bay.
Elsie took charge next, weaving her way from the halfway line through two defenders and setting up Daisy for her second goal of the day, neatly slotted into the bottom left corner. With the score 2-0, Emily remained vigilant in goal, making a string of brilliant saves to keep Bedwell from breaking through. Elsie’s magic feet were on display again as she spun past defenders to assist Ruby for her first goal, and then Juniper’s blistering run and brilliant cross found Daisy, who coolly completed her hat trick. A fantastic start to the match!
The second quarter saw Maisie take on central midfield duties, diving into tackles and making impressive solo runs. Daisy’s sharp footballing brain was evident as she made a precise cross to Juniper, who narrowly missed from a tight angle. Borehamwood’s fluid passing and link-up play had us feeling like Brazil with their seamless coordination. Despite their efforts, Bedwell stood strong, making it tough to break through.
As the third quarter kicked off, the girls showed no sign of slowing down. Juniper’s tenacity earned her another brilliant 50/50 ball, only to be met by more excellent goalkeeping. Gracie made her mark with a dazzling display of skill, darting past players and leaving Bedwell struggling to keep up. Borehamwood faced a stiffer challenge as Bedwell introduced fresh legs, but Elsie’s quick feet were rewarded with a well-deserved goal. Maisie’s well-placed corners continued to find our strikers, and Elsie’s powerful long shot rocketed into the net. Amber and Sienna maintained their ironclad defense, ensuring Bedwell didn’t claw back any goals.
Entering the final quarter, the girls’ energy and spirit shone through despite their fatigue. Elsie’s free kick was once again denied by the Bedwell keeper, but she soon made a fantastic run to score her third of the game. The “Wood Army” chants filled the air as Emily made her outfield debut in central defense alongside Amber, and Sienna proved her versatility by pressing forward. Gracie’s alertness in goal and Amber’s goal-line clearance kept Bedwell’s hopes of a goal at bay. Daisy’s quick turn and pass found Ruby, who scored her second of the game. Ruby wasn’t done yet; she picked up the ball from halfway, dribbled past four Bedwell players, and blasted it into the net for her hat trick and earning a well deserved Player of the Match.
In the dying minutes, Borehamwood kept up the pressure, and had it not been for Bedwell’s outstanding goalkeeper, we could have hit even more. The final whistle blew, and it was clear: Borehamwood had put on an extraordinary display of football. The passing was sublime, the teamwork was impeccable, and the ability to find space was simply remarkable. It's remarkable to see how quickly the girls have grown, both as individuals and as a team, over the past year. What a match! Here's to more goal filled games!!