Borehamwood 2000 U15 Boys hosted Evergreen Hawks in the last league game of the season knowing a win or draw would be enough for them to gain promotion. A loss though would hand promotion to their opponents. The Wood were in fine form and looking forward to the game. Both teams had beaten each other 2-0 before in games this season so this was going to be a good test.
The game started at a frantic pace with the Wood going close on a couple of occasions. Evergreen looked to hit Bwood with the long ball, something they did well in the first encounter of the season.
The Wood couldn’t get into their groove and Evergreen all over the pitch just seemed to want it a bit more. Evergreen scored the first goal when a shot was charged down but deflected to the Evergreen forward who finished well to give them the lead. 0-1.
This should have woken up 2000 but they started feeling sorry for themselves and in a game like this, this wouldn’t work. Adom and Fernando defended the long ball well with the help from Hebblethwaite and Mill sweeping round well. Torshakani was called into action a couple of times and did the job. Going forward the threat of Lennard, Staszewski and Parratt weren’t having much luck and when they did get through the Evergreen keeper was equal to them.
Staszewski struck the bar from a free kick, this should have pushed the Wood forward but they were dealt a bitter blow when a cross was only half cleared and Evergreen made it 0-2. Half time followed and the Wood were shell shocked.
In the half time team talk a few home truths had to be told. Borehamwood player for player are a better footballing team but sometimes that isn’t how games are won. The Wood had to show their grit and determination and let Evergreen know that they could match them man for man with determination. With the character in the team and previous performances the Wood management and supporters knew that they were still very much in this game.
Sheppard, Sutherland and Chen came on to try to get the ball down and put the Evergreen back line under some pressure. Borehamwood started to play their passing game and started to get on top of Evergreen.
With the long ball, Evergreen were always a threat with their pace in behind. The midfield of McGregor, Joyce and Gilsenan started to play and surely it was only a matter of time till the Wood were back in the game. With 20 minutes to go in the heat, a water break was needed, the message was to give it one big push to get back in the game; a goal for Borehamwood and it would be squeaky bum time! A rousing speech from the usually quiet McGregor had the team ready to go out and give it their all. Murphy and Evans came on to push the team forward.
After some great skill in the middle of the pitch by McGregor, he released a super 30 yard ball for Lennard who went through 1 on 1 with the defender; after turning him inside out the defender lunged in and gave away a penalty. Up stepped the ever reliable Staszewski who dispatched the penalty to make it 2 1 and his 28th goal of the season. Game on.
This had the exact effect the Wood knew it would have. Evergreen, who in the first half seemed so composed were now panicking to clear everything. All over the pitch the Wood were matching Evergreen and the pressure was starting to show. With minutes to go the ball fell for Sheppard in the area who whipped the ball across the far post, this was surely the last chance for Borehamwood.
But… following a great ball into Lennard’s feet the defender was too keen to get the ball and committed a foul. 30 yards out and Staszewski stood over the ball. When most were expecting a shot, Staszewski floated a ball to the back post for Lennard to shoot across the goal from a cute angle to make it 2 2 and send the players, management and parents into delirium. 29th of the season for Lennard.
A minute later after some nervy moments, the final whistle went and the Wood had done it. Promotion secured!
These boys can play the beautiful game but also get stuck in and dig deep, they are never beaten and will give everything for each other to get a result. These strengths will hold them in good stead for their Cup final next week. Wood army ⚽️👍🏼