After the disappointment and manner of their cup exit last weekend, our U18 Boys squad returned to training mid-week with one message repeated again and again; to put in a big shift whenever pulling on the Wood shirt: running, tackling and heading from the start to the finish.
The boys’ first test of this renewed approach was away against Harpenden Colts, the match held at the Harpenden Town FC stadium. A massive club that hosts 8 teams at U18, the boys faced their top side, unbeaten in the league and at home since September, 5 points clear at the top of the top division, with all their players in the older age bracket. This was, therefore, a formidable challenge.
Nothing less than total commitment would do but, two minutes in and two balls had bounced unchallenged on the right with possession gifted away carelessly on the left. Such play is no longer acceptable in this team and the players were rightly and roundly chastised. Their response was simply perfect and the Wood were now off and running.
Keeper Elboukhari was hugely vocal from the off, bossing his box and demonstrating assured handling all game. Crucefix, Captain Ifeacho and Carlow at the back were just not in the mood to mess around, constantly attacking the ball with solid headers and covering each other so well to thwart what was a very sharp Harpenden attack. Fearon-Mcdonnell’s physical presence in the holding role was crucial but, there was even more to come from him the other way. Makamian and Green on the wings were required to work back and forth endlessly and did so with gusto, constantly out-duelling their bigger opponents and winning many free-kicks in the process, with their centre midfield partners Fan and Zefi putting in equally lung-busting shifts, snapping in the challenges time and again while producing high quality passes between the lines. Up front, Collier and Silva gave the team plenty physically and loads of quality as they harried the home defence throughout. In that first half, none of them stopped running and competing and Harpenden just couldn’t handle it.
So often this season, the long ball has bounced or headed towards the Wood’s goal; not today. With 25 minutes gone, Fearon-McDonnell rose like a condor to power it back 30 yards where it came from. Like a flash, Collier reached it first to clip a sublime lob over the keeper and give the Wood a fully deserved 0-1 lead. Harpenden responded forcing a penalty that levelled the match at half time. At the break, all the boys were blowing and in need of plenty of water, just how it should be when a shift has been made.
Second half started and the same 11 continued just where they left off and it was Fearon-Mcdonnell again who pinged a stunning, driven ball 40 yards into the path of the on-rushing Green, controlling seamlessly before being hacked down in the box. Makamian stepped up hoping to fire home his 6th successive penalty but, the Harpenden keeper guessed correctly this time and pulled of an excellent save. No matter as MoM Green was in the process of reaching another level and after picking up possession deep, he now had the Harpenden defence on toast. Striding forward he beat one, cut inside another and then fully unleased the Kraken, the ball lodging in the top bag from 30 yards; a goal of incredible beauty!!
Harpenden fought back with everything they had in a desperate attempt to salvage the points that would all but seal the top division championship, pressing their younger opponents hard as they looked for cracks. However, there were no cracks to be seen as the Wood fought back equally hard, blow for blow, as Pop bolstered the right side and Hones announced his entry with a tackle bomb on the unsuspecting home defence. McGuinness produced a vital tackle too just when it seemed Harpenden would score and the recently injured Manning was able to get a welcome run out at the end before the ref blew up and the Wood secured a famous victory!
Over 9 seasons of learning, there has been no bigger result than the one the boys’ earnt today. They took on an outstanding, top of the table side in their own back yard, unbeaten for six months in the league and gunning for the title. As they absorb the buzz and euphoric high of their achievement, we can reflect that the source of this success was really very simple; just putting in a mighty shift and playing for each other. With this approach, anything is possible and now the boys know it and have proved it by themselves to themselves.
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Meanwhile, our U16 Girls have been steadily climbing the table after a hard start and are now up to 4th spot. They faced Garston in the Junior League Cup this weekend, winning 1-2 away from home and securing the club's first final of the season!! Well done to all the girls and staff and we have a fine May day to look forward to!