U18 Boys were in league action and with all the other teams in their division playing cup matches, the boys knew 3 points would be vital to close the gap at the top. With over 70 teams and 5 at this age group alone, they faced the top Berkhamsted side at a rapidly greening Pursley.
The Wood suffered a major blow before the match had even started as defensive kingpin – Ifeacho – suffered a thigh injury in the warm-up and was unable to take part. A strength of this squad, however, is the ability of so many of its players to operate seemlessly in multiple positions. The starting line-up was re-jigged, the game commenced and the Wood tore out the blocks from the very first whistle!
Almost immediately Wood pressure forced a mistake which saw Silva lift the ball over the keeper and narrowly over the crossbar. Shortly after Hones’s excellent cross-field ball saw Silva win a corner. Makamian’s delivery all game was on the money and his perfect ball found Manning who drilled home expertly on the volley for his first of the season.
Soon after, concerted Wood pressure saw Silva seize possession on the edge of the box. A shake of the hips, a shimmy from his dazzling feet then the ball found itself flying into the top corner despite the best efforts of the home keeper!
McGuinness was in rampant form and a joy to watch as he unleashed his electric pace. He won possession and then surged forward, sliding a lovely pass into the on-rushing Manning, who steadied himself before drilling a fine shot low and hard for the Wood’s 3rd and his 2nd of the season!
Enjoying a game of the very highest quality, Fan played the holding role to perfection during the match, winning everything in the air and on the deck, passing simply and effectively in the main thereafter while still expressing himself when the opportunity presented itself.
When space opened up late in the half, his beautiful mazy dribble and snap shot was somehow kept out by the away keeper, but, swooping down like an eagle on a mouse was Silva, smashing home the rebound to make it 4-0 and completing a Wood half of the very highest quality.
Second half saw a more even affair with the Wood creating many more excellent chances but, both home and away keepers were in excellent form and the match played out without the ball finding the net again.
Regardless of any hinderances from late night Halloween activities or niggling injuries, when the boys arrived for the game, the focus was solely on what they needed to do to get the points needed against a handy side also hoping to challenge for the league. Without doubt, the response from the lads was magnificent and they delivered totally, with every player ready to put in a huge shift for the greater good. Crucefix and Carlow were massive in defence, winning so many duels and clearances, while we saw probably the most complete performance from a Wood midfield three yet, with Fan, Collier and Manning so tigerish in their battling for the ball and then exuding quality on it.
MoM however went to Elboukhari who took the captain’s armband in his stride, barking out orders left, right and centre, and producing a total keeping display of the highest quality to secure another invaluable clean sheet.
The boys move to second place on their own with a game in hand on the leaders and return to the training pitch next week, absolutely focused as they prepare thoroughly and meticulously for their next challenge against Bushey.
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Borehamwood U18 Girls 1-0 Watford Ladies
On a warm, sunny autumnal morning, The Wood bounced back from consecutive 3-2 defeats to get back to winning ways, picking up all three points away at Watford Ladies.
In a game of few clear-cut chances, it was one moment of quality inside the first 5 minutes that proved the difference. Olivia was played through by Abi before calmly firing into the bottom corner to give The Wood the lead and ultimately secure the win.
Both goalkeepers had to be alert off their lines to deal with balls played in behind, but Nicole in goal for The Wood was rarely troubled by any meaningful efforts on target. At the other end, the Watford keeper was kept busier, producing a couple of good saves with her feet to keep her side in the game.
It’s fair to say The Wood dominated the first half, creating the better of the play, while the hosts came back into it after the break and enjoyed the better of the second half. However, The Wood dug in, defended resolutely and saw the game out to claim a valuable away victory.
Player of the Match went to Missy, who put in another solid performance and played her part in helping the team secure their first clean sheet of the season. It might not have been our best performance of the season, but football isn’t always about playing your best. Sometimes it’s about finding a way to win, grinding out the result and doing the hard work when it matters.
Three points, a clean sheet and a much-needed response. The work rate of this group can never be questioned! 💪⚽
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U16 girls had an away game we would hope to win vs Hemel Reds this morning with an early 9.30 kick off. We opened the scoring with Maisie adding to her tally following a strong and determined run into the box.
The girls huffed and puffed but we just didn’t click today. We gave Hemel chances to get back into the game with some sloppy play, but, it was Lonaldo who gave us some daylight with a fine long range effort for 0-2 the Wood.
Hemel hit our crossbar and had a couple of sights at our goal and were making the game uncomfortable to watch. Again, up stepped Lonaldo with another fine finish and some much needed breathing space in what was becoming evident was a team off day! We rode our luck today defensively and were lucky not to be punished more.
Hemel got the next 2 goals to make it a tense 2-3 game before Maisie finished with another fine solo effort and a great finish into the bottom corner for 2-4. The game wasn’t over though and again Hemel came back and made it 3-4.
It was up to Lonaldo to finish the home side off with another great finish and claim her first hat trick of the season. 3-5 to our girls and we were glad for the game to end and to get out of Hemel with our 3 points in what was a disappointing display from the girls salvaged by some fine finishing up top. Winning whilst playing badly isn’t a bad skill to have and we move on and will hopefully play better next week against the same opponent.