The Word In The Wood

25/26 - The Word in the Wood #25

Posted on 15th March, 2026

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 6^th 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.

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!

25/26 - The Word in the Wood #24

Posted on 7th March, 2026

Our U18 Boys faced Wheathampsted in the League Cup Semi Final knowing a win would propel them to a level not reached previously at our club. The draw was a good one too, the boys having bested their 2^nd division opponents 4-8 earlier in the season, Wheathampsted also coming off a heavy loss last week against an opponent the Wood had beaten to reach this tie.

All of that is just an indicator, of course, with what a team does on the day being the only thing that ultimately matters and, sadly, it was Wheathampsted not the Wood who were prepared to give everything in this match.

The Wood started on the back foot, uncomfortable on the ball and lacking energy to compete. Poor play saw the early concession of a corner that was allowed to flash across the goal when a routine clearance should’ve been made. Somehow Wheathampsted didn’t profit but, the warning was there and not heeded and it was only Makamian’s tracking back that stopped another certain goal after what already seemed like yet another defensive header missed after just 10 minutes.

It was 15 minutes in before the Wood got it down and played with an almost instant return; Silva’s scorching volley being well held by the keeper after Collier, Makamian and Ifeacho had combined to supply him. Soon after, Montgomery and the excellent Manning exchanged passes nicely to feed Green, whose shot was saved. Elboukhari was then forced into what can only be described as a genuinely world class save, somehow keeping out a fierce drive that seemed sure to hit the net after the Wood marker had fallen asleep.

This before another outstanding leap kept out another home effort destined for the net.

After making a welcome and long awaited return from injury, the introduction of Fan in midfield provided grit and quality that was sorely missing, immediately completing a crunching tackle and snapshot that almost caught the home keeper out. Soon after Fan tested the keeper again after good link-up play between Montgomery and Makamian, while Crucefix’s free kick was to sail just over after Silva was fouled.

The Wood were in the ascendency with Makamian really firing now, linking up beautifully with McGuinness to release Silva at point blank range, the home team fortunate that his effort was at the keeper this time, followed soon after by a curled shot narrowly wide after more good play, this time from Makamian and Montgomery.

With half time nearing, however, the Wood failed to stop a routine cross when favourite to do so. There was little danger in any case, but, the ball was sadly steered into the away net. That smarted but, with cools heads and a determination to avoid a repeat, this was not an insurmountable blow. What followed was anything but though, with the Wood very fortuitously avoiding the concession of a penalty after a lazy challenge and then going 2 down anyway, the Wood’s defence bystanders as Wheathampsted filled their boots.

Out second half and an early goal was crucial and it should have come, Silva’s stunning cross narrowly steered wide of the goal by Song after good movement from him to get there. Shortly after a loose pass backwards and a weak attempt to tackle gifted the home side a third, and only two minutes later, another missed header saw a 4^th go in.

To avoid a cricket score, the Wood re-jigged and finished the game salvaging some pride, with Ifeacho excellent at centre half. Two goals came from players that never gave up, Fan assisting Green who finished in style, and then Silva taking a high ball from Elboukhari before slotting with great composure for number 22 of the season. A comeback threatened for a while but, there was too much to do and the boys went out 4-2.

It says much that MoM went to outstanding keeper Elboukhari and it’s a tough pill to swallow when only a handful of Wood players perform to their levels, putting in the necessary shift and quality required for a game of this magnitude. The goals conceded on the day were very poor and the amount of balls and challenges missed in central midfield and especially defence could never provide the foundation for a win, despite scoring twice away from home. Meanwhile, the Wheathampsted players were outstanding to a man, raised their games massively from the very first minute and were fully deserving of the win and the great and historic day out they have earned for themselves and their club.

Some of the lads delivered today and can be proud of their efforts, but, with more games and big occasions coming thick and fast, all the boys will get further chances soon to prove that they can also be counted on when it matters and that big games should be greeted with confidence and boldness for success, rather than the jumpy nerves and whimpers that always serve up failure. If more understand and master that, then those great rewards may just come our way one day too?

Borehamwood 2000 U11 Girls travelled to Stevenage determined to put last week’s defeat firmly behind them, and from the moment the whistle blew it was clear they were buzzing and ready for the challenge. With Gracie wearing the captain’s armband, the team stepped onto the pitch full of energy for what would turn out to be a thrilling match not for the faint-hearted. Truly a game of two halves.

The first half was dominated by Borehamwood, who controlled possession and dictated the tempo. Sienna, usually a rock in defence, showed her versatility by stepping into midfield. Almost immediately she made an impact, playing a superb ball out wide to Gracie on the wing, who was unlucky not to deliver a cross to Elsie waiting in a prime position in the box. At the back, Tippi and Amber worked brilliantly together. Tippi’s power and pace allowed her to open up play and link the ball forward to the strikers, while Amber showcased excellent footwork with perfectly timed tackles and calm control on the ball. Amber linked up particularly well with Daisy on the right, and one flowing move saw Daisy thread the ball through the middle to Elsie, only for the Scarlets defence to block at the very last moment.

Scarlets briefly shocked the Borehamwood supporters when they broke free, but Olivia in goal read the danger superbly and raced out of her box to make a vital clearance. Moments later she was called into action again, pouncing like a cat at the feet of a Scarlet attacker to deny another goal attempt. It was a reminder that even when dominating, you can never get comfortable. Scarlets threatened once more, but this time Tippi produced a tremendous goalmouth clearance, finding Sienna in midfield, who again switched play out to Gracie — the pair proving a perfect partnership down the wing.

Fresh legs soon arrived as Juniper came on as striker and Maisie entered midfield. Borehamwood’s attacking trio of Elsie, Juniper and Daisy began linking up beautifully, spreading play across the width of the pitch. Finally the deadlock was broken. Amber found Daisy in space and she confidently struck the ball from around 20 yards out, catching the Scarlets keeper off guard and nutmegging her to give Borehamwood a deserved lead.

The goal lifted the whole team and Borehamwood quickly doubled their advantage. Tippi unleashed a powerful long-range effort which the Scarlets keeper could only fumble, and Elsie reacted fastest to slot home the rebound. The crowd were going wild. Borehamwood were flying with confidence and had clearly figured out how to break through the Scarlets defence. Soon after, Tippi tried her luck again with another long shot. Once again the power proved too much for the keeper to handle and Elsie was perfectly placed to smash home her second goal of the game. Borehamwood were relentless, with Daisy narrowly missing the target with another long-range attempt. Amber then displayed more excellent skill, working the ball out of a tight angle and finding Maisie in midfield just before the whistle blew for half-time.

The second half saw a tactical reshuffle. Sienna dropped back into defence alongside Tippi, while the engine room of the team belonged to Maisie in midfield. A change in goal saw Emily take over the gloves. Sienna was quickly drawn into a physical battle at the back, while Gracie continued powering down the right wing, though one dangerous cross toward Elsie was well blocked by the Scarlets defence. At the other end Emily produced a brilliant save, diving across the goal to stop a low, powerful shot.

The Scarlets clearly had an inspiring half-time team talk because they returned firing on all cylinders. A suddenly energised Scarlets side pushed forward relentlessly and Borehamwood had to adapt quickly. Maisie dropped deeper to support the defence, while both wingers tracked back to help protect the lead, leaving Elsie ready up front for any counter-attack opportunities. Daisy produced some remarkable dribbling down the wing and took a knock for her efforts, forcing her to retire from todays game.

Borehamwood relied on their strength at the back to clear the ball toward the wings and relieve pressure. Juniper nearly added another goal when she battled brilliantly through the middle of the park, her pace leaving defenders behind as she raced through one-on-one with the keeper. Unfortunately her shot was well saved.

As the match entered the final five minutes the tension was high among the Wood Army supporters. Scarlets launched one final push for goal, but Sienna calmly cleared the danger. Moments later, to the huge relief of Borehamwood, the final whistle blew on an intense contest.

It truly was a game of two halves. Borehamwood dominated the first period with confident attacking football, while full credit must go to the Scarlets for their determined second-half performance.

Player of the Match went to Olivia for her heroic goalkeeping in the first half and the confidence she showed making game-changing clearances outside her box.

Opposition Player of the Match went to Daisy for her relentless attacking play and a stream of accurate crosses that kept the Scarlets defence under constant pressure.

One of the biggest lessons from the match was Borehamwood’s ability to react under pressure. When the momentum shifted in the second half, the team didn’t panic. Instead, they rolled up their sleeves, dug deep and worked for each other. Players tracked back, covered their teammates and battled for every ball. It showed real character and resilience — the kind of attitude that great teams build on, proving that when the going gets tough, Borehamwood are more than ready to get stuck in and fight for the result together.

25/26 - The Word in the Wood #23

Posted on 28th February, 2026

On a battle-worn pitch that tested every touch and tackle, Borehamwood 2000 U11 Girls delivered a performance bursting with courage, character and class against a formidable Berkhamsted Raiders' side.

Led out proudly by captain Elsie, Borehamwood stepped onto their home turf with fire in their eyes. The pre-match huddle bursting with belief. The message was clear: this was our ground, our game, and they were ready for the fight. From the very first whistle, the match exploded into life at 100mph.

It was Tippi who set the tone, a crunching tackle that echoed across the pitch, followed by a powerful clearance that found Elsie in space. With confidence beyond her years, Elsie danced along the edge of the box, weaving through defenders before spotting the keeper off her line. She struck sweetly, only to be denied by the crossbar. A statement of intent. Borehamwood meant business.

Berkhamsted struggled to settle, and whenever they threatened, Sienna was there ,calm, composed, and commanding, snuffing out danger before it could ignite.

Borehamwood’s wide, open play stretched the game beautifully. The ball flowed to the wings, and when Juniper whipped in a teasing cross, Gracie was inches away from connecting. Moments later, a dazzling zig-zag of passes between Elsie and Gracie sliced through the defence, only to be halted at the last second. The creativity was electric.

Striker 'Juniper' showed incredible commitment, tracking back to defend with determination. Tippi’s clearances grew stronger and sharper with every phase of play. This was a team clearly working for each other. Every tackle, every sprint, every pass fueled by unity.

Then came the impact from the bench. Amber and Polly injected fresh power and pace into the game. Amber wasted no time, throwing herself into a crunching challenge that lifted the crowd. Polly’s energy was relentless, bursting through defenders and earning a hard-fought corner. Tippi stepped up and delivered a fierce ball that rattled the near post. A goalmouth scramble followed, but the brave Berkhamsted keeper just managed to gather.

At the back, Olivia showed remarkable awareness in goal. Quick off her line, brave beyond measure, she cleared danger from outside her box and quickly closed down strikers to force their shots wide. Behind her, Maisie was the picture of consistency. Composed as ever, focused, and perfectly timed in her challenges. At half-time, the message was simple: “Keep doing what you’re doing.”

Before the restart, the team gathered for a thunderous “Wood Army!” chant that rang with pride. The second half was just as fierce. Amber controlled the tempo in defence with confident footwork. Juniper continued her tireless tracking back. The tackles flew in from every angle, all brave, committed, and fair. This was football at its most passionate.

Gracie showed immense bravery in a challenge that left her nursing an injury. A true testament to her dedication.

Up front, Juniper dazzled with solo runs, unlucky not to connect with Elsie from a dangerous cross. When Berkhamsted broke free, it was Emily’s in goal who delivered a fantastic sprawling save. Elsie continued to torment the defence, at one point taking on four players before forcing a strong save. The rebound fell to Juniper… her shot struck the post. Again, the Berkhamsted keeper reacted quickly. It just wouldn’t fall.

In the dying minutes, Juniper was fouled, earning a free kick in a dangerous position. There was only one name on everyone’s lips — Tippi. She struck with immense power toward the top left corner. The keeper flew across and palmed it away. So close.

When the final whistle blew, the scoreline didn’t reflect the dominance, the heart, or the sheer spirit Borehamwood had shown. But here’s the truth. Results fade, however performances like todays do not. If football matches were decided on teamwork, resilience, skill, and relentless enthusiasm, Borehamwood 2000 would have been clear winners. Not once did a head drop. Not once did efforts waver. Every player gave everything.

Player of the Match: Amber. A defensive warrior who battled for every ball.
Opposition Player of the Match: Elsie. A constant threat, fearless and creative from start to finish. On a difficult pitch, Borehamwood 2000 showed exactly what they stand for.

Pride. Passion. Progress. Well done girls!

U15 girls had a tough but very winnable away fixture in the quarter finals of the cup today. Unfortunately though, a seemingly biased linesman, a debatable refereeing performance and too many performances below their potential saw the Wood suffer a heavy 5-0 reverse.

The girls started the game really well and were the dominant team for a good 25 mins with G9 and Lonaldo going close a few times. Bury were always scrapping and running their socks off to their credit today. They took the lead against the run of play from their first attack and the resulting corner; the Bury player made sure she was first to the ball and finished very well to her credit.

Then came the day’s first but most contentious decision when the ref listened to the home linesman and gave a free kick against us after G9 had scored an excellent equaliser. Gabby and the Bury centre back had a terrific physical battle all day with two strong and athletic young women giving their all. The linesman who should have had nothing to do with this situation flagged for a foul after G9 out fought her opponent and finished past the keeper. This was a shocking decision and affected the outcome of the game as at 1-1 and in the ascendancy and being the dominant team we feel we’d have gone on to win.

Fate had a different plan for us today though as Bury were to score their 2nd from a possible foul on G9. The game was stopped and from the restart Bury stole the ball and a very powerful run went two thirds of the pitch to score. Then came the second contentious decision which knocked the stuffing out of the girls. Poppy N made a great covering tackle, running and winning the ball cleanly, but, when the Bury player went down the ref pointed to the spot! This was never a pen, even backed-up by the aforementioned home linesman and the entire Bury staff.

The girls’ heads dropped and we just couldn’t get back into the game though G9 kept fighting up front with Lonaldo and Poppy N also putting in excellent shifts. Some perspective can be found around the game with this being the worst 2 weeks this team has had to cope with in its history on and off the field.

A real chance missed today and we do feel very hard done by, but we didn’t play to our potential and the Bury girls performed magnificently today. We graciously wish them all the best in the next round.

25/26 - The Word in the Wood #22

Posted on 21st February, 2026

Despite heavy rain in the lead-up to kick-off and initial doubts about whether the match would go ahead, a late decision was made to play — and it proved well worth it as Bwood2000 U16 Girls produced a superb performance away at Brook House in Hayes.

The Wood started brightly, coping impressively with both the opposition and the challenging pitch conditions. Their positive approach was rewarded on 27 minutes when Olivia tapped home at the back post after Abi beat her defender and delivered a superb low cross.

Seven minutes later it was 2–0. Jess released Scarlett with a perfectly weighted pass, and she drove forward from inside her own half, carrying the ball around 40 yards at pace before calmly firing the ball beyond the advancing keeper.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with The Wood in control and restricting the hosts largely to set-piece opportunities. A series of corners provided Brook House’s main threat, but they were unable to make them count.

On 60 minutes the visitors extended their lead to three. A lovely exchange of passes between Olivia and Martha carved open the defence, allowing Martha to slot confidently past the keeper.

The hosts responded with determination and pulled a goal back on 70 minutes, briefly raising hopes of a comeback. However, those hopes were quickly extinguished when Olivia produced a moment of real quality, bending a superb strike into the top corner from a tight angle.

This was a true battle in testing, muddy conditions, but The Wood’s victory was thoroughly deserved. It was a stark contrast to last weekend’s match against Chesham on the astro, where our performance merited more but the result didn’t follow. Given the difficult conditions and the challenge of this venue, this win felt especially satisfying. Every player contributed to an excellent team performance, but Player of the Match went to Scarlett for her outstanding goal and relentless work rate throughout.

We are now unbeaten in 5 games and in great form as we head into the later part of the season. This is no more than the girls deserve after enduring a difficult start to the season but they have bounced back strongly and deserve immense credit.

The U15 Girls had a depleted squad heading down to Goffs Oak for the lunch time ko on Saturday. A couple of late loan signings completed by the legendary Mary needed to be formalised late Friday in order to ensure we could get an XI on the pitch.

With Pola returning to the side for the first time since the U13s and Isabela back after a lay off. Team stalwart Theaya was required to play in goal and star striker Gabby took one for the team to play alongside Poppy N in an unlikely back 4.

The side had two sets of twins with Annie and Hollie who play up a year in the U16s helping out this week. Annie and Elsie lined up in familiar positions in midfield with Lola putting in a great shift at left back and Maisie up top.

Wood raced into an early lead with the lightning Maisie leaving the home defence for dead and calmly slotting the ball away. Soon afterwards Maisie again beat the offside trap (and a somewhat flag-happy home Lino). She slipped passed the hapless keeper and was all set to pass into an empty net when she was cynically chopped down. It was a reckless mistimed tackle which caused terrible damage to Maisie’s ankle as she was forced off the pitch.

The remainder of the first half was a scrappy affair, but with Annie J putting in a great shift in the centre of the park and Gabby playing superbly at the back we managed to see the half out.

After halftime the girls really started to play and soon went 2-0 up after some smart work from Lola ‘Lefty’ Phillips. From that point there was only one winner as the Wood pressed for more goals. Annie B jinked her way through the defence to score a class solo goal to make it 3 and could’ve followed with a second when she hit the post trying to score a pen she had won herself. The Wood dominated the majority of the second half with Elsie beating her full back regularly and with Pola and Hollie really starting to dominate in midfield with skipper Annie.

All in all it was a good 3 points against limited opposition, but it was great to get the game on and get the W. We are looking forward to getting Skippy, Aves, Embo, Aanya, and Ris back next week as we look to advance in the League Cup away at Bury!

25/26 - The Word in the Wood #21

Posted on 15th February, 2026

U18 Boys faced Berkhamsted in the league looking to grab three points and get match fit for their massive Challenge Cup semi final next weekend. Conditions were brutal with a slick surface, monsoon rain and an Artic blast.

However, to their great credit, the boys were not phased by the conditions, rolled their sleeves up and got stuck in. The football was excellent and the team created chance after chance. On this occasion though, none could be taken; Fan and then Green finding the keeper, Fearon-Mcdonnell firing over, Silva unable to find the target.

It wasn't easy at all but, on rare forays forward, Berko found the Wood net twice without issue, two clean headers dispatched with no Wood defender challenging. It's a familiar story and the half time score didn't seem to reflect the sides' performances but, small differences mean a lot when scoring and conceding goals.

Second half saw Berko score twice more, Silva pulling back a consolation goal and the match ended 1-4. In summary, it was important to play minutes and the boys will be stronger for it next week. They also learnt much about themselves, with some clearly enjoying the unusual challenge presented by the conditions.

Performances of note saw Elboukhari enjoy a solid game, Ifeacho was lively and a supplier of numerous chances, Montgomery put on a shift in the midfield while Manning and Makamian were solid on the wings. Zefi looked lively on his return from injury too, while MoM was shared between Crucefix and Hones, who were both massively up for the match and played superbly from the first whistle to the last.

Now the focus turns to the Challenge Cup semi final and a top, older opponent in Tring, who are beating all-comers and already in the final of the County Cup. With the Wood 26-7 down against the older teams this season, only a fool would think a shock was in the offing, right? WRONG, and the Wood will give it everything next week knowing that records are just there waiting to be smashed when chances are taken one end and players are marked up properly at the other.

25/26 - The Word in the Wood #20

Posted on 7th February, 2026

On a soggy Saturday afternoon, with the rain hanging in the air and the pitch heavy underfoot, Borehamwood 2000 U11 Girls showed exactly what they’re made of. Coming into the game off the back of two tough games, the message was clear: this would not be number three.

Led out by top goal scorer Elsie, the girls formed a pre-match huddle that said it all. Focused faces, fired up, ready for battle. From the first whistle, you could see the determination.

Our attacking trio of Elsie, Juniper and Gracie wasted no time. Gracie immediately took control, spraying the ball wide to Elsie who overlapped with purpose, charging down the wing before a Bury defender just managed to block her effort. It was end-to-end football from the start.

Bury threatened early, but Olivia in goal showed outstanding awareness, racing off her line to close down danger and prevent what could easily have been the opener. Her reading of the game was exceptional all afternoon, even clearing confidently outside her box when called upon.

In defence, Tippi’s powerful left foot became a weapon. Her precise clearances not only relieved pressure but earned praise from the opposition coach — and rightly so. Alongside her, the back line stood firm whenever Bury tried to break.

In midfield, Maisie was everywhere. Covering every blade of grass, winning the ball, driving forward and picking out intelligent passes, she set the tempo. One surging run ended with her finding Elsie, who dazzled down the wing only to see her shot drift narrowly wide.

Juniper showcased her skill next, winning the race from a Bury goal kick and weaving through defenders before just missing the target. The pressure was building.

Changes brought fresh energy. Polly slotted into midfield seamlessly and Sienna strengthened the defence. Gracie tracked back tirelessly, battling for every ball and threading a perfect pass to Juniper, whose shot forced a save. Borehamwood were knocking on the door.

The breakthrough came in style. Gracie twisted and turned through the centre, lifted her head and delivered a perfectly timed pass to Elsie, who calmly slotted home. Deadlock broken.

Confidence surged. Elsie turned provider with a powerful run and layoff to Polly, whose shot was saved. Soon after, Gracie again unlocked the defence, finding Elsie on the wing. This time Elsie smashed home her second. Borehamwood were in control.

Juniper was determined to get on the scoresheet. After a long-range effort struck a defender’s arm, the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped Juniper. Her fellow strikers on the edge of the box like coiled springs ready for action if needed. Juniper was calm, composed, clinical, as she buried it into the left corner. Sheer class.

Even when Bury added an extra player and the game shifted to 7 vs 8, Borehamwood didn’t panic. Amber’s cool head and superb first touch steadied everything at the back. She and Sienna worked brilliantly together, covering and communicating with maturity beyond their years.

From a Juniper corner, Maisie met the ball sweetly on the half-volley and fired home a goal that sent the crowd wild. Polly then powered through the defence with strength and pace to add another, her smile afterwards almost as brilliant as the finish.

The final stages saw experimentation and confidence flowing. Sienna pushed forward onto the right wing and looked completely at home, timing her runs perfectly and whipping dangerous balls into the box. Elsie chased her hat-trick relentlessly, while Tippi delivered pinpoint corners. In the dying moments, a flurry of shots from Maisie and Gracie were denied by an inspired Bury keeper.

When the final whistle blew, cheers echoed around the pitch. This was a statement.

The girls played with heart, intelligence and teamwork. They controlled the tempo, trusted each other and moved the ball with precision. After two difficult results, they showed resilience, belief and togetherness.

Opposition Player of the Match: Tippi for her dominant clearances and perfectly timed tackles.
Borehamwood Player of the Match: Maisie for her relentless energy, intelligent passing and a well-taken goal.

A thoroughly brilliant performance. The determination to turn a flat spell into a performance full of character and quality. This is what Borehamwood 2000 are all about.

U15 girls had a home game vs Ware this morning, we had to switch pitches and hire an Astro pitch as Pursley was submerged!!

We have played Ware many times over the years and always managed to come out on top.
This is a New Ware set up though and they had other ideas for today’s game. With a strong wind in our faces and sideways rain the first half it was going to be tough.

Ware didn’t disappoint and the first 10-15 minutes was a real test as they moved the ball really well and looked very dangerous. The back five consisted of Emily in goal with Yvie and TJ at fullback, with Ava & Riss at CB who had to work really hard against a lively and dangerous Ware forward line.

Our midfield five of skipper Annie, PoppN schemer Aanya and wide players of Maise and Elsie were struggling to get to grips with the Ware movement initially but grew into the game. We were still creating chances though and Gabby had a couple of half chances as did Elsie cutting in off her wing.

We had an excellent bench today with Lo’s and Abi & Amie joining us for the day from the U16’s. These 3 came on after 20 mins and helped to wrestle the game back in our favour, Abi & Amie’s experience playing up a year holding them in good stead. We started to play the game in Ware’s half only allowing them the occasional break.

We really should have gone in a couple of goals up at half time but we didn’t take any of the numerous chances the girls created in what turned out to be a fantastic half of football played by both teams. The message at half time was much of the same please but could we move the ball quicker to the wings with maybe one less touch as we had a lot of joy from there particularly from Elsie in the first half.

The girls went out with a point to prove and we were soon 1 up through G9 as she got her 31st of the season. The goal definitely gave the girls a sense of freedom and an ability to relax a fraction, and then start playing even better football. These girls would soon get another from a corner from Lonaldo played in low where G9 met it at the front stick and curled it into the net! 2-0 the Wood.

Ware definitely didn’t recover well from conceding the goals, our girls grew into the game and none more so than Gabby who scored a marvellous 3rd goal. Starting some 30yds out from goal she went on a mazy slalom run beating at least 3 Ware players, she then rounded the keeper and with a composed finish she places the ball in the net, cue wild celebrations from the whole team at this truly marvellous solo effort ! The celebrations also had something to do with finally taking the game away from Ware after they had been a very good opponent.

With 10 to go the game looked over but Ware kept fighting and never gave up, with 5 mins to go G9 would make it 4-0 with another smart finish past the keeper and the despairing defenders. 4-0 final score.

25/26 - The Word in the Wood #19

Posted on 31st January, 2026

U16 Boys put in an excellent squad performance today. Questions were asked last game about attitude but the boys showed it was a small blip. At 0 0, a penalty was awarded to Nascot Wood only for Pointer to pull off a wonder save to deny the forward!

The Wood dominated for large periods and took a well deserved lead just before half time when a clearance fell to the edge of the box to Wilson, who finished with a thunderous effort into the top corner.

In the second half it was all Wood pressure and chances were going begging until Sheppard broke the offside trap and found Gilsenan at the back post to wrap the game up 0-2.

A special mention to Lennard up front for his relentless running and pressure up top, so unlucky not to score, and also for MoM Fernando who was a class above at the back.

Back to the top of the league with 7 games to go!

U18 Boys faced Harpenden Buccaneers in the league on a heavy surface at Pursley. Confidence should have been high after some good performances recently but, the boys seemed inhibited in the warm-up and there didn’t appear to be a great belief in themselves or what they needed to do to get a result.

As to be expected, the start wasn’t great and Harpenden looked much stronger and more focused as they laid siege to the Wood goal, spurning several good chances and seeing keeper Marshall push one on to the crossbar as the Wood’s players drifted in and out of the game. In return Ifeacho’s powerful run and finish was saved by the away keeper who was then beaten all ends up by Makamian’s excellent effort from Green’s corner, the ball cannoning off the post to safety. Shortly after, Montgomery’s creative pass saw Makamian drill another shot goal bound, the away keeper saving low this time.

Pop’s introduction saw an increased output in midfield and the Wood were now on the front foot, with Green setting away Silva whose long range effort was thwarted by another good save. However, Harpenden were to take the lead after too much space was afforded on the edge of the box, and though Carlow blocked the first one well, their player had two bites of the cherry and found the net.

A second followed almost immediately after a cross wasn’t dealt with, the Harpenden player out numbered 3 to 1 but, still able to steal in unnoticed. Then a third after a slightly fortuitous bounce and the Wood had another mountain to climb, once again mostly of their own making.

To their great credit, the boys responded so well second half, a resolve and determination about them that simply wasn’t there at the start of the match. They rolled up their sleeves, put in a massive shift and dominated the half against their older opponents with the best of the chances seeing Ifeacho almost turn in the away keeper’s clearance and Silva fire narrowly over from Elboukhari’s massive goal kick. At the back, Elboukhari was to produce a stunning penalty stop to ensure Harpenden did not score again and Carlow also stopped a certain goal with a last gasp touch, to add to the aerial dominance he’s developing.

The game drew to a close with Makamian feeding Silva, his powerful drive palmed on to the crossbar by the keeper, then roles were reversed with Makamian just unable to turn in Silva’s cross. The final whistle blew and pride was restored.

The game saw several very good performances with Montgomery, Makamian, Green and Silva particularly impressing and giving it everything throughout while Manning put in an excellent display in several positions, showing what a talented and adaptable player he is.

MoM went to Elboukhari for a second half clean sheet that he contributed much to securing.

The squad moves on, mid-table having stumbled against all those teams above us, but, too good for those below us. The boys can do it against the better teams though and already do so for long periods, but, they have to prove they can deliver performances and results over the whole 90 minutes. Greater focus and desire, particularly at the start of matches will hopefully see that materialise in time.

Today the U15 girls had a first round home draw in the Junior League Cup vs our friends from Ickenham Youth Raptors.

The game started really well for the girls with constant pressure on the away team goal; we managed the breakthrough when G9 got her first of another fine hat trick on the day.

G9’s second was an outstanding finish from this young lady and very reminiscent of the great R9; she picked the ball up just inside the opposition half and her first touch took her past and away from her marker, then a foot race and Gabby was soon into the box, then composure and a deft finish curled low and past the despairing keeper into the bottom corner! Pure quality and a joy to watch; Gabby has already reached 30 goals this season and we are not in February yet!

Maisie was in the mood and was not going be kept quiet, she helped herself to 4 goals with two outstanding finishes one into the roof of the net from an angle and another beating the keeper from 25yds!

Skipper Annie also got on the scoreboard with a screamer from outside the box that almost broke the net! This was the icing on the cake for our skipper in another dominant midfield masterclass.

Twin sister Elsinho hit a brace cutting in from the left flank after swapping wings, two absolute screamers that flew into the top corners. This girl’s dancing feet are a joy to behold, always a goal threat and now adding assists weekly to her game; Elsie is having a stellar season!

Our midfield schemer Aanya wouldn’t be denied a goal either, after helping create so many, a switch to right midfield helped her drift into the box unnoticed and get a shot off across the goal and past the keeper.

We made lots of changes today with our defence going up front and our forwards playing at the back for most of the second half. Yvie was POM today as she didn’t put a foot wrong, no pass astray, no tackle missed, aided by Ava & Riss with TJ as rock solid as ever on the left.

Ava and TJ both nearly got on the scoresheet today and deserved a goal for their performances. We finished the game with Lonaldo, our left wing maestro, marshalling the back line and showing her football brain across 5 different positions.

A massive shout out to the Ickenham girls who even at 11-0 never gave up, they are a credit to themselves and their club

The mighty Borehamwood 2000 U11 Girls travelled to friendly rivals Croxley Green and were met with a warm and welcoming reception. Led proudly onto the pitch by captain Sienna, Borehamwood looked focused, confident, and ready for battle.

From the very first whistle, Borehamwood exploded into life. Making immediate use of the wide areas, the wingers were involved straight away. On the left, Gracie threaded a perfectly weighted ball through to Elsie, whose powerful shot was brilliantly denied by the Croxley goalkeeper. It was an early sign of things to come.

The heartbeat of the team sat in midfield, where Maisie worked tirelessly, driving the team forward while tracking back to support the defence whenever needed. The ball soon found its way to Daisy on the right. Showing real intent, Daisy sped down the wing, cut inside, and unleashed a fierce long-range effort, once again matched by an outstanding save from the Croxley keeper, who was quickly becoming a thorn in Borehamwood’s side.

Croxley had moments where they threatened to break through the middle, but Tippi stood tall and strong, reading the game superbly. With one powerful clearance, she delivered a pinpoint pass straight into the path of Elsie. Elsie controlled the ball well, drifted wide, and delivered a dangerous cross that was unlucky not to find a teammate in the box.

A few changes injected fresh energy into the game. Juniper entered the pitch on the left wing and made an immediate impact, weaving in and out of the Croxley defence, lifting her head and always looking to find a teammate. Xyla added pace and determination, announcing her arrival with a crunching tackle just moments after stepping onto the pitch.

It was all Borehamwood. Wave after wave of attack tested the Croxley defence, but their goalkeeper was in inspired form. Polly, now in central midfield, skillfully dribbled past defenders and fired off a close-range shot, yet again denied by a stunning save. Undeterred, Borehamwood kept pushing. Daisy turned provider this time, whipping in a perfect ball for Elsie, whose shot was once more saved.

The half-time whistle blew, and despite the scoreline not reflecting their dominance, there was an overwhelming sense of belief and confidence within the Borehamwood camp.

The second half picked up exactly where the first left off, with Borehamwood hogging possession and pressing high up the pitch. Elsie continued to be a constant headache for Croxley, striking the side netting within minutes of the restart.

With tactical tweaks, Gracie moved into midfield while Polly pushed into a more attacking role on the left. Gracie quickly found Elsie, who took on two defenders with impressive footwork before blasting a long shot that cannoned back off the post—yet another moment where luck refused to favour Borehamwood. A scramble followed, earning Borehamwood a corner. Juniper stepped up, drilling the ball to the edge of the box, where Elsie’s effort flew just over.

Croxley showed flashes of quality, especially when finding space on the break. One such moment saw them close in on Emily in goal. One-on-one, there was only going to be one winner, and it was Emily, who pulled off a superb sprawling save to push the ball away for a corner.

From that corner came the defining moment of the match. An eagle-eyed Daisy collected the ball on the right as it zipped through the box. Showing incredible pace and determination, she raced the length of the pitch, cut inside, nutmegged a defender with sublime skill, and calmly picked her spot to blast home a brilliant, well-deserved goal for Borehamwood. The crowd went wild.

At the back, captain Sienna led by example, controlling the ball with confidence and composure. Growing with every game, she showed she is not only strong defensively but also a skilful player capable of opening up play and driving the team forward.

Borehamwood continued to press. Daisy picked the ball up from the halfway line and surged down the wing once more, unleashing another long-range effort that was again saved.

In the final five minutes, Elsie produced a moment of pure magic. Skill that would have made Maradona proud and left Paul Daniels utterly bemused. Twisting and turning past three Croxley players with the ball seemingly glued to her feet, she fired off a shot that was somehow kept out by the outstanding Croxley keeper. Croxley were not finished, forcing Emily into two more excellent saves in the dying moments.

When the final whistle blew, the full story could not be captured by the scoreboard. Borehamwood 2000 delivered a performance of courage, creativity, and relentless determination.

Results matter in the immediate aftermath, but performances are what lasts and this was a shining display of teamwork, grit, determination, and belief.

Player of the Match: Elsie – for being a constant attacking threat
Opposition Player of the Match: Juniper – for her work rate and never-say-die attitude

A brilliant team performance from the mighty Borehamwood 2000

25/26 - The Word in the Wood #18

Posted on 24th January, 2026

U18 Boys faced Bushey & Oxhey Bobcats at Pursley in the league, looking to push on up the table and continue their good form of last week, despite missing three with injury and another through absence.

Captain Ifeacho led by example soon after the opening whistle blew, winning the ball in the Bushey box, his shot too hot to handle as the Wood went 1-0 up. Carlow was imperious in the air all game and his defensive header sailed to Silva who controlled superbly before planting a finish in the top bag from 30 yards; 2-0 with a goal of magnificent beauty.

With some of the biggest units yet seen in juniors' football, Bushey had their chances and Marshall continued his excellent form with fine saves on multiple occasions before Collier killed the ball superbly, releasing Song to cross accurately for Green to score his first, all of them cleverly playing the whistle when others had stopped.

The half ended 3-0 but, the Wood were soon scoring again after Collier again turned provider with a sweet run and pass to Silva; the run and finish for his brace right out of the top draw. Makamian’s early pass found Collier, who slipped in Ifeacho to drive home for his own brace and 5-0.

Excellent build-up play from Collier, Green and Makamian, saw Collier get the goal his efforts deserved with a fine drive while El-Boukhari was keeping it tight the other end between the sticks. Silva was now in over-drive, the ball sticking to him like Velcro and after an amazing mazy dribble down the right flank, put it on a plate for Song to slam home his first of the season: 7-0.

The 8^th was special with Makamian showing quality to feed Green, who moved it forward. So many players admire their work but, Green was buzzing and driving on, able to take the cute reverse pass from Ifeacho before showing great calm to place his finish. Silva and Green combined soon after and Ifeacho delivered another assist with Green hammering home for a an excellent hatrick and 9-0.

Crucefix enjoyed another very good game with strong heading a welcome addition and he was to score for 10-0 with a delicious curling free kick. The last word went fittingly to Carlow who powered in a totally committed header from Silva’s pinpoint corner, the likes of which you won’t see bettered anywhere all weekend.

The Wood were good today, the keepers focused to keep the clean sheet, the centre backs aggressive and dominant in the air, a midfield mixing steel with silk and a front line pressing constantly; everyone passed it unselfishly and finished with aplomb. Some players were exceptional with Silva virtually unplayable and Collier and Green playing at their highest levels also, but, in truth, everyone in the squad enjoyed a very good match, the result bearing testament to that. MoM went to Song, returning after a month out from injury to perform well, both scoring and assisting.

Next week, the boys face a new challenge against the older Harpenden Buccaneers, but, 5 minutes aside, they are now 13 goals for and none against in two 2026 matches. Confidence is high and we look forward to playing all-comers.

U15 girls were glad to be back at Pursley today after what seemed like months on the road and away from home. We hosted our friends and last season’s D2 champs Bedwell Dragons on a sticky but playable pitch. Gabriella (our indomitable G9) was celebrating her 15th bday today so we all hoped for a win and also a goal for Gabby.

Our squad is literally at breaking point atm and today we had the bare 11. Lonaldo was running a temp of 40 on Friday night so she was unable to play today added to long term injury Poppy S. The magnificent 11 rolled their collective sleeves up and ran themselves into the ground!

Birthday girl Gabby was to open the scoring in a very dominant first 20 mins where we could have been 5 up but didn’t take our chances, this has been a theme for us this year dominating teams and allowing them back into games we should have been out of site in.

Our second goal came from our other lethal attacker Maisie with a fine finish in the box after being released by schemer Aanya for 2-0 the Wood. We were cruising now but seem just as capable of beating teams by 10 goals as we are at shooting ourselves in the foot right now! This happened when we allowed Bedwell to get one back before HT and change the outlook of what was a positive and dominant first half.

Turning round and playing down the hill second half we put the pressure on and G9 took the game away from Bedwell with 2 quick goals to get her bday hat trick 👏. That wasn’t enough for G9 as she helped herself to a 4th with a persistent finish in the box when she wouldn’t be denied. Captain Annie was having another storming game covering Pursley grass pitch completely; they say the earth is covered by two thirds water and the other third by Annie Jeffery! Her twin sister Elsie was equally as effective and destructive and had a hand in a lot of today’s goals in a tireless performance.

The defensive unit of Yvie, Ava, Riss & TJ soaked up all pressure and kept the Dragons from our door with Riss having a particularly good game for someone who’s only just started playing on the pitch. Schemer Aanya got into the goalscoring act with a fine finish from 30yds, she turned her marker inside out stepped forward composed and set herself, letting fly with a shot over the GK and into the roof of the net for 6-1 Wood.

Dragons to their credit got another goal to keep them interested which was frustrating for the team to concede another today. Our last goal today was a thing of beauty with Maisie crossing the ball and G9 rising to head it back across the go and into the corner for her 5th of the day and our seventh.

Final score 7-2 the wood

U11 Girls welcomed an in-form Berkhamsted side on home turf, with the scene perfectly set for an explosive encounter. From the very first whistle, it was clear this was going to be a test of character as much as footballing ability.

A focused pre-match huddle set the tone, with captain Juniper leading her team out with pride and purpose. Berkhamsted won the toss and kicked off, wasting no time in pressing forward. Early pressure was met head-on by Sienna, who produced two crucial clearances to steady the ship, while goalkeeper Emily was quickly into action, pulling off a sharp save at her near post.

As Borehamwood settled, their quality began to shine through. Tippi tracked back brilliantly to win the ball and calmly fed Daisy on the right. With her trademark super-speed, Daisy burst down the wing and fired in a dangerous cross that was unlucky not to be converted. Borehamwood were well and truly back in the game.

The front three linked up superbly, causing Berkhamsted all sorts of problems. Juniper picked out Elsie through the middle, who danced past a defender and laid the ball into Daisy’s path. Daisy’s effort crashed against the post, and her follow-up was heroically cleared—agonisingly close. Berkhamsted attempted to counter, but Leah stood firm in midfield, forcing the danger away and winning a corner. Up stepped Juniper. Her delivery found Elsie in the box, and in classic Elsie fashion she showed composure beyond her years—control, glance up, picked her spot, boom.... a goal!! Borehamwood deservedly took the lead.

Berkhamsted remained dangerous on the break, forcing Daisy and Juniper to dig deep and help defensively. The introduction of Gracie and Amber injected fresh energy, and Borehamwood continued to push. Daisy again turned provider, finding Elsie whose shot was blocked, while Gracie thrilled the crowd with a blistering run down the wing.

Despite Borehamwood’s dominance, Berkhamsted pulled a goal back from close range. Undeterred, the Wood kept going. Juniper fired narrowly wide. Anisia was immense at the back, strong, fearless and winning every 50/50. Borehamwood won another corner, which nearly brought a second as Elsie reacted quickly, just lifting her shot over the bar.

Berkhamsted’s pace on the counter proved decisive, and after a scramble in the box they edged ahead with a second goal. Borehamwood's heads never dropped. Juniper’s cross nearly found Gracie, inches from a dramatic equaliser as the half drew to a close.

The second half was played with relentless energy. Leah dictated play from the centre, switching the ball wide, while Sienna and Tippi formed an unbreakable partnership in defence. Daisy’s crossing was a constant threat, and at the other end Emily produced a world-class save from point-blank range to keep Borehamwood in the contest.

Free kicks came and went, with Daisy and later on Tippi both denied by brave Berkhamsted defending. Juniper covered every blade of grass, leading by example with tireless running, while Amber’s intelligent reading of the game snuffed out danger time and again.

As the final whistle blew, the result may not have gone Borehamwood’s way, but the performance spoke volumes. This was a team display full of grit, determination and boundless energy. The defence stood like a wall, the midfield controlled and opened up play, the forwards linked beautifully—proof of why football is called the 'Beautiful Game'. And behind it all, a brave goalkeeper whose courage never wavered.

Player of the Match went to Tippi for outstanding defending, sharp decision-making, and astonishing energy, made even more impressive after competing in cross-country the day before. Well done, Borehamwood 2000. A tough result, but a performance packed with pride, heart, and lessons that will only make this brilliant group stronger.

25/26 - The Word in the Wood #17

Posted on 18th January, 2026

Our U16 Boys started very brightly to hold a 3-1 lead in their league match against Harpenden Cowboys and were perfectly placed to retain their spot at the summit of Division 3. However, a lapse in concentration allowed their opponents to steal a draw, the match ending 3-3. The damage is not great and the team remain handily placed, but, this lesson in keeping focus will be learnt by the boys and make them better for it next time.

Excellent goals came from Connor (curling home a stunner from distance with the outside of his boot), from Josh (powering home a totally committed bullet header) and from Wood behemoth Lennon, who slotted home cool as the proverbial cucumber, also securing MoM after a Hoddlesque display from midfield!

Our U18 Boys faced unbeaten Berkhamsted away in the league having not played for over a month, the weather disrupting the plans and hard training they put in over the festive period. A six-pointer against a mainly older side, the boys would nevertheless have to be at it despite the enforced break if they were to secure the points.

Unfortunately, so many of the starting line-up were well below par, very quiet, on their heels, losing their duels and powerless to stop Berko storming into a 3-0 led within 10 minutes or so. In truth, things couldn’t have gone much worse and changes were made immediately. Hones, Montgomery, Fearon-Mcdonnell and McGuinness entered the fray and started competing to the levels expected, the Wood’s performance improving instantly. Thereafter, as further rotations were made, the replacements worked harder and improved their earlier performances massively. The conclusion could only be that hard work pays off, that responsibility for this is with the individual, and that passing the buck does no one any good, falls on deaf ears and should be avoided entirely.

Though the Wood would not score, the remainder of the first half was a much more even affair, with Makamian slipping in Collier to drill home cooly only to be denied by the tightest of flags, the outstanding Hones producing the ball of the match to allow the lively McGuinness to sting the home keepers’ hands and Fearon-Mcdonnell striking brilliantly from way out, only to see the keeper again produce a tremendous last gasp save.

Second half saw the Wood fully awake, with all the squad engaged and taking the match to Berkhamsted. Makamian, a player transformed, stood up his defender then danced past him in the box only to be fouled. His penalty kick slammed home for his 5^th of the season and it was game on. Shortly afterwards, Crucefix, enjoying a very strong game, also reached 5 for the season, his precision delivery turned in by a home defender after Makamian had leapt to distract him.

Ifeacho and Fearon-Mcdonnell were now tearing at the home defence as was Green, all producing threats and opportunities, while Silva joined in later too, dazzling the home defence on one occasion before his cross slid excruciatingly across the face of the goal, with no Wood player on hand to turn it home this time. Montgomery kept marshalling the midfield efficiently while Carlow enjoyed another very solid display at centre back.

Time ran out in the end, the match ending 3-2 but, the Wood had reacted very well to a woeful start and showed considerable bottle and endeavour to do so. We take a lot from that and confidence was high as the boys left the pitch as it should be after the character that was ultimately shown.

After raising his performances in training considerably these last couple of weeks, Marshall produced a very good display between the sticks, making many excellent saves to keep a clean sheet second half. He deservedly took home the MoM award and his biggest supporter in this was our other keeper - El-Boukhari – who constantly encouraged him and his other team-mates whether on the pitch or not. Camaraderie and leadership of this nature is so good to see in a young man and without doubt will take this unit far as more and more of the boys follow his example.

Our U16 girls marched into the semi-finals of the Junior League Cup with a 6–2 victory away at Division 2 side Bury Rangers, in a tie where we were expected to progress but knew that cup football can always spring surprises.

Any early nerves were quickly settled when Abi opened the scoring inside five minutes, setting the tone for a dominant first-half display. She doubled her tally soon after with what started as a cross but drifted all the way into the net, before completing her hat-trick on 20 minutes by tapping home from close range after excellent work from Amie.

The pressure continued and debutant Olivia marked her first appearance for the club with her first goal, showing great persistence and a real striker’s instinct to finish from a tight angle. It capped an excellent half in which the back four were imperious, looking composed and confident in possession and providing a solid platform to build from.

There was also a welcome boost with Nisa returning in goal after three months out injured, and her presence gave the whole team added confidence. Hollie was a standout performer on the right side of midfield, particularly in the first half, driving the team forward and linking play effectively.

At 4–0 up at half-time and with the game largely under control, we were able to ring the changes and make full use of the squad depth.

The second half proved to be a closer contest and Bury pulled a goal back on 50 minutes. Any thoughts of a comeback were quickly extinguished, however, as Scarlett burst into the box and rifled an excellent finish into the bottom corner to restore the four-goal cushion.

A rare lapse at the back allowed the hosts a fortunate second goal, a looping cross that drifted into the far corner, but Olivia responded almost immediately with her second of the afternoon, striking well from the edge of the box to make it 6–2.

There were many bright moments throughout the game, with some lovely link-up play and strong performances across the pitch. Player of the match goes to Abi for a devastating hat trick which set us on the path the victory.

Attention now turns to the league for the next few weeks but on the horizon a Cup semi-final to look forward to.

U15 girls had another tough away trip to second placed St Albans Yellows. The squad is really suffering at the minute with a lack of numbers; we are now down to 12 players.

Skippy’s humerus bone fracture will possibly keep her out for 12 weeks which is a real blow to her and the team. Emily & Maisie have been off school all week with illness and haven’t trained, Elsie has Osgood’s in both knees causing her pain atm and Aanya is suffering with a lower back injury. So as a squad we are almost running on empty!

To go away to a top team like St Albans is difficult enough but with one hand tied behind your back a result is nigh on impossible to get. We would all try our best though and the girls did just that on the day.

The game started ok with early pressure from St Albans attacking our new look defence with Ava & Riss at CB with Yvie & TJ at full back. St Albans showed no mercy towards our defence and in a devastating 10 min spell were 3 up and cruising.

Aanya’s back eventually gave way and she couldn’t run and compete any more. Maisie had to then come on earlier than we’d hoped for. The girls really dug in for the rest of the first half and made the game a real contest out of true grit, stubbornness and a willingness to fight for each other. Somewhere along the way Poppy N tweaked her hamstring so we now had 10 fit players on the pitch with 2 of those recovering from illness all week!

At HT we tried to stay positive and talk about the things we did well, our aim was to try and stay closer together as a defensive unit and hit St Albans on the break with G9’s pace. Best laid plans didn’t work and St Albans scored another 2 goals to make it 5-0 to the home side.

Though the score doesn’t tell the story the defence played their hearts out and kept the score respectable and their needs to be a special mention for our warrior captain Annie whose stats would have been off the charts yesterday; Annie must have covered 15km in the game and was a shining star of commitment, quality and sheer bloody mindedness!

G9 got a fantastic consolation goal for the team after a cracking through ball from Yvie. Gabby picked the ball up on the half way line turned her marker and then beat the sweeper with pace and slotted the ball past the advancing keeper!

A tough day for all involved - players, coaches & parents - but not indicative of the team or our season, more so the moment we find ourselves in.

25/26 - The Word in the Wood #16

Posted on 11th January, 2026

The weather has taken its toll again with our U11 & U16 Girls' games called off, while the U18 Boys' opposition were unable to attend due to illness.

Our U15 girls had a very tough away day today vs league leaders Ruislip Rangers; a hard game on a normal weekend but after a 7 week break with no training and Ruislip having two games under their belts, it was going to be a tough ask!

The game started and Ruislip hit us whilst cold and were soon 2-0 up and cruising with our girls not knowing whether they were coming or going. We’re made of tough stuff though and started to fight back and get a foothold in the game.

We had a plan to help us stop Ruislip with our two fullbacks being very brave and pushing up into midfield and our No10 Aanya playing really high and trying to snuff out the excellent Ruislip No8; it started to work and the girls started to control the game and stop Ruislip getting forward. We went in 2 down but with new belief that our game plan was working and we were in the ascendancy.

The message was keep doing the same and next goal was key and we needed it. Well, two mins later we were 3 down and our best laid plans were on fire but, the girls kept on and G9 got on the scoresheet with a fine solo effort to make it 3-1. 5 minutes later our No10 Aanya made it 3-2 with a fine burst from midfield beating a tackle and shooting under the despairing GK. Game on and we were fighting for every ball and blade of grass!

The girls where immense and fully deserved to claw their way back, however, fitness was to be our Achilles heel though and we just ran out of puff today; Ruislip ran away with the game in the last 15 minutes to come away 6-2 winners. A real shame and not what a fine 65 minutes of good performance deserved but, that’s football.

We started on the back foot today with Maisie missing through illness. Lola was not 100% either but to her great credit, attended and put in a big shift, as did Elsie, suffering a knock but playing through the pain barrier! Unfortunately for the team and for star CB Poppy S, we received bad news confirming a humerus fracture. This was very unfortunate but, knowing how strong and determined Pop’s is, we know she’ll be back soon and wish her all the best during her recovery.

The Word In The Wood

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