On a rainy day at Pursley, our U16 Boys faced Whetstone Leopards looking to kick start their season after a hard loss last week.
In goal, Elboukhari made his competitive debut for the team, enjoying an assured display, with good handling, decision making and kicking. Ahead of him though, our centre backs played an edgy first half, failing to win the aerial battle and lacking quality on the ball. This ran through the team after a somewhat sluggish start but, clear early chances were still made; these were not converted and Whetstone profited, enjoying a strong half where their press and endeavour was greater than the Wood’s. However, Song, enjoying a hardworking cameo produced a smart effort that worked the away keeper before a nice team passing move fed Da Silva and saw him produce a sublime finish to put the Wood 1-0 up at the break, a scoreline that perhaps didn’t reflect the run of play up to then?
Anyway, the second half was a different matter as the Wood took to the field rejuvenated, with Silva joining the fray after a period of absence to injury. It was a pleasure to see this gifted and strong-minded young man back out on the grass and with Montgomery making a lung busting and spirited contribution in the centre and Green similarly lively down the right flank, the team piled on to Whetstone.
Manning and Fan played fine balls that turned the away team back to their goal and Ifeacho lunged like a tiger on a lamb as the Whetstone defender slipped, drilling the ball home for 2-0. Shortly after, Fan threw himself into a tackle, winning the ball and sending it flying into the top bag for 3-0, with the match ending this score despite many further Wood chances. Three good points and the production of some very good football indeed.
MoM was a close affair with Crucefix producing a top quality performance at centre half second half, his touch and quality on the ball acting like a balm to calm the team’s play, while Zefi grew into the holding role, snuffing out Whetstone forays before they reached the Wood defence. Ultimately, though, the day belonged to Silva, no better example of great strength and courage in the face of adversity; take a long bow young man, it is just great to have you back, seemingly even better than ever!
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U14 girls had their long awaited first home game of the new season today. On a beautiful sun kissed morning at Pursley, it was perfect for a game of football vs our good friends at Hemel Town. Our girls were chomping at the bit to get their first win today after a frustrating start to the season. We have been creating so many chances and not converting them and it’s cost us too many points early doors that we really shouldn’t be dropping. Someone very soon is going to be unlucky and get a football spanking if this form continues!
The girls were very quick out the blocks again this week with Karadonna terrorising Hemel’s left back in a fine display from her today. Hazel on the opposite wing was also in fine fettle as was No9 Gabby who was causing havoc in the Hemel defence.
It wouldn’t be long for Gabby to get her first of the day, skipper Annie with a fantastic assist after a driving run from midfield found Gabby who produced a sublime finish for 1-0 to the Wood. Hazel who was a constant thorn in Hemel’s side with her tireless running and tigerish attitude was sensing goals too; after some fine inter play with Gabby she was to make it 2-0 to the Wood with an effortless left foot finish on 15 mins. Hemel tried to fight back but couldn’t get past the Wood midfield three of Lucy, our skipper Annie and schemer Aanya!
The back four today had one of their easier games with Yvie at right back, Poppy S and Ava our dominant centre backs and Theaya at right back all showing assured calmness and a steely will to give no quarter. On 20 mins we made changes and Pheidi came on for Lucy with Isabella on for Theaya, Poppy for Aanya and Elsie for twin Annie. The four new players instantly picked up the rhythm of the game with Pheidi throwing herself into challenge after challenge, Isabella’s introduction would soon bear fruit too.
Isabella harried her player to win the ball high and drive at the Hemel defence, she then played a slide rule pass through the defence to release Gabby to score her second of the day to make it 3-0 to the Wood!! And that’s how the first half finished, we don’t know how as we hit the post twice as well!
The second half saw Hemel came out and they were fighting to stay in the game, and for their own personal pride; and the girls in red definitely did that and they more than held their own. The Wood attacked time and time again especially down Hazel’s left flank, she hit the post again as did Kara and the Hemel keeper also made some good saves.
Kara switched from the wing to the 10 behind Poppy N and Gabby at half time, Poppy N broke through and just missed out on opening her account for the team; it’s coming soon for this young lady though. Kara’s was prodding and probing for weakness and she found them time and time again as did Aanya who fed Elsinho on the right who was starting to dominate her full back and was also very unlucky not to notch today.
Elsie got a ball off Lucy and burst forward, she played Gabby in but it looked like the chance wouldn’t come as 3 Hemel defenders came to try and close the door on Gabby, she wasn’t having it though and dropped her shoulder left then right beat two players, powered through the third and dispatched the ball and got her well deserved first hat trick for the Wood. Gabby also won POM today for her all round unselfishness and great goalscoring. 4-0 the Wood and we still had time to hit the post again. Riss our GK for the day had little to do today but what she did do was excellent as usual.
We managed to score 4 today, defensively keep a well deserved clean sheet as the back six unit of interchangeable girls is starting to get very miserly which sets the rest of the team up. We also managed to hit the post SIX times today!! Never seen that in my 44 years being involved in football. Well done to all our amazing U14 girls!
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Our U10 Girls were in cracking form, putting on a scintillating performance and continuing their excellent start to the season playing a determined Wheathampstead Wanderers despite missing their regular goalkeeper. However, Borehamwood’s versatility shone through as Juniper and Gracie stepped into the gloves and pulled off a series of remarkable saves.
Led out by Captain Tippi, the match kicked off at a furious pace, with Borehamwood’s attacking trio of Elsie, Tippi and Daisy linking up with sublime ease. Pinpoint passing and sharp movement immediately put the pressure on Wheathampstead. Ruby, dictating the game from her central midfield role, was the engine behind the Wood's attacking flow, setting the tempo with authority.
It wasn’t long before the deadlock was broken. Tippi, showing her vision, threaded a perfectly weighted pass through the middle; Daisy, cool as you like, slotted it home. It was end-to-end action from the off, with Maisie making vital clearances at the back and frustrating Wheathampstead’s strikers.
In the second quarter, Borehamwood turned up the heat. Daisy was unlucky hitting the post twice, but the defensive duo of Tippi and Maisie proved impenetrable, neutralizing any danger from the Wanderers' front line. Elsie, dazzling with her footwork, fired a stinging shot from the left that was well saved, only for Juniper to pounce on the rebound and smash home Borehamwood’s second.
Elsie, not to be outdone, soon added a third in a fantastic solo effort, darting down the wing and cutting inside to blast the ball into the net. It was a moment of pure individual brilliance. Sienna and Ruby shared goalkeeping duties in this period, and both showcased their adaptability by making some important saves.
The third quarter saw Borehamwood face an uphill battle, as Wheathampstead brought on an eighth player during a power play period, yet Gracie, back in goal, was rock solid. Ruby, now pushed forward, covered every inch of the pitch with her relentless energy. Another flowing Borehamwood move saw Ruby pick out Elsie, who calmly slotted home her third of the game to complete her hat trick. Maisie, meanwhile, was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet, coming close on several occasions.
By the time the fourth quarter arrived, Borehamwood were in full control, but there was no let-up in their intensity. Juniper, back between the sticks, pulled off some brave saves at the feet of the opposition, while Daisy continued to spray passes left and right, dictating the game. Tippi, showing true grit, twisted and turned down the right wing with some brilliant skill, and Maisie, now leading the line, kept up the pressure on the Wheathampstead defence.
Elsie added a fourth to her tally, finishing off a Maisie pass with a brilliant strike, and within minutes, then completed her fifth with a clinical finish straight from a goal kick. The game grew increasingly physical, and Borehamwood had to dig deep to keep their advantage. Daisy took a heavy knock to the neck, forcing her off, but Gracie stepped in to inject fresh energy into the side. Ruby and Sienna were relentless in defence, with Ruby putting in some crunching tackles and Sienna chasing down every opposition player.
Todays performance was built on outstanding teamwork, slick passing, and sheer determination. Borehamwood have now racked up an incredible 18 goals in their first three matches – a remarkable achievement that will have the rest of the league sitting up and taking notice. A true footballing masterclass on a glorious sunny day. PoM went to Tippi for visionary passing, for her positional awareness and a growing ability to read the game and act as a safety net for the team when defending.
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Our U15s made the long journey to Hayes to play fellow early pace setters Brook House.
The Wood had the better of the first half but failed to capitalise on some good territory, unable to get shots away when in good positions. Several other attacks were thwarted by an overly eager linesman’s flag when Louella looked to have timed her runs well.
At the other end a superb first half by both fullbacks - Leni and Lilly B - kept the excellent Brook House wingers very quiet and as a team we limited them to very little for most of the first half and we looked comfortable. The hosts ended the half well; a stunning, close range save from Nisa on 30mins being the first clear chance they created, and it really was a great save. Sadly for us, they took the lead a few minutes just before half time which was largely against the run of play and not what we deserved.
The second half was closely contested and although we played the better football, the hosts had the better chances, getting lots of joy from long balls forwards. Nisa was excellent making a string of fine saves in the second half. Missy also excelled at left back, stepping in for Lilly who was withdrawn on the stroke of half time after a blow to the head.
In the end we couldn’t quite create enough clear chances to get ourselves back level and to be fair to the opposition, they made things difficult for us all across the pitch. They were well organised, physical, and determined to hang on to their slender lead which they duly did.
The Wood are learning week on week and although we lost today we proved we can go toe to toe with the best teams in the Division which is great for such a new team. Player of the Match went to Nisa for an excellent game in goal.