Our U15 Boys were very unlucky today, an un-forecasted snap freeze at Pursley meaning their early kick off had to be postponed due to frozen ground. The sun came out later and though it was a close run thing, Pursley thawed out sufficiently by 12.30 for the U16 Boys to complete their latest league fixture.
The boys faced a very daunting task with the visit of St. Albans City FC at Pursley, an all-conquering side being reigning Herts FA County Champions, reigning WFL Red Division champions, and the current table toppers too. The boys were asked to compete from the very off and get to the ball first every time, and, as our senior side, produce a performance for the ages that would inspire all the club’s younger teams. A very big ask, but, definitely one these talented boys were capable off if they really wanted it, and, thankfully, they really, really did.
The first whistle blew and the team pounced on St. Albans like a wolf on a lamb, Silva winning three headers in the first two minutes to signal the team’s intent. The attack surged forward with Zefi, Carlow and Fan bossing it in the middle, Green & Makamian raiding down both wings, with Silva and Da Silva a box of tricks and substance up front. Rock solid at the back, Elboukhari was like a human mountain between the posts, screened by the equally resolute centre back trio of Pop, Boshjaku and Captain Crucefix, all of them in the meanest of moods and enjoying really tremendous matches. Hones and Manning came on to produce lung busting displays up and down the flanks, as did Collier, flinging himself about bravely in the middle. Marshall, like a berserker in battle, ran himself ragged up front, beating his chest like a wild man as he crashed into tackle after tackle! This then was a Wood team at their very best with a mindset and attitude that was faultless; sure as eggs are eggs, the inevitable happened.
BANG! Green leapt like a salmon to win the ball, Silva doing the same for the second ball; Da Silva beat the keeper to the loose ball and calmly rolled home: 1-0 to the Wood.
BIFF! Crucefix drilled a beautiful long pass into Silva who plucked it out the sky and skinned the away defence. They took him down but, he caressed a beautiful free kick into the St. Albans corridor of uncertainty for Da Silva to dispatch with outstanding movement. St. Albans pulled one back from the spot shortly after: 2-1 to the Wood.
KAPOW! In-form and tough as teak, Pop launched a huge throw to Da Silva who gathered it up expertly before shimmying to tee up Silva perfectly, the Wood’s top scorer firing unerringly, low and hard, for his 17th goal of what is fast developing into an incredible season: 3-1 to the Wood.
BAM! Pop was first to the ball, releasing MoM Makamian, who continues to build in confidence and performance; he danced past the St. Albans defence before being cruelly hacked down. Leaping up, he hammered home the penalty: 4-1 to the Wood.
KER-SPLOOSH! Collier first to the ball again in midfield, feeding Silva who dazzled his markers before releasing Da Silva. This guy has the fastest feet in the West and they were too much for his marker as he was taken out in the box. Springing up, he completed an outstanding hatrick from the spot: 5-1 Wood.
City pulled another back from the spot to make it 5-2 at half time but, the Wood’s defending was solid and couldn’t be faulted. Though the pace dropped off a little, the team worked hard second half up the hill and almost scored more when Silva might have got something after rounding the keeper and then also hit the side netting after the keeper was rounded again, this time courtesy of some outstanding play from Carlow, who grew stronger and stronger as the match played out. Boshjaku also made towering headers as the match reach its climax and these proved really crucial in sealing the result.
As the final whistle blew, the Wood recorded a famous victory right up there with anything the club has achieved previously, dismantling a very successful and quality side, whilst surging up the league table with an invaluable three points. After the game, Manager Makamian took time out of his busy schedule to deliver an ad-free, meet and greet with Al-Jazeera News Network and said, “I’ve been training and playing with these boys for years now and know how good they are. Others might be, but, I’m not surprised at this performance as they are very talented. When they apply themselves like today they can be the very best but, all youngsters need a moment that makes them truly believe in themselves and each other. That moment arrived for this team today; now they know what they are capable off, they will go from strength to strength.”
Well said that man and with that he headed for the hut and one of Mary's special bacon rolls!
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With our U10 & U15 Girls without games this week, it was left to our U14s to do the business on Super Saturday!
The girls had a tough away day against their very good friends at Bury Rangers, the winner gaining the honour of making the Herts FA County cup semi final! We’ve played Bury twice this year with two totally different games: the first we played them off the park and recently in the return Bury were very unlucky not to leave Pursley with 3 points. So we knew today was going to be an arm wrestle at times and maybe be won by the most stubborn team, the one who just wouldn’t be beaten?
The game started at a pace, we wanted this to impose our superiority with the ball quickly, producing some quick early breaks and pressuring Bury. Playing our normal 1-4-5-1 system, G9 was probing the home defence with Lonaldo also looking on form at one of her favourite grounds, bagging a hat trick last time in Bury territory! Elsinho on the right teasing the Bury fullback with twists and turns. Yvie was given a new role as CDM today in the absence of Poppy N; she did some sterling work breaking up play and being available for the ball at all times. Our captain fantastic Annie and our schemer Aanya completing the midfield.
The midfield won the ball back high and it was swept out wide to Lonaldo, who spotted the early movement of G9; Lo played an early ball to Gabby who beat her marker to the ball and finished calmly into the bottom for a well deserved and worked 1-0 lead. The day was going how we wanted it: lots of possession, creativity in midfield and attack but some good defending and a good GK kept us out.
At the other end the back 5 of GK Emily who was to be POM today with Isabella, Ava, Poppy S & Theaya making up a formidable back line. Today these girls needed to stand up and be counted more so than ever. The nerves of the big game were evident at times but, our wall at the back held fast. A mention for Poppy S who was imperious today: pace, power, tenacity and a will to defend to the very last! Bury equalised against the run of play late in the 1st half to make it 1-1 at HT.
Again we focused at HT on possible outcomes to prepare the girls mentally for all situations; we hoped to get the next goal but it wouldn't be the end of the game if not. The half started in a very similar vein, Jet came into midfield and her nous and close control started to get us moving forward with her ability to break the lines with a 5yd pass. Hazel was working her socks of for the team up and down the flank trying to make a difference and she did on more than one occasion beat her opponent. Hazel's selfless running often permeates through the team and raises us to new levels. Meanwhile, Sophie came in on the left which isn’t her natural position, however, she tried her best for the team and kept us on the front foot.
The game was a little end to end with the quality coming from the Wood with G9 having a ding dong battle with an excellent Bury CB. The game needed something special and boy did we get it! Lonaldo picked the ball up some 40yds from goal she beat one marker and drew another, dropped a shoulder and let fly a thunderbolt from the gods from all of 30/35 yds that flew over and past the excellent Bury GK and into the roof of the net! This caused pandemonium on the sidelines as it was a goal worthy of winning this and any tie! 2-1 the Wood.
Was that the winner? The girls didn’t wait to see now playing our second system of 1-3-5-2, with our two No9s - Sophie & G9 - pushing Bury back; aided by our wingers we sometimes had 4 up front in an attempt to play the game in Bury’s half. This obviously presented some risk and we lost a ball in midfield which was a definite mix up of our own making and Bury cleared long over Isabella’s head at RB. The resulting throw which was called a foul throw by manager Dave as it was taken, somehow coughed up a shot and the ball looped over the helpless Marissa’s head in goal. 2-2 and a little anticlimactic for the Wood but how would we respond? Only one way and this was to attack, attack, attack; the Bury goal led a very charmed life for the last 10 mins but to penalties we went.
If you’ve ever taken pens you know it’s about cojones and mental toughness more so than skill. We asked the girls and 5 tough young women stepped forward: Ava, Poppy S, Sophie, Theaya & Jet. While we still had our secret weapon - GK Emily - who we knew would always save one and possibly 2! After 4 pens each we were tied 4-4 with Bury and Emily did save one so then to sudden death pens! Emily saved again leaving Hazel to take the most important kick of her fledgling football career. Was she nervous, hell yeah! Could she execute, hell yeah, top bins and we go through to the Herts FA County Cup semi finals; Come on the wood 💪💪😍!!!