The mighty U15 Boys Wood Army went over to Harvesters in the Challenge Cup today knowing they would have to be at their best to win against a good side two divisions higher than them. After a close friendly in the summer the Wood management team had confidence that a win was achievable.
Borehamwood have started the year off well and were looking to build on this with another good cup run. 2000 came flying out of the blocks with some great link up play between Sheppard, Lennard and Staszewksi. The latter spun his man to send a dangerous cross into the box; the ball was only half cleared to the impressive Gilsenan who struck it first time off of his team mate Sheppard to make it 0-1 and give the Wood just the start they wanted.
The Wood weren’t done there and with Fernando and Adom tightly marking Harvesters’ main threat closer than two coats of paint, the Wood could build on this every time they and stand in Keeper Smith mopped up the long balls coming their way. With both full backs Sutherland and Mill pushing on, the threat wide was constant. Following another cross into the box the ball fell to Joyce on the edge of the box who pulled off a moment of class that would have not looked out of place at any level. With his instep he flicked the ball over the on-rushing defender and then volleyed it into the bottom corner to send the team into hysteria (with some high pitched noises coming from Sheppard). 0-2 and the Wood were purring, the onslaught continued.
McGregor, Joyce and Gilsenan had the game by the scruff of the neck and kept playing in the wide men. Following another cross into the box from Staszewski, a looping clearance was about to be flicked on from Gilsenan before he was wiped out with a big shove in the back resulting in a penalty. Up stepped the ever reliable Staszewski to send the keeper the wrong way from the spot and make it 0-3 to Borehamwood. Birthday boy Murphy replaced the injured Gilsenan and picked up where he left off with another impressive performance.
The action wasn’t over for the half though, when a clumsy tackle sent the Harvesters forward over in the box. The penalty was converted to make it 1-3 with the last kick of the half. The team spoke about all the good work of the first half and the worldie goal meaning absolutely nothing if they didn’t carry on with the same tempo and effort.
Hebblethwaite replaced the impressive Sutherland and got straight into the game looking after the tricky winger. The game had changed slightly and the Wood sat back slightly deep and panicked a bit on the ball and it kept coming back at them. But the trio of Adom, Fernando and Smith in goal we’re never going to be denied today; man of the match and captain Adom pushed himself and the team throughout and didn’t put a foot wrong all game.
A trio of subs saw Parratt, Chen and Evans replace Lennard, Sheppard and Mill. All 3 had done their bit for the team and had played well. Chen was a constant threat to the full back out wide, Evans slotted in well at left back and Parratt kept the ball well with his traditional Samba flair! 😆
The Wood really had to dig deep but without ever giving away any clear cut chances. A long shot from 20 yards though was saved well from Smith for a corner with seconds to go. From the resulting corner a half clearance was closed down with pace from Chen, who managed to win the ball and then find a pass to McGregor. He was one on one with the keeper, the keeper chose to come running out which gave McGregor the opportunity to roll it past him from 40 yards to put the cherry on top of a great team performance.
Firstly, massive thanks has to go to the stand in keeper Smith who played the full game and didn’t look out of place once. He’s a top lad who puts his team before himself and he showed that today.
It’s a real show of what this team can do when they are switched on and up for it from the first minute. If the boys can bring this form into next week’s League cup quarter final then we’re sure there will be only one winner!
-
Our U16 Boys played away in the league at HMH Hawks, keen to avenge a 0-1 defeat at home to this opponent earlier in the season, when the lads missed a hatful of chances and then lost to a costly penalty as the game was drawing to a close. Everything that happened that day was a result of what the Wood didn’t do; not taking the opponent seriously, not focusing in warm-up, starting slowly, missing easy chances then losing concentration at the back.
Today though saw a different approach from the team who understood the importance of a good performance and three league points, who cut out the messing around pre-match and focused hard. When the boys do that they are a force to be reckoned with and so it proved as they took the game to HMH. In the opening seconds, gilt-edged chances were created and though these were repeatedly missed, the Wood’s centre back trio of Ifeacho, Hones and Boshjaku, along with keeper Elboukhari were really sharp, dominating in the air and working hard to ensure the Wood didn’t concede. All powerful, tall, athletic figures, they played the way they looked and were successful in their constant efforts to keep HMH at bay. This in turn, provided the platform for the Wood’s attack to keep probing and with the quality they have, a goal was never far away. So it was as Fan, enjoying another very strong performance, fired home for his 7th of the season; this one a key goal that broke the Hawk's spirit and filled the Wood with confidence.
The second half saw the Wood run riot. Top scorer Silva added two goals to his tally, notching 18 & 19 for the season with two smart finishes, one that saw him round the keeper and fire into an empty net. Da Silva, his partner in crime up front did the same to claim his 11th of the campaign. These three players also hit the post and bar a further 4 times and were simply too hot to handle producing a masterclass in attacking football, full of flare and adventure. Collier, enjoying a solid game on the right midfield also added to the barrage, firing in a super long effort that was well saved by the home keeper.
All the while the defence stood strong and were switched on right to the final whistle, with Elboukhari producing a wonder save from a home free kick that was heading into the top corner, acrobatically palming the effort over the crossbar to ensure that vital clean sheet was secured.
The boys can do better and many of the players in attendance today did not show enough quality or work hard enough for the team, pressing was slack and possession was gifted to the opposition far too many times. However, even so, with a solid defence and a lively attack, a comfortable win ensued and momentum has been built.
MoM was shared. Ifeacho slipped seamlessly back into defence to totally transform the team’s capabilities in this area and enjoyed an incredible match. Also though, Montgomery returned to the squad after a 19 week absence during which he has suffered with serious illness. Fighting back with strength and determination, he again graced the pitch today, putting in a mighty shift and proving that you just can’t keep a good guy down. Take a very long bow young man and go forward with pride.
-
Borehamwood 2000 Under 10’s girls travelled to Welwyn to take on a strong Welwyn United Rubies side in what turned out to be a pulsating match filled with heart, determination, and unforgettable moments.
Led out by captain Tippi, Borehamwood 2000 set the tone from the first whistle with a clear game plan to attack with purpose and press high. The opening minutes saw blistering pace from Ruby up front, whose pinpoint pass found Elsie. Elsie’s shot narrowly missed the target, setting the standard for what would become an exciting contest. Moments later, Elsie turned provider, crossing to Daisy who came agonisingly close with a strike that skimmed inches over the bar. The attacking trio were linking up beautifully, showing the chemistry of a team playing for each other.
At the heart of the defence, Amber stood strong, breaking up play and driving forward to release the ball to the wings. The end-to-end action kept everyone on their toes, with Olivia called into action, making a fearless 1v1 save to deny Welwyn an early breakthrough. Tippi and Anisia made crucial clearances to ease the pressure, showing calm heads under pressure.
As the game moved into the second quarter, Olivia’s heroics in goal became the stuff of legend, pulling off a string of sprawling saves that had the travelling supporters chanting her name. Down the right wing, Daisy’s intelligent movement and powerful right foot were a constant threat. Her pinpoint cross found Juniper, who calmly slotted home the opening goal - a moment that ignited the Borehamwood belief.
Gracie was introduced into the defence and immediately made her presence felt with a brave, crunching tackle. Despite rolling her ankle, she dusted herself off and carried on - a true display of grit. Juniper’s strength and speed through the middle opened up more chances, and a dazzling solo run from Elsie, capped off with a slick spin, setting up Juniper to blast home her second goal.
The third quarter was nail-biting, with heavy tackles flying in from both sides. Anisia’s tireless tracking back and smart distribution opened up the wings again, and Daisy took full advantage. Picking up the ball on the right, she unleashed a rocket of a shot into the top corner – a goal that will live long in the memory.
Maisie slotted into midfield seamlessly, showing amazing first touches and relentless tenacity against a physical Welwyn side. When Welwyn threatened to break through, Tippi made a crunching tackle to snuff out the danger. Ruby’s quick feet dazzled the opposition, while Anisia showed immense character after taking a ball to the head, dusting herself off and continuing to give everything for the team.
Juniper completed her hat-trick with a clinical finish, rounding off a flowing move that saw Daisy unselfishly set her up. Now in the final quarter, tensions were sky-high, with nothing between the two teams. Gracie and Amber stood firm at the back, while Olivia continued to produce brave, perfectly timed saves. Ruby’s footwork left defenders chasing shadows, and Maisie showed her growing confidence with some superb passes.
With the final seconds ticking down, the ball broke free to Elsie. She could have gone for glory herself, but in the spirit of teamwork that defines this group, she looked up and found Juniper. One touch and bang – the ball nestled into the bottom corner for Juniper’s fourth goal and Borehamwood’s fifth. The crowd erupted as the final whistle blew.
Both teams shook hands in a brilliant display of sportsmanship, but there was no doubt that Borehamwood 2000’s grit, determination, and unwavering team spirit had shone through. Every player left everything on the pitch, showing physical and mental strength that only great teams possess.
Player of the Match: Olivia – for a fearless performance in goal, making countless saves and showing outstanding reading of the game. An asset to any team and the beating heart of this incredible display.
Well done Borehamwood 2000. A team united by passion, hard work, and the unbreakable bond of playing for each other!
-
Meanwhile, our U14 Girls picked up a super 4-2 home win against Panshanger Lionesses to maintain their promotion push!
-