24/25 - The Word in the Wood #23

Our U15 Boys went into their quarter final vs Evergreen on the back of their best performance of the season, hoping they could take their good form into the game and avenge the 2-0 loss against Evergreen from back in January. The boys had been up for the game all week and knew what they had to do.

The game started at a frantic pace with chances coming for both teams. The Wood's prolific forward - Lennard - was the difference though, racing through one on one with the keeper and finishing for his 22nd goal of the season. The Wood then seemed to sit deep and encourage Evergreen on to them, though Torshakani in goal was sweeping up well and commanding his area.

Evergreen kept looking to use the long ball for their forwards to chase. With Adom and Fernando winning the battle well, full backs Mill, Hebblethwaite and Sutherland swept round well to help whenever needed. The latter, Sutherland, was strong throughout, both going forward and when defending and in such a big game it was a great time to have his best game for the club!

The Wood looked dangerous themselves going forward with Staszewski and Sheppard a constant threat. After some good work in the midfield from the impressive Gilsenan, Staszewski raced away to force the Evergreen keeper into a good save; the ball fell to Lennard who was also denied from another super save!

Half time soon followed and although Borehamwood hadn’t played at their best they went in leading 1-0 at half time. 2000 had to take control of the midfield in the second half and get the ball down.

Joyce started to break the game up and Gilsenan stepped up when needed and really started to drive the team forward. Chen replaced Sheppard and was an instant threat with his pace in behind.

Evergreen got a dangerous free kick on the edge of box. The Evergreen player struck the ball as sweetly as possibly but Torshakani was having none of it, diving high to his left he acrobatically flipped the ball over the bar to keep his team in the lead!

With the game finely balanced it was Chen whose pressure would be vital for the next goal. After some great work, he managed to chase down a lost cause and force a mistake from the keeper. It fell to the feet of Arms talisman Lennard who not only finished well but broke Evergreen hearts.

Murphy, Parratt and Smith came on to add some legs into the game and fitted in really well. With Evergreen pushing desperately for a goal, it meant the space started to open up for the Wood to hit them on the counter attack. Gilsenan went close following a great ball from Fernando, then Chen picked the ball up on the left and cut inside two players; he got off his shot but was again denied, the keeper pushing his fierce effort on to the post! Lennard also went close following a great ball into the box, but, the game soon came to an end and the mighty Wood army had done it and were safely through to the semi final!!

With promotion still in the balance and the boys still in two cups, the Wood are looking good for a big run in. Well done to Craig, Matt and the boys and exciting times are ahead!!

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Our U16 Boys faced Enfield Town in the league at Pursley, trying to build on a good run of form that had seen 3 wins out of the last 4 games in all competitions. The Wood had already beaten Enfield twice this season but, both games were very tight and another hard match was expected. With unwelcome distractions from the away team’s staff regarding ID cards and kit, the team's improving focus would be tested thoroughly.

However, the boys understood the importance of the win to maintain momentum and played a really solid match. The commanding Elboukhari continued his good form between the posts as did the Wood’s teak units ahead of him: Boshjaku, Hones and Ifeacho, all of them working so hard to head, tackle and clear the offensive threat from Enfield.

Unlike last week, the Wood’s midfield were at it too and much improved performances were seen from Zefi and Carlow in the centre, covering so much more ground together. Collier continued his solid form, while Green and Makamian were flashing up and down the wings in both directions, adding greatly to the team’s potency. Up front, the postmen - Captain Silva and Da Silva - delivered again after fine work from Collier, combining brilliantly for Silva to slam home Da Silva’s stunning cross, giving the Wood a hard earned lead.

In the past, one goal would not have been enough but, the Wood are developing a steelier core and the boys continued to compete, first to the ball and committed. Montgomery and Marshall joined the fray and certainly did their bit too, as did Manning, whose last ditch headed clearance stopped a certain Enfield equaliser. MoM McGuinness ran the wings hard himself and delivered two exceptional crosses as well as several vital defensive clearances.

Though Collier shot narrowly wide and Da Silva smashed the post, the Wood were unable to score again. However, when you have one already, you don’t need any more if you keep it tight at the back. The boys are learning that now, focusing much sharper and putting in the required behaviour and effort to keep clean sheets and deliver big results. In addition, the team were very vocal today which proves comunication and responsibility for what happens on the pitch is moving from the staff to the players, just as it should do at this age.

Much credit goes to the lads and we go again next week.

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This weekend saw the Wood’s U15 Girls take on Division 1 side Hitchin Belles in the eagerly anticipated Herts FA County Cup semi final. A glorious sunny day and astroturf pitch, meant the game was definitely not going to be postponed again and that spectators turned up in their numbers to watch a great game of football.

Hitchin started very well indeed and definitely settled into the game the quickest.   The hosts pressed and harried us when we had the ball and when we relinquished possession that made us work very hard to get it back. Hitchin deservedly took the lead on 6mins with a wonderful goal,; a volley direct from a corner, which we could to nothing to stop.

Hitchin continued to enjoy more possession as the half wore on and this resulted in us defending as a team. In fairness, we did that part very well with the back four marshalled by Player of the Match Leni, protecting Nisa in goal very well so there were few chances of note for the hosts.

We lacked our usual fluidity on the ball as Hitchin forced us into long passes that we didn’t need to do, but with these we were able to keep their back four turning towards their own goal and we managed to keep in the game and grew with confidence as the half progressed.  

Shortly before half time we got a deserved equaliser through Louella who slotted calmly past the keeper after a sublime through ball from Amie, and so we went in at half time level, deservedly, and still very much in the game.

At half time our focus was on shortening up the passing and moving the ball a bit quicker to avoid the press. We did that really well and in the second half we probably had more possession and it felt like we could go on and win it. We kept pushing for that goal but were also wary of the threat that Hitchin posed on the counter attack. In the end, both teams had run themselves ragged and, therefore, perhaps settled for the draw which took the tie to penalties?

The effort put into this performance was superb, and needed to be against a very good side. Lilly VT was immense in the midfield engine room, and set the tone for the rest of the team to follow and they duly did.  So many good performances and for Leni, Amie, Lilly and Louella in particular, season’s best matches were needed and provided. Everybody played their part, including those coming off the bench to bring fresh legs when we were starting to tire.

And so we went to penalties and it was an absolute nail biter.  Both teams scored 3 out of 5, with Abi, Lilly VT and Scarlett all scoring for The Wood.  As we headed into sudden death it was skipper Leni who stepped forward and found the corner of the next.  Next up it was Milly and Missy who both scored under immense pressure and we led 6-5. 

Penalty number 8 for the hosts was the last kick off the contest as Nisa made a great stop to win us the game, which cued thoroughly deserved and wild celebrations from the girls and spectators! This was an outstanding team performance against a very good side. To come back from conceding so early and having to work so hard to compete and play our way back into the game, deserves great credit.  

It is moments like this, that really forge teams together and this feels like a pivotal moment for this great group, who have only been playing together since September. In contrast our magnanimous hosts have been together as a group since u8-u10s for the majority.

A place in the Herts FA County Cup final now awaits against a very strong Bengeo Tigers side on 22nd March. We know this will be a huge game test but we fear nobody and will do our very best to put in another great performance for this fabulous club!

Huge congratulations to the girls, manager Joe, and coaches Kristi and David, on what is an incredible achievement. Full details for the final will be sent out soon and there is no doubt it will be a great occasion and experience for the girls, the staff and our club!

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