Our U16 Boys faced Borehamwood Youth away in the league, trying to secure another three points and maintain the excellent progress made of late. Focus would be key and no easy challenge at a buzzing ground with so much going on and an opposition containing many school friends. So many things to distract a young player; how would the boys cope?
In truth, the first half saw the boys struggle to get it right, starting slowly as a unit and waiting for a team-mate to take the lead, rather than taking that responsibility on themselves. Though the Wood took the lead twice through Silva and then through Fan, our defensive unit, so efficient in recent matches, lacked composure when far cooler heads were required. The many long balls hoisted their way were allowed to bounce too often and both silly fouls and possession were gifted continuously. The opposition prospered and fought back to level the match and keeper Elboukhari was forced to pull off a world class save from a free kick destined for the stanchion, somehow turning the effort on to the crossbar and away for a corner, and thus ensuring the match stayed level at half time.
During the break, the team talk focused not on tactics or technique, instead on how best to deal with difficult situations such as that we faced today, when one’s character is called in to question. In such moments, young men need to show pride and fight, imposing their own characters to come out on top. That was the challenge laid down and the boys went out second half and showed what they were really about, putting on a clinic in offensive football and scoring goals of the very highest calibre.
Central to this was MoM Fan who’s desire to succeed shone through like a beacon, driving his team forward in a performance for the ages. First, he produced a stunning finish with the outside of his right boot that saw the Wood go 2-3 up. Minutes after, he was first to the ball again, producing a sublime first time finish from distance that soared over the playing field to nestle in the net; a goal of the very highest quality, a hatrick of the same calibre.
More Wood chances came and went and Carlow was bossing the midfield now, a huge physical presence and one using the ball really efficiently. However, with too many corners and free kicks conceded generally, too many long balls allowed to bounce, the Youth were allowed to score twice more, levelling the match again.
The Wood were not to be denied though, Da Silva winning and taking a penalty kick to regain the lead and then the industrious Crucefix burying a last minute effort after excellent work from Green, who was very lively on the wing.
The match ended 4-6, the Wood’s boys passed a test of character in difficult conditions and the three points were bagged. We can do better and know all the goals conceded today were highly preventable and largely down to our own actions and a lack of quality and composure. However, no one's perfect and the boys are young with plenty of time to learn and master the game. So, for now, we relax and enjoy the fruits of our labours, then back to training to work hard and keep improving.
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Our U15 Boys drew the short straw in the Challenge Cup, facing the current leaders of West Herts Div 1 - Chorleywood Wolves - in what would be a very tough assignment made harder by the absence of key players. Chorleywood won out but, the Wood fought hard all game and even breached the Wolves' goal, the match ending 6-1.
Much was learnt through this tough test and the boys' belief continues to grow as their improvements show the gap between them and teams of today's calibre is growing smaller by the week.
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The Wood’s U15 Girls edged a point closer to promotion and remain in the hunt for the title with a hard fought draw against Watford Ladies. The stage was set for a victory to take us top, on a gloriously sunny (but cold) day at Pursley, but it wasn’t to be and in the end the draw was a fair result.
The visitors started the better and with their physicality and direct style they caused us a few early problems, and credit to them. They didn’t allow us time to settle on the ball anywhere on the pitch and some of our passing on a bobbly pitch was a bit rushed and loose in the first half as we struggled to get on top. We grew into the game as the half wore on but neither keeper was forced into any big saves in the first half and we went in at the break 0-0 for the first time this season.
The second half followed much the same pattern although we were now finding space down the wings with some more consistency. On 66 mins we took the lead through Louella (who else) with another clean finish when put through on goal by Missy. This seemed to settle us and brought a bit more confidence to our passing. Their keeper came out well to deny Milly and then Gabriela and had the second goal gone in then it would have been game over.
The second goal didn’t come and we were hit with a sucker punch on the last minute when a very rare mix up at the back allowed Watford to sneak an equaliser. You have to say it was deserved over the course of the whole game but to concede so late was a painful one to take.
This was a very well contested game from start to finish and good preparation for us as we go into the Herst FA County Cup final next weekend. We know we can improve in some aspects but the effort and energy put into this game was superb, as always. And speaking of energy, player of the match was Lilly VT (as voted for by the opposition) and very well deserved too.
This was not our finest performance of the season but this was a tough opponent and a draw is another point closer to our end goal, so well done all.
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Our U14s maintained their push for promotion with a stunning 0-8 away victory at BSFC while our U10 Girls were in fine form at home to Bury Rangers.